MEET THE START RIGHT CHESS STARS

Deborah and her sister started playing chess during the pandemic with their dad, John. She took to the game like fish to water, and soon started yearning for something that could take her even further in the game.

“We don’t live in a chess town, so to speak. It was difficult to find a good chess option for Deborah here that doesn’t require a long drive and that she can participate in regularly. And that was when we found Start Right Chess.”

Deborah was one of our ‘OGs’, one of the the very first kids to join our online program when it launched in 2020. She was already a talented player then, but the strides Deborah has made under Coach Holly and Coach Majur are nothing short of amazing.

Indeed, Deborah’s rating has gone from 600 to 1400 in just two years. [We believe Deborah’s strength is even higher than her rating indicates: she regularly gives Expert and Master players a headache!] She also won 2nd place in the Chicago Open and Summer Scholastic recently.

“Coach Holly taught me about initiatives, and how to calculate more. She dedicates different days to reviewing our games, learning tactics, and helps us improve in all of those areas,” said Deborah. “We love the Start Right Chess coaches. They are very knowledgeable, with obvious love and passion for the game”, said John. “[Start Right Chess] not only gives us a high-quality, convenient program, it has made a lasting impact on Deborah.”

Outside of chess, Deborah enjoys rollerblading, reading historical fiction, and singing operas. “I want to become a Grandmaster, and I also want to enjoy playing chess along the way!” We are very proud of Deborah, and can’t wait to see what she will achieve next.

Living in the ‘belly of the beast’, Jared has a lot of options when it comes to chess. There are a plethora of chess programs and chess companies in NYC, but Jared found his home at Start Right Chess. “[Start Right Chess] just gives us everything we need—lessons, competitive play, game reviews, and most importantly, passion,” said Richard, Jared’s dad.

“Coach Holly is the perfect balance of drive and nurture for Jared. She is honest about what he needs to work on, and gives him the support he needs to excel,” said Kelly, Jared’s mom.

After placing top 3 in the Tristate Chess Championship and winning first place in the Bryant Park tournament, Jared sets his sight on getting to 1200 rating this summer—and becoming a Master in three years!

Like many other 10-year-old, Jared also enjoys watching sci-fi movies, reading comic books, practicing martial arts, playing baseball, and biking with his dad to Roosevelt Island. “It’s important for kids to have a diverse range of interests, and an intellectual life of their own,” said Richard.

“Books are like shows but you have to put in the effort,” Jared quipped. Indeed, effort and persistence is what sets kids like Jared apart. Shortly after the interview, he hopped on his computer for his weekly lesson with Coach Holly.

After a friend introduced Liam to chess, he knew immediately that it’s going to be his thing. But it wasn’t until he came to Start Right Chess that he knew he would commit to playing chess competitively.

“The other programs… they are not so good”, Liam laughed. “I wanted to be challenged and learn new things every day, but they just kept teaching me the same things.”

“Every week at Start Right Chess, we would learn and do different things. Coach Holly always wants me to review my games with her, work on my strengths and weaknesses, and pushes me to be better.”

“In this business, it’s easy not to care,” said Steve, Liam’s dad. “We have never found another vendor or program that gives the kids so much attention as Start Right Chess does. Both Coach Mac and Coach Holly are very personable and invested in the kids. They care about their progress and are always thinking of ways to help kids get better.”

And now the whole family can’t get enough of chess. “Chess has actually made us stronger as a family,” said Ji-sun, Liam’s mom. “We have traveled to MA, PA, DC, IL, and spent many hours sitting outside the tournament hall while Liam played.” During those hours, Lucy, Liam’s sister, began to learn chess, and is now also a Start Right Chess kid!

“What I love about this is chess has helped the kids become more confident, thoughtful, and driven,” said Ji-sun. We knew Liam is an exceptional chess player, but we were even more impressed by how mature and well-spoken he came across when we did this interview.

“My goal this year is to make it to 1600,” said Liam, whose rating has jumped 800 points in two years, “and to beat Deborah! And then in five years I want to become a FIDE Master.”

Think you got what it takes to be a Start Right Chess star too? Enroll in our online afterschool!