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.
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.
Eduardo Correa
Instructor
Bio coming soon...
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
Manager - Wheaton Center
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.
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.
Lam Truong
Instructor
Lam Truong has been playing chess competitively for over a decade and brings approximately a year of coaching experience, specifically at the high school and middle school levels. During his high school career, he held the Board 1 position starting from his sophomore year.
Currently, Lam is studying nursing at the College of DuPage (COD). He plans to further his education to become a Nurse Practitioner for family practice, aiming to demonstrate that chess is a fun and engaging pursuit for people from all walks of life.
His other interests include playing video games, reading, working, and taking long weekend hikes.
Archit Deshpande
Instructor
Archit Deshpande started playing chess when he was five years old and previously trained as a student at Elite Chess.
Now 18 and a senior at Neuqua Valley High School, he is a member of the school's chess team and has competed in numerous tournaments. He has 1.5 years of experience in his current role.
Archit plans to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, with the goal of becoming a Formula 1 design engineer. In his free time, he enjoys playing and listening to music, working out, and spending time with family and friends.
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.
Varun Vokkarane
Aiden Carey
Carlos Sandoval
Instructor
Varun Vokkarane began playing chess in elementary school after learning from his father.
As a 17-year-old senior at Metea Valley High School, he has served for over a year as his school's first board captain and is an IHSA State Qualifier. He plans to pursue Business Management in college
Varun has a light-hearted approach to teaching and sharing his love for Chess.
John Benas
Instructor
Bio Coming Soon
Patrick McDonnell
Instructor
Bio Coming Soon
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Bio Coming Soon
Aayush Thakkar
Instructor
Bio Coming Soon
Scott Murphy
Instructor
Bio Coming Soon
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Isaac Miller
Instructor
Bio Coming Soon
Ria Raj
Instructor
Bio Coming Soon