Justin Morrison

Justin Morrison is the founder and owner of Kid Chess™. With over 3 decades worth of chess playing experience, he started playing in high school. he was the 3-time Georgia High School Champion from 1976 through 1978, High School Champion of Southeastern United States in 1976, and Georgia Junior Champion in 1978. He is a current USCF-rated Expert, a certified USCF tournament director beginning in 1977, and has taught chess since 1976.

Kristi Morrison

Kristi received an Elementary Education Certification from Kennesaw State College after graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in Psychology. Before teaching for Kid Chess™, Kristi taught 1st and 2nd grades for 10 years in Fulton County, Georgia. Kristi first learned how to play chess when she was 8 years old in a chess class taught at her elementary school in Michigan. Kristi loves being a part of the Kid Chess™ team because it allows her to teach children. Kristi is a co-owner of Kid Chess™ with her husband, Kid Chess™ founder Justin Morrison. Kristi and Justin have a son and she has spent the last several years raising him. Kristi enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, exercising, and reading.

Mike Mestres

International Master Mike Mestres is a 2 time cuban gold medalist, and six time member of the cuban national chess team. He was a FIDE cadidate by age 12, and earned a FIDE rating of 2385 by age 14. He started playing Chess at age 4, learned from his father who taught him how to move the pieces. He won first state champ at age 6, and won his first national champ at age 8. He has played over 600 rated games, lost only 25 in his junior and youth career. Mike's first Chess coach was FIDE master coach German Fernandez, and his second Chess Coach was International Master Nunez. Mike says that While in preparation for tournaments, he had the pleasure to play and learn from top GMs daily. He moved to the US 1995 and looking forward to regaining FIDE and USCF ELO ratings and making his first GM norm soon.

Bella Belagradek

Bella has been playing chess for almost thirty years. She was a seasoned tournament player in Russia, where she aquired a title of Woman Chess Master's Candidate at age 16. She has two Masters degrees (in Math and Computer Science), the later one was from University of Maryland Baltimore County, the winner of six Pan-American Intercollegiate Championship. She's been a member of UMBC team for three years and won UMBC Championship in 1994-95. Bella started teaching chess while she was an elementary school student. Recently she resumed this demanding and delightful career.

Ratana Landry

Ratana joined the Kid Chess™ team as Operations Manager in June of 2004. Ratana has been a casual chess player since her college days, and “hopes some of the chess talent currently surrounding her rubs off .” She is a graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She has an extensive background in Private Investigations having owned her own business in Louisiana . Ratana met our founder Justin Morrison when she first moved to Georgia in 1995 and has had the pleasure to work with him at various times over the last 10 years. When not engaged in the many facets of managing the Kid Chess™ operations, Ratana is likely out riding her Harley Davidson (fondly known as “Doux”) or enjoying the outdoors with family, friends, and her “four legged” canine kid “Put-Two”.

Lee Miller

Lee is a graduate of Berry College with a BA in English Literature. He began playing chess as a sophomore in high school, but did not play in his first tournament until four years later, in the 1994 Tennessee Open. Since then he has been active ( more than 600 rated games at standard time controls ) and successful, establishing a Class B ( 1600 ) rating floor. Founder and president of the chess club at Berry, Lee has taught chess formally and informally for years.

"A good professor's passion for and knowledge of his subject can challenge his students to the point of intimidation. A great professor's patience and knowledge of human nature makes those same students believe they can meet that challenge, to the point of inspiration. For children, just playing the game thoughtfully teaches engagement and achievement. One of a chess teacher's main goals is to instill and encourage that thoughtfulness."

Michael Farris

Coach Michael enjoys teaching children and adults to appreciate the Noble Game. He studies games of logic, their cultural significance, and how societies share ideas through them. After 9 years teaching and working with young people, he finds great satisfaction sharing the game of chess with communities who share an appreciation of its value. Whether it be through tournament play and the meeting of new players at the board, or in friendly social play through bughouse or many other interesting chess variants, Coach Michael aims young players towards a strong sense of commitment to growth and to good sportsmanship. Michael Farris is a graduate of Morehouse College, with honors, B.S. in Psychology, minor Biology. He values science and art, understanding that one complements the other. In the Spring of 2007, he coached two Kid Chess school teams to the State Team Championships, with one team placing 7th in the state.

Jared Radin

Jared has been playing chess for approximately 45 years. In the 70's he was one of the top players in Georgia and won the State Championship in 1973. Jared is a former President of the Georgia Chess Association, and he has also directed and organized many chess tournaments. Jared is a computer programmer by trade and he created KCEasyChess and the interactive chess puzzles in the "fun house" section of our website.

