Justin Morrison

Justin Morrison is the founder and owner of Kid Chess™. With over four 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.

Bella Belegradek

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 and joined Kid Chess in September, 2005.

Ratana Landry

Ratana joined the Kid Chess™ team as Director of Operations 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 15 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”.

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 Judson started working for Kid Chess in 2002. 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 BS in Mechanical Engineering 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 Vinyard joined Kid Chess in September 2004. 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.

Norman Stokes

Norman Stokes has been with Kid Chess since 2005. He 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 Weigel was taught how to play chess by his father when he was very young. He became greatly absorbed in the game and started reading chess books 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. Presently, Joey is an active musician and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor. He joined Kid Chess in August, 2006.

Gerald Stafford

Gerald joined Kid Chess in August, 2006. Gerald has been working with children for over 20 years in different capacities such as, Youth Minister, Activities Director, Camp Director, Physical Education Teacher, and Sports Coach. Gerald's motivation is to teach children life skills and values through fun and innovative games. A father of 3 daughters, he encourages all children as if they were his own. Gerald brings an exuberant amount of energy to every class and interacts with the children in a way that they can relate. "We are to be all things to all people. Whatever the students need at that time, that's what I am trying to be. We are role models, and kids will imitate everything they see and hear from us. We have a responsibility to show love and a positive character at all times. Your character is what you do when no one is watching. Yet someone is always watching."

Lisa Hong

Lisa was born in Taiwan, moved to the United States and went to high school and college in St. Louis, Missouri. Since 1990 the family moved from Houston, Texas to Marietta, Georgia. She works at Mt. Bethel as the Cafe Manager since Fall 1999. Lisa joined Kid Chess around Fall of 2000 as a parent helper and learned how to play chess with the kids (students) and she also keeps tally records for the coaches.

Kevin Holmes

Kevin began taking lessons with Kid Chess when he was five years old and was his class champion numerous times. He has practiced chess with his brothers, Eric and Kyle, who have also taught for Kid Chess for a combined total of fourteen years. Kevin frequently plays chess against opponents from all over the world via the Internet. When he is not playing chess, Kevin also enjoys Tae Kwon Do and playing the piano.

Joyce Doering

Joyce has been with Kid Chess since April 2007 and enjoys working with the kids. Through working with kids, Joyce has realized that she wants to become an elementary school teacher. Therefore, she is working towards an early childhood education degree at Kennesaw State University. With 15 years of management experience, Joyce enjoys working with the Kid Chess staff and motivating the team to reach its goals. Joyce is a casual chess player who learns more about the game every class period and realizes how chess can teach children the importance of good sportsmanship and achievement. She loves the interaction with children and helping them succeed. In Joyce’s spare time, she loves fitness including running 5K’s, 10K’s and marathons. Also, she loves spending time with her husband, 2 young boys, family and friends.

Tom Chow

Tim Chow was born in Taiwan, and Went to high school and college near Philadelhia, PA. He has a a B.S. in math, and has been playing chess since 7th grade. In 1979, Tom became the Delaware State Champion and had a rating of 2025. As well as being a classroom instructor, Tom joined Kid Chess in August, 2007 and works with Coach Keith Kuntz on our series of Kid Chess video lessons.

Lawrence Matthews

Lawrence Matthews was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His expeditions in the world of chess began when he was 9 years old, when his uncle taught him how to play chess. He has been in the field of elementary education since 2003, and has taught in elementary schools, youth summer camps and various community centers. Lawrence's hobbies include listening to music, traveling, watching movies, spending time with his wife and learning foreign languages. Lawrence speaks and reads Spanish and is currently learning the Croatian language. He joined Kid Chess in July, 2007.

John Austin

John Austin joined Kid Chess in 2007. He graduated from Georgia State University with a BBA in Accounting and became a CPA two years later after passing the exam and completing the experience requirement. John began playing chess at the age of 12 and has been a Class A player since he was a teenager. He was president of the Atlanta Chess Club in the early 1960s. A CPA, he rose to the presidency of three different banks in three different states. Owing to the demands of family and business, his chess career was interrupted by several long periods of inactivity but he never lost his love of the game. In 1995, after a ten-year period of inactivity, he fulfilled a lifetime goal by becoming the Georgia State Chess Champion. Nine years later, in 2004, he came out of retirement to play in the first Georgia Senior Championship where he finished third, behind two masters, and reached his highest USCF rating of 1943. John loves teaching and sharing his experience with the kids. John is on the list of the National Top 100 Quick Chess Players Over Age 65 in the August 2010 issue of the U.S. Chess Federations' Chess Life magazine.

Clem Wellman

Clem Wellman started with Kid Chess in 2007 and went to college at Lake Forest College, Lake Forest IL - achieving a B.A. in Business Administration. He began to play chess with his father at age 8, played on his high school chess team, was Lake Forest College champion in the 1960's and began US Chess Federation tournament play in 1963. His rating has always been Class A but his formal play stopped with family and business demands increasing by 1970. After retiring as a Vice-President, Sales for a packaging company, he joined KidChess in 2007 to complement his love of teaching his grandchildren to play the royal game. With 3 grandchildren, an 11-year old girl, an 8- and 5-year old boy participating in Kid Chess programs, Clem is overjoyed with his second career as a chess instructor for eager young minds.

