ABOUT
Elite Chess was started in 2012 by chess player and coach, Jeff DiOrio. Jeff's original goal was to provide summer chess camps for kids in the Naperville area. Over the last 8 years Elite Chess has expanded its programs to include night classes, charity events, after school programs, tournaments, and seminars. 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 is a Dean of Students at Naperville North High School where he is in his 12th year coaching the chess team. During that time they have captured a record 12 consecutive DuPage Valley Conference Titles and in 2015, Naperville North won the IHSA State Championship. Additionally, 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 golf, fish, 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.
Emmanuel is currently a student at Wake Tech Community College. When he is not playing chess he loves to run and play basketball.
Pratik Shenvi
Instructor
Pratik is an expert level chess player with 5 years of coaching experience. He has a peak rating of 2024 and is currently working towards his National Master title.
Pratik has been playing competition chess for over 13 years and has played 1000+ official FIDE rated games across all formats. In 2013 he was the youngest U-25 state champion in the state of Texas.
Pratik has a Masters degree in Information Systems and lives in Frisco, TX. When he isn't coaching, he enjoys playing video games and watching basketball.
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.
Matt Blanton
Instructor
Matt started playing chess when he was five years old. He and his friends, with the help of Coach DiOrio, were the creators of the
Naperville Chess Academy.
Matt graduated from Naperville Central H.S. where he competed in chess, baseball, and cross country. He played on the chess team all four years, and was captain his senior year.
Matt currently attends Marquette University where he is studying mechanical engineering. Outside of class, Matt enjoys spending his time working out and playing chess.
Mark Reed
Instructor
Bio Coming Soon
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.
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.
Sebastian Aranda
Instructor
Bio Coming Soon