The Director
The Monmouth Chess School and Club (a USCF Silver Affiliate) was founded by Dr. Michael Koblentz. Dr. Koblentz is a certified USCF Local Tournament Director, past officer of the Berkeley Chess Club, director of local chess events in California, Texas and New Jersey, and Director of the Little Silver Chess Club.
As a player, Dr. Koblentz is a USCF Candidate Master, with top finishes in the UTD Championship, the city championships of Dallas and Omaha, and other USCF events. He played on the top two boards for the Bell Labs Chess Team Raritan Valley League, and is currently ranked in Chess World's Top 25.
As a teacher, Dr. Koblentz has lectured and performed many exhibitions for community events, summer camps and K-12 school chess clubs across New Jersey. He has also authored articles for Atlantic Chess News. His group students and private students include winners of major scholastic chess events in New York, Philadelphia and New Jersey.
Dr. Koblentz holds a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). He has been a resident of Monmouth County with his wife and daughter since 1990.
Faculty
New opportunities arise from time to time for experienced, reliable teachers. Interested parties should contact Dr. Koblentz. learnchess@optonline.net
Club Members
The Club Members form a highly diverse group of individuals and families with one thing in common - the love of chess! There is no age limit for club members and current members range in age from 11 to over 70. All members have prior playing experience and know, at minimum, the rules of chess, basic strategy and tactics, and the etiquette of the game for club participation. Playing abilities of regular club members range from intermediate to master, and all levels in between. When you visit the club, you are likely to be paired up with someone who can give you a really interesting game!
Honorary Members and Distinguished Guests
The Club is frequently visited by special players. This includes USCF Master Vladimir Lipman, USCF Life Master and two-time New Jersey State Champion Dr. Edward Allen, USCF Master, U.S. Cadet Champion and North American Youth Champion Andrew Ng, and International Master Dr. Anatoly Volovich.who was twice Moscow Russia Champion, twice New Jersey State Champion and Trainer of ex-World Champion Boris Spassky. All of these distinguished masters have generously donated their time to perform and support charity simultaneous exhibitions for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.
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