Ehsan, PhD, brings a rare combination of elite chess credentials and teaching experience to Keystone Chess Academy. As a National Master rated over 2200 USCF, he competed at the national youth level in Iran, finishing top 5 in the U16 and top 6 in the U20 divisions, where he played a simul against former World Champion GM Anatoly Karpov. He holds a PhD in Systems Engineering and is a Software Engineer. As a father himself, Ehsan genuinely loves making learning engaging and fun.

​Favorite Chess Opening:
Sicilian Najdorf

Nick is an experienced chess instructor with a peak USCF rating over 2000 and more than a decade of teaching experience in the West Chester area. He's worked with students at the West Chester Public Library Chess Club, the Main Line Chinese Culture Center, and through private lessons — building the kind of experience that comes from teaching hundreds of kids at every skill level. Nick knows how to make the game click for beginners and challenge the students who've been playing for years alike.
Favorite Chess Opening:
Sicilian Defense

Aiswerya is a trained surgeon and accomplished competitive chess player with more than 15 years of tournament experience. She has competed in over 70 district, state, national selection, and FIDE-rated events, qualified for National Championships in India, and earned multiple first-place finishes, including winning the Viswanathan Anand Rolling Trophy. As a mom and experienced mentor, Aiswerya enjoys helping young players build confidence, strategic thinking, and a lasting love for chess.
Favorite Chess Opening:
Sicilian Pelikan

Wei holds a PhD in Statistics from the University of British Columbia and brings a unique combination of world-class academic credentials and elite chess coaching pedigree to Keystone Chess Academy. He currently teaches at some of Philadelphia's top academic institutions.
He's also the proud father and coach of two US top-10 junior chess players, bringing the same pedagogical rigor he applies to statistics to the chessboard.

Favorite Chess Opening:
Sicilian Najdorf

Vanshika holds a PhD in Business Administration from the University of Mumbai and spent 13 years as an assistant professor at K.C. College in Mumbai, teaching undergraduate and master's-level students and mentoring more than 500 student research projects. She came to chess through her daughter, learning the game alongside her as a way to spend real time together. She brings a career educator's patience to the board, focusing on helping young players build confidence, think a move ahead, and handle both winning and losing well.​​
Favorite Chess Openings: 
Queen’s Gambit and King’s Indian Defense

Tom holds a degree in Physics from the University of Pennsylvania and spent his career in electric power, managing transmission operations across thirteen states. A longtime member of the North Penn Chess Club, he has played tournament chess for decades and competed for years at the Class A level (1800-1999 rating). He is also a lifelong performing artist, a former professional dancer who choreographed two productions at Upper Perkiomen Middle School, where he worked directly with middle school students.
Favorite Chess Opening:
King's Pawn Opening (e4)

Rohan is an experienced junior chess coach and competitive player with a peak USCF rating of 1900. He volunteers at local chess clubs and serves as the president of his school’s chess club. As a 2023 Philadelphia Worlds Open winner and 2-time state tournament champion, Rohan brings an approachable teaching style to every lesson. He enjoys helping beginners build a strong foundation while challenging experienced players to improve their tournament skills.
Favorite Chess Opening:
Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game)

Mike brings a unique combination of technical skill and mentorship experience to Keystone Chess Academy. A full-stack developer with a degree in Music and Philosophy-Religious Studies from Ithaca College, he's spent years mentoring youth as a Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer. That same patience and rapport carries over to the chessboard, where he helps beginners build confidence one move at a time. Mike maintains a 1600 rating on Chess.com.

Favorite Chess Opening:
French Defense

Dave C. brings a background in both business and chess to Keystone Chess Academy. He holds degrees in Economics from the University of Delaware and Penn State, and spent years at Moody's Analytics and venture capital firms. He learned chess from his father and taught it to his own sons — who quickly surpassed him. With five years of scholastic chess teaching experience and over a decade coaching youth soccer, Dave C. knows how to keep a room of kids engaged.
Favorite Chess Opening:
Pirc Defense

Alex is a junior honors student at West Chester University studying Business Analytics with a minor in Computer Science. A standout junior player, he won the PA 1st Grade Scholastic Championship and the K-3rd Under-600 Championship, and ranked in the top 25 USCF players in Pennsylvania under age 10. He's spent four years teaching chess at the West Chester Public Library and at summer camps, and still enjoys playing casually — bughouse included.

