Ezra Chambers was born in Japan, raised in Florida and Burundi, East Africa, and now live in Pacifica, California. Chambers lived in Tokyo for the first ten years of his life and started playing chess in first grade. In Florida, he became interested in robotics and electronics and did his schooling and working at The Greenbot Company, a robotics company his Dad founded. From there, Chambers family moved to Burundi. He went to the school his dad started next to Lake Tanganyika. Chambers had the opportunity to play chess all over Africa, and received his Fide Master title in Tanzania. He then stayed for half a year in Israel before fully immigrating to the United States. Chambers quickly became a member of the Mechanics Institute and he hopes to take his chess even further in Saint Louis.
Rochelle started playing chess at the age of six. She won the gold medal in the 2016 World Cadet Chess Championship U10 Girls section. In 2017, Rochelle took first place in the National Girls Tournament of Champions. At age of 11, she earned her National Master title. Rochelle earned the WIM title and a WGM norm by winning the 2018 North American Junior Girls Championship. In 2019, Rochelle broke the record for the youngest ever player to represent the US in an Olympiad or World Team and celebrated her 13th birthday at the World Team Championship in Kazakhstan. With her success as a young player, she has been invited to participate in the Young Stars program, a chess training program coached by Garry Kasparov. She is currently ranked as the No. 4 female player under the age of 14 in the World as of April 2019 based on her FIDE rating.
Peter Giannatos grew up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, before moving to Charlotte in 2001. Peter learned how to play chess at the age of 7, but did not compete in his first tournament until he was 13.
At the age of 27, Peter is currently ranked 6th overall in the state of North Carolina, with a rating of 2390 USCF and 2290 FIDE. Peter has been teaching for 8 years and has trained many championship teams and students.
Peter has a Bachelors of Science in Economics with a minor in Political Science from the University of North Carolina - Charlotte.
Luis Torres is from Mexico City, Mexico. He has represented Mexico in the World Olympiad and in several World Youth Championships. He became an International Master in 2013. His most prestigious achievements include finishing runner-up in the Mexican Absolute Championship, winning the North American Youth Championship-U14, and consecutively becoming National Youth Champion of Mexico. He also represented Texas Tech in 2014 and 2017 Final Four Editions.
Aaron is a 20 year old FIDE master from New Jersey. Recently, he competed for the New York Marshalls in the PRO Chess League where he defeated numerous strong players including GM Eduardo Iturrizaga. He is one of the top 100 Juniors in the country and is looking to score his second IM norm here in Saint Louis.
Keaton Kiewra is an International Master with two Grandmaster norms and professional Chess Instructor. He grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska where he was the Nebraska State Chess Champion for nine consecutive years. He also won six National Scholastic Titles during that time. Kiewra then moved to Dallas in 2005 to attend UTD on a Chess Scholarship. Since graduating in 2009, he has made his living as a full time Chess Instructor. He moved to San Diego in 2013 and is the founder and manager of the San Diego Surfers team for the PRO Chess League. Kiewra is very proud to have some extremely successful students who have won National Scholastic Titles, represented the U.S. at World Youth Championship events, and been consistently ranked toward the top of their age group nationally.
Gauri is a 26 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, US 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.
Olivier Kenta Chiku-Ratté is a 19 year-old FIDE Master from Montreal, Canada. Olivier represented Canada at the World Youth Chess Championship 2011. In 2015, he earned both his first IM norm and the FM title. In January 2019, he earned a second IM norm at the Montreal Winter Chess Classic. Olivier recently crossed 2400 and is eager to become an International Master.