Fred Judson

Fred began playing at chess over 60 years ago in Milford Connecticut. Fred initiated his chess career by reading Capablanca's "A Primer of Chess" and Reuben Fine's "Chess the Easy Way". Fred played regularly against family members and high school classmates until 1953. Later, Fred was recognized as "All Campus Champion" at the University of Connecticut in 1954. He graduated with a BSME from Bridgeport Engineering Institute, now part of Fairfield Univ., in 1963. His accomplishments also includes two time Club "Blitz Champion", holding Grandmaster Pal Benko to a draw in a simul, defeating a Master at the Connecticut Blitz Championship, and sharing 1st place with a blind player at the 1990 Hartford Open. Fred began teaching chess in 1970. Fred is a registered Chess Coach with the United States Chess Federation.

Ben Vinyard

Ben's cousin taught him how to play chess when he was a child but he didn't start playing seriously until the age of 29. He attended Southeast Missouri State University and majored in Communications. His occupational experience involves years of film and television employment including a position as the studio producer for the Kansas City Royals and freelance assignments for ESPN, CNN, FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS and Entertainment Tonight. Ben is a certified tournament director and, since his participation with Kid Chess™, has had an opportunity to become a more active tournament player, at one point gaining 150 ratings points in the span of a single year. In the Spring of 2006, he coached four Kid Chess™ teams that qualified for the State Team Championship.

Keith Kuntz

Keith Kuntz began playing chess about thirteen years ago. About that time, he also began playing other strategy games, and this soon became his favorite hobby. Throughout college, he played chess and wargames with his friends and classmates. In 2002, Keith obtained a degree in Education from Kennesaw State University. Joining Kid Chess™ in September 2005, Keith is thrilled to have the opportunity to combine his love of chess and his skills in teaching.

Chris McCourt

Chris McCourt has loved chess and has been playing it since his grandfather taught him how to play in 1988. "I wish I had Kid Chess™ when I was in elementary school, I never got to play much because no one my age knew how." One of the main reasons why Chris loves Kid Chess™ is because it actually makes the kids smarter and teaches such good sportsmanship. "The kids really respond to the Kid Chess™ program, especially the ones discounted by their teachers." In addition to Kid Chess™, Chris works at Aspens signature steaks, in East Cobb where he grew up. He also loves to read, go trail running with his dog Guinness and basically loves to do pretty much anything that's outdoors. "I look forward to being with Kid Chess™ for years to come."

Eric Holmes

Eric learned how to play chess when he was 7 years old from his father. He attends Kennesaw State University, where he is pursuing a degree in International Business. Eric has two younger brothers (Kyle and Kevin) that are also both active tournament chess players, and his brother Kyle was the 2004 8th Grade State Chess Champion. Growing up as the oldest child in his family, Eric is very experienced working with and teaching children. He loves the interaction with the students, and working with the kids is his favorite part of coaching. In his free time, he enjoys playing baseball, guitar, and reading.

Norman Stokes

Norman Stokes learned to play chess in the early 60’s as an elementary student. He improved throughout high school and played in his first tournament in 1977. Norman has been interpreting for the Deaf for more than 30 years and has taught many Deaf people how to play chess. In 1984, Norman graduated from University of Alabama – Birmingham with a MA degree in Special Education. Norman has taught in Cobb County Schools and used chess as a teaching tool with some of his students. Norman is currently working part-time at Staples.

Joey Weigel

Joey was taught how to play chess by his father when he was very young. He became greatly absorbed in the game and started reading literature in an attempt to better himself. Joey attended Justin Morrison's very first chess camp (based out of Justin's home!) and won the outstanding player trophy. Aside from chess, he is attending Kennesaw State to play upright bass in their orchestra on a scholarship. Joey also is a member of the KSU ultimate frisbee team.

Gerald Stafford

Gerald hails from Trenton, New Jersey. Gerald's love for strategic games enticed his future brother-in-law to teach him the game of chess while he was in middle school. Gerald has been working with children for 16 years in different capacities such as, Camp Director, Physical Education Teacher, and Sports Coach. Gerald's motivation is to teach children life skills and values through fun and innovative games. "Like chess, life is full of options and choices, if you take time analyze your options, your choice will have higher percentage of success."

Lisa Hong

Jack Le Moine

Jack hails from Washington State.  He organized his first chess tournament in the early 1970's.  He was the President of the Seattle Chess Club and Business Manager of Northwest Chess Magazine.  His USCF rating is in the mid 1700's.  When he is not playing chess, he manages a CPA firm in Marietta.

Josh Latta

Josh is a Kid Chess™ Cartoonist. As a professional freelance illustrator, Josh designs, draws and animates memorable characters, backgrounds and storylines for lessons viewed by the students. Josh's other notable clients include Creative Loafing, Mellow Mushroom, Bellsouth and Cox Communications. When he's not drawing, Josh enjoys reading comics and nonfiction, watching cartoons, collecting vintage toys and memoribilia, and entertaining kids and animals.