Favorite Chess Opening:
Fried Liver Attack

Nate brings a unique and welcome energy to Keystone Chess Academy. A performer by training, he's spent years working with kids as a Boy Scout camp counselor teaching merit badge workshops. Nate began playing chess seriously in 2022 and has climbed to a 1700 blitz rating on Lichess, playing regularly online and with the Main Line Chess Club. He's also related to noted chess author and instructor Dan Heisman and enjoys helping new players discover the game.
Favorite Chess Opening:
Caro-Kann Defense

Jon brings a background in computer science and AI to Keystone Chess Academy. As a junior player, Jon placed 2nd in the PSCF K-9 Under-600 State Chess Championship and 4th in the K-12 Open at the Masterminds Chess Tournament. A recent Computer Science graduate from Susquehanna University, he's worked as a freelance machine learning and AI engineer, and previously tutored Python to college students.

Favorite Chess Opening:
Queen's Gambit

Vince brings a strong background in network engineering and cybersecurity to Keystone Chess Academy. He holds an Associate degree in Computer Network Systems from ITT Technical Institute and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), with nine years as a Network Engineer at Vanguard. A father of two and an avid chess player, Vince brings the same focus and problem-solving mindset to the board that he applies in his professional work.
Favorite Chess Opening:
King's Indian Defense

Jonah started playing chess in 2021, when his middle school launched a chess club. He quickly fell in love with the game and has been sharpening his skills ever since. In high school, Jonah returned to that same club to help younger students learn how to play. His Chess.com rating currently sits around 1500 across time controls, and he loves experimenting with new openings and exploring fun lines.

Favorite Chess Opening:

English Opening

Tom holds a B.S. in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics from Stockton College and spent years in software testing before moving into education. He has taught high school mathematics, worked as a substitute teacher across grade levels, and tutored at Huntington Learning Center since 2019 — including two years as an in-class tutor and teaching assistant in an elementary classroom. He also runs a weekly online board gaming community, where he has spent years teaching new players.
Favorite Chess Opening:
Italian Game

Steve brings over 15 years of QA and data engineering leadership from companies including CHS Inc., SEI, Barclays, and Fidelity Investments. He holds a Computer Science degree from Virginia Tech and has served as an adjudicator for the Philadelphia Independence Awards, visiting high schools in that role. As a father of two and a lifelong board game hobbyist (his name is on the box of Gaia Project), Steve brings the same patience, analytical thinking, and attention to detail to teaching kids the game.
Favorite Chess Opening:
Ruy Lopez

Patrick brings a strong record of community service to Keystone Chess Academy. A graduate of Widener University with a background in Mechanical Engineering, he volunteers supporting elderly neighbors in West Chester. As an assistant coach, Patrick supports our lead instructors, works one-on-one with students during guided play, and helps make sure every session runs safely and smoothly. He is excited to give back to the Chester County community he grew up in.
Favorite Chess Opening:
Queen's Gambit

Jay holds an Associate of Science degree and trained in classical French culinary technique. A father of three sons, he has played chess throughout his life and passed the game on at home. Jay brings four decades of leadership experience to Keystone Chess Academy, having worked as a chef and kitchen manager in restaurants, gastropubs, and retirement communities while leading and training diverse teams in fast-paced environments. Outside of chess, Jay practices karate, keeps bonsai, and is an avid reader. He resides in Exton.
Favorite Chess Opening: e4 and the Colle as White; Alekhine and the King’s Indian Defense as Black

Matt began playing chess in 2015 and returned to the game in 2023 after taking an extended break. As a young player, he placed fourth in the K–8 Under-900 section of a US Chess-rated tournament. Since returning, he has continued sharpening his skills and reached a peak blitz rating of 1564.

Matt is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. While in college, he founded the first chess club in his program’s history. Outside of chess, he enjoys video games and runs his own competitive Rocket League league.

Favorite Chess Opening: Queen’s Gambit Declined