Thalia Cervantes is a Woman International Master born in Cuba but currently plays chess under the United States flag. She is one of the top junior girls in the country and has won tournaments such as Pan-American Girls U20 2018. She just came back from playing World Youth Girls U18 and World Junior Girls U20.
A Saint Louis native, Julian Proleiko got a relatively late start in chess, beginning at the age of 12. He improved by playing the local regulars, and now aims to be the first International Master to grow up with the Saint Louis Chess Club. Some of his more impressive performances include scoring 6/7 in the 2300 section of the Chicago Open as well as scoring 5/9 in the Moscow Open A group.
Tom started playing chess around the age of 4 or 5. He quickly went on to win a K-2 National Championship in 2006 and tied for first in a K-3 National in 2008. He also won numerous Susan Polgar World and National Opens throughout his childhood. In high school, he was relatively inactive with chess, but after beginning college he has begun taking chess more seriously. Tom currently attends Webster University and has gained over 200 FIDE points since joining the chess program. He does not have any norms, but is looking to win his first here in Saint Louis.
Mauricio is an International Master from Costa Rica. He was the Costa Rican National Champion 2009 and first board of the Costa Rica national team in the Chess Olympiad teams of 2010 and 2012 ( Khanty-Mansiysk and Istanbul). Mauricio also received second place in the Centro american Sub-zonal 2014 and is the main head of the chess program for the under 20 national teams of Costa Rica 2017.
Aaron Grabinsky is a 21-year old National Master currently studying Mathematics and Computer Science as a Senior at Webster University. Originally from a small town of 4,000 on the southern Oregon coast, Aaron has achieved all three required International Master norms, and is looking to chase down the last few rating points to reach 2400 to claim the title. One of his best results was shared first in the 2017 Chicago Class Championships where he defeated GM Vladimir Georgiev with black in the final round in a must-win situation. Outside of tournament chess, his favorite hobbies include table tennis, working out, and of course, playing blitz and bullet online. He is also a semi-professional online chess instructor and has been working as such for almost four years now. After graduation from Webster University, he plans to go on to study Civil Engineering back in Oregon, and of course, continue to pursue chess as a serious hobby.
Gauri is a 27 year old FIDE Master who currently works as a full time chess coach in Chicago. In his childhood years, he won several national junior championships. He won the Under-7 Indian Nationals in 2000, U-9, U10, and U-11 British championships in 2002, U.S. Junior Open in 2005, and the National K-12 Quick Chess Championship in 2006. He holds five International Master Norms and is looking to complete his IM title. In his spare time he enjoys reading, singing, staying up to date with current events, investing, and travelling.
Josiah Stearman is a 16 year old FIDE Master with one IM norm residing in Martinez, California. He is a multiple time State Champion and All-American designee. He will be starting his studies at the University of California Berkeley in Spring 2020.
