ABOUT
Elite Chess was started in 2012 by chess player and coach, Jeff DiOrio. Jeff's goal was to provide chess learning opportunities to kids in the Naperville area. Over the last 12 years Elite Chess has expanded its programs to include weekly classes, after school programs, tournaments, and summer camps to kids all over the Midwest. Elite Chess hopes to continue to grow in the future, serving the community and using chess to change the world.
STAFF
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Jeff DiOrio
Founder & CEO
Jeff spent 15 years in education as a math teacher, Dean of Students, and Assistant Principal at Naperville North High School. While at NNHS, he coached the chess team to a record 12 consecutive DuPage Valley Conference Titles and an IHSA State Championship in 2015. Jeff was named the Illinois Chess Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2017.
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Jeff lives in Geneva, IL with his wife, Karina, and their sons, Blake and Chase. When he is not coaching, Jeff loves to fish, golf, read, spend time with his family, and of course, play chess.
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Emmanuel Carter
Instructor
Emmanuel grew up in North Carolina where he is a 4 time North Carolina State Chess Champion. At the age of 14 he earned the title of National Master and has a peak rating of 2304.
He has a wonderful ability to explain complex ideas so that all his students can understand them and he is one of the most positive people you will ever meet.
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Emmanuel is currently a student at Wake Tech Community College. When he is not playing chess he loves to run and play basketball.
Sebastian Aranda
Manager - Naperville Center
Sebastian found his love for chess in High school where he competed with his team in the IHSA as well as multiple RAM invitationals with Glenbard East Highschool.
He now devotes his efforts to support others in their journey. ​ Sebastian has a compassionate approach to teaching and loves to build people up!
When he is not teaching or playing chess himself, he loves to workout and spend time with family.
Anthony Kindness
Instructor
Anthony is a student at North Central College who found his passion for chess at Glenbard East High School. At GEHS he earned hundreds of board points and went to state. His aim when coaching is to give students a consistent framework to understand/ solve various chess puzzles.
Currently, he is pursuing his Bachelor of Science in mathematics, applied mathematics, and a minor in computer science.
When not coaching or playing chess, Anthony enjoys golfing, coding, and doing some mathematics, especially evolving the Lambert W function!
Usman Qazi
Instructor
Usman graduated from Glenbard East H.S. where he was the highly decorated, 2-year captain of the chess team. While at GEHS he earned multiple All-Conference honors and 1st place at his board during the 2016-2017 IHSA State Finals.
His passion for chess competition is now a passion for developing young players that is evident to anyone who watches him teach.
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Usman lives in Lombard, IL and studies at the College of DuPage. When he is not coaching, he enjoys playing volleyball, making music, and fishing.
Srdjan Jefic
Instructor
Srdjan is a FIDE Master who has extensive experience playing and coaching chess. He learned to play at the age of 5 in Bosnia, and by the age of 6 he was competing in tournaments. He is a 7-time Bosnian National Champion and has played in multiple European and World Championships. His current FIDE Rating is 2312.
Srdjan also works with students every day as a mathematics teacher in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he lives.
When he is not coaching, Srdjan enjoys hiking and taking long walks.
Logan Mazurek
Instructor
Logan is a software engineer for Lockheed Martin by day and avid chess player by night. He is a Neuqua Valley High School alumni, where he was captain of both the chess team and rugby team.
During high school, Logan rose from board 8 as a freshman to board 1 as a senior. He finished his high school career with an impressive 2 top ten in state finishes and a peak IHSA chess rating of over 2000.
When not coaching, Logan likes to hang out with family, play board games, and study chess to work towards his life goal of becoming a master titled player.
Bob Schatzle
Instructor
Bob graduated from St. John’s University in 1980 and had a continuous 36.5 year career in the clinical laboratory industry as a technologist, supervisor and manager. Bob married in 1984 and is the proud father of four children who’ve all earned bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees.
In the 80’s, Bob was very involved as a chess player, organizer and USCF Senior Tournament Director.
In addition to chess, Bob is an avid bass guitarist. Since coming to Naperville to join a fellow Hard Rock Café pins enthusiast, he has rekindled his involvement with organized chess!
Will Johnson
Instructor
Will grew up playing chess in rural Vermont and practiced puzzles consistently while studying at Boston College.
During the pandemic, Will improved his skills substantially and played over 15000 games online. He recently achieved a peak chess.com blitz rating of 1911. An avid follower of GM Hikaru Nakamura, Will believes that chess is ultimately a game that both inspires wonder and fun for students of all ages.
When he is not coaching or playing over the board, Will is a Senior Territory Manager for Cvent. He additionally serves as a lieutenant in the Illinois National Guard.
Andrew Jensen
Instructor
Andrew is a licensed K-12 Art Educator. His passion is teaching kids about various art techniques and processes, using a range of different mediums.
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Coach Jensen learned chess at a young age and used his love of the game to guide the Naperville North High School Chess Team as both an assistant and head coach.
From planning, to creating, to reflecting - Andrew believes art and chess offer individuals the space to think critically, execute an idea, and reflect upon the outcome, no matter what that outcome is.
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Coach Jensen lives in Plainfield with his wife, two step-sons, and two dogs. When he is not coaching, he likes to create art and spend time outdoors.
Aiden Carey
Instructor
Bio Coming Soon
Carlos Sandoval
Instructor
Bio Coming Soon