Chess Instructor

I have always loved chess, ever since my Dad taught me to play at age seven.  I seemed to have a knack for the game and soon began winning (Dad's specialty is checkers and he still easily beats me in that game to this day).  An interesting fact about chess is that there are more possible chess positions (a minimum of 10⁴⁰) than stars in the sky (10²¹).  This means that a person could spend his or her entire life studying the game and never understand everything about it.  Also, chess has an aesthetic aspect which is sometimes not apparent to the uninitiated.  As I sometimes say, chess is art for logicians.

Chess instruction is a unique way to make a living, and I must say that I enjoy it very much.  I work a fair number of hours each week, but I set my schedule, so I have no complaints.  I have lost count of the number of folks who have said something to me like, "I would do anything to have your job."  I am sure they exaggerated, but there was a little truth in what they said.

Since I began teaching full time, the most noticeable benefit for me has been a personality makeover.  I have been transformed from my previously introverted persona through the simple process of getting up in front of students to teach classes day after day since 2002.  Working with children has been very rewarding.  The expression of pride and accomplishment on the faces of students or an occasional hug from some of the younger kids makes all of the effort worthwhile.

I also conduct multiple scholastic chess camps every summer and one each winter.  It is great, great fun to be in the vortex of energy which these camps embody.  You should be so lucky!

I am proud of what I have accomplished since starting as a full-time chess instructor in 2002.  In that period, I coached four scholastic chess teams to Virginia state championship titles and two of my star pupils won individual Virginia state championship titles.  In addition, I have received four Virginia Chess Coach of the Year awards at the annual state chess championships.

Nope.  I worked as a computer systems engineer for a university until 2002, when I was laid off due to a state government budget shortfall.  It was the best thing that could have happened to me in several ways.  I was weary of writing and maintaining software and needed a change.  If not for the layoff, I doubt that I would ever had taken the risk to do this work full time.

I am so very grateful for the fiscal ineptitude of the Republicans (previous governor and current president).  Their irresponsible tax policies helped to make possible my transition from a safe but somewhat boring position sitting at a desk and working with computers to an enjoyable career as a chess instructor!