Michelle McConnell

"After reading on the benefits of chess for children I decided to teach my four kids to play, and we opened a book and began. I always believed chess should be a part of public education's standard curriculum. That has never come to pass but Kid Chess comes as close to getting it out into the mainstream as I have seen. I love kids, teaching and chess. Having home schooled my now grown children I bring a great deal of hands on experience into the kid chess classroom and love what I do."

When not with Kid Chess Michelle loves her work with Middle school worship and youth programs. She is a vocalist for weddings and other church services. She loves to hike, play racquetball, kayak, bicycle, play scrabble and spend time with her family.

Joyce Doering

Chuck Narucki

Chuck Narucki was born December 1934 in Newark, N.J. Growing up BTV (Before TV) he played many card and board games with family and friends, but not chess. While in school his hobbies were learning to perform magic and competitive roller-skating. A graduate of a Technical High School in Mechanical Drawing and Tool Design, he retired, self-taught as a Senior Aircraft Engineer from Lockheed Aircraft Co. Started playing Chess in 1963 during lunch periods. Chuck and other employees formed a Chess Club at Lockheed Ga. in 1964. He became the Lockheed Chess Champion of 1966. Shortly afterward he stopped playing chess to concentrate on increasing his job knowledge of his chosen career field and meet family needs. Though his four children showed little interest in the game, it wasn’t until the spring of 2006 when he heard his 7 year old granddaughter was taking lessons at Kid’s Chess, did he re-open his old chess magazines and books. When she heard that Granddad played chess she insisted that he take her to Thursday evening Chess open house instead of her mother. Chuck seeing the Joy, Excitement and Enthusiasm the children have for the game, decided that with all his spare time he now enjoys why not help teach children. Chuck believes chess is an excellent tool to improve memory recall, teach decision-making, analyzing of problems and perseverance, either in a game or life, there are always options. Chuck insists that the children have a friendly attitude and show good sportsmanship at all times.

Zac Bolton

Clare Bolton

Kyle Holmes

Kyle began playing chess with family members when he was seven years old. He started formal chess classes with Kid Chess at age eleven. He has competed and placed in many chess tournaments. His first tournament was the Nationals, in which he placed second in the 6th grade unrated section. In 8th grade Kyle won the Georgia State Championship for his grade level. He has both a younger brother and an older brother; Kevin who is an active chess player and Eric who is also a coach at Kid Chess.

Kyle graduated high school two years early and is attending Chattahoochee Tech for his first year of college. Having worked for Kid Chess for three years now, Kyle’s favorite part of his job is working with and playing chess with the kids. He also loves to play soccer, guitar and read.

Daniel Harrison

Born in the Old World (England), Daniel started his chess playing in middle school. Throughout high school, he represented his school in tournaments in the province of The Tirol, Austria. He continued into his early twenties playing at club level in old-worldy cafes and in tournaments. Daniel remembers with fondness his chess mentor Puco, from Hungary. Daniel "retired" from tournament chess in order to attend to his musical studies in Salzburg. He has a B.A. in Social Work, and an M.S. in Economics. Daniel is currently studying for his Doctorate in Religious Studies. He has been married for ten years. Daniel enjoys coaching children as it allows him to practice his nurturing abilities. For him to see young minds being challenged and developed through chess brings a great deal of pleasure.

Craig Simpson

Craig graduated with highest honors from Georgia Tech in May of 2006 with a B.S. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Craig is the Kid Chess™ Cartoonist, where he is responsible for creating the Cartoon Lesson Curriculum for the Kid Chess™ classroom and online. He hand-draws all characters and storylines, and animates the lessons on the computer, and writes the soundtracks. He is also a member of the Kid Chess™ I.T. team, and helps with many aspects of the website. Craig is a casual chess player, and he will be making visits to the classroom to get to know the students and find out about their personalities to better create fun, entertaining chess cartoons. His other interests include SCUBA diving, music, repelling, and camping.

Tom Chow

Mary Margaret Hill

Lawrence Matthews

John Austin

Drew Saenz

Jon Hochberg

Clem Wellman

Michael Seay

Rod Gorby

Boyzie Lee Mathis II

Dick Sooley

Bill Noyes

Bill Noyes has been playing at chess since 1972. Originally an Z/os mainframe systems programmer, Bill designed, implemented, and continues to maintain the KidChess.com and AtlantaChessPlace.com websites, and brings over two decades worth of professional data processing experience, standards, and procedures to his work at Kid Chess. He is a former newsletter editor and Vice-President of the Georgia Chess Association, as well as former secretary and President of the Decatur Chess club. Bill has been webmaster to the Georgia Chess Association's Website GeorgiaChess.org, which under his administration was named Best State Chess Website in 2004, 2005, and 2006 by the Chess Journalists of America. Along with Charles Curry, he coached the Morningside Elementary School K-3 team which qualified for and tied for 3rd in the 2005 Georgia K-3 Team Championships. Bill is also a classical pianist, playing the works of composers such as Beethoven, J.S. Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Liszt, Grieg, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, and Franck.