ABOUT US
BUILDING THINKERS.
INSPIRING CONFIDENCE.
At Keystone Chess Academy, we believe chess is more than a game — it's a powerful tool for life.
Our mission is to help students think critically, solve problems, and grow into confident leaders both on and off the board.
OUR FOUNDER
DAVID PUSTAI
David Pustai began playing chess at the age of five. What started as a childhood passion became a lifelong pursuit — and a mission to share the game with others.
A former New Jersey Junior State Champion, David ranks among the top 0.1% of players on Chess.com and holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Delaware. He brings decades of competitive experience, academic rigor, and a deep commitment to teaching.
Today, he leads Keystone Chess Academy and personally coaches at local schools and camps with the goal of helping every student discover their potential and love for the game.
OUR STORY
Keystone Chess Academy was founded by David Pustai, who began playing chess in early childhood. By age five, he was teaching his younger sister how to play. In elementary school, he taught classmates the game, and by middle school he was competing on his high school team. During his senior year, David won the New Jersey Junior State Chess Championship.
Professionally, David spent many years as an executive in aerospace and defense and as a university professor. Chess taught him to think strategically, stay composed under pressure, and work through complex problems one move at a time — habits he now instills in his students.
David lives in Chester County with his family and is actively involved in his local community, leading nonprofit and faith-based efforts focused on education and supporting families.