Jayashree Sekar

Jayashree Sekar learned chess from her friend and started playing chess since middle school in India. After her graduation and marriage, she relocated to Greenville, SC with her family during August 1998. After a long break, she resumed her chess in USA. She joined Greenville Chess Club and became a USCF member in 2002. Since then, she has been playing USCF rated tournaments in Greenville, SC. After she moved to Atlanta she continued playing rated tournaments. Apart from Chess, she is interested in solving sudoku puzzles, reading books and solving online chess puzzles, and she is a light music singer. She loves to teach chess to children and joined Kid Chess in August, 2008.

Julia Radin

Julia was born in Helena, Montana and at the age of 4 her family and she moved to Utah. She has lived in Georgia for the past 11 years and has worked in banking for 32 years. Julia joined Kid Chess in July, 2008, and graduated from Kennesaw State University in the spring of 2010. Julia enjoys working with children and she is always amazed as to how quickly the kids learn the moves and tactics of Chess. Her hobbies are scuba diving,reading (when she can find the time), and playing Chess and Scrabble. She is happily married to Coach Jared Radin.

Craig Morgan

Craig joined Kid Chess in July, 2008. He began playing chess in the early 1980’s and learned how to play from his father. He is a certified teacher in the state of Georgia and taught grades 2nd, 4th and 5th in his 5 years of classroom experience. He loves working with children and loves to see children learning and growing. Craig also is an avid music lover and plays the drums in his spare time. Patterns and recognizing patterns is exciting to him and vows that patterns can be translated to so many areas, including music and chess. He enjoys reading, traveling, listening to music and spending time with his son. Craig states he hates to see a teachable moment dissipate and loves to share what he learns with others on a constant basis. New ideas and progress are paramount for him and he looks forward to what each day may bring his way.

Michael Hyde

Michael Hyde began playing chess in grade school. He went on to become the Chess Club Champion his senior year. Since then Michael has been playing many different strategic and tactical board games including historical military games. After a long absence from chess, he began playing chess again at the local chess club meeting at Borders a few years ago. He enjoys music, reading and spending time with his wife and three children. Michael holds a BS in Education and is a partner in his computer company.

Peggy Casstevens

Peggy Casstevens was born in Dallas, Texas and was taught how to play chess as an elementary school student by her older brother. After attending the University of North Texas and then getting married, she moved to Georgia in 1991 with her husband. Her main focus after moving to the Atlanta area was on raising her three children as a stay-at-home mom, volunteering as an elementary school tutor, Sunday school teacher and working as a caregiver for the elderly. She taught her three children how to play chess in elementary school, two of which attended Kid Chess in one of the first classes taught in the Atlanta metro area by the founder, Justin Morrison. She loves working with young children while they are learning the game of chess and developing chess skills.

Richard Smith

Bill Furman

Bill Furman has been playing chess since he was in the 4th grade and was the President of his High School and College Teams. He attended Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke Virginia and earned an Associates degree in Science and also tutored math in college. Bill's interests are his church, chess, computers, boy scouts and computers. He started as a Kid Chess instructor in March of 2009.

Chris Ferrante

Chris is a graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut with a degree in mathematics. He has been playing chess for over 40 years. With extensive tournament experience, his USCF rating has been as high as expert level, and he obtained a master rating in correspondence (postal) chess in the 1990s. Bughouse chess is also one of his specialities - he contributed one chapter and helped edit a book on bughouse that was reviewed in the August, 2007 Chess Life.

Dan Woodard

Dan Woodard joined Kid Chess in March 2009 after working as an attorney and IT professional. Dan is currently the president of Quantum Leap Solutions, a management and leadership consulting firm. He also has expertise working with young adults in a mentoring program called Rising Star. Dan learned chess from his grandfather at the age of seven and played chess competitively for the Chess Club in college and high school. He believes that learning chess is one of the best ways to teach young people how to think internally and to plan ahead, both essential skills in today’s world. He has a B.S. from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and a J.D. from Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, AL.

Jim Lawhon

Jim Lawhon learned chess from his father and cousin while a third grader in the "Fischer boom" of 1972-73. An Eagle Scout and former Scoutmaster, Jim graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor degree in Chemistry and a U.S. Army commission. He is an active tournament chess player and won the Atlanta Chess Center Championship in 1996. He has served as a tournament director, as Vice President of the Georgia Chess Association, and as Editor of Georgia Chess magazine in the 1990s. Jim is a real estate property expert with Euharlee Creek Properties LLC and also teaches financial development seminars. In addition to chess, Jim is a student of history and enjoys reading, writing and golf. He is excited to have the opportunity to work with Kid Chess and share his love and knowledge of chess with children.

Will Driver

Will graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Business Administration. He has lived in Midtown the majority of his life, but has also lived and gone to school abroad. Having been taught chess by a relative, he has played since he was very young. He has been a camp counselor and enjoys working with children. Other interests include playing golf and snowboarding. When not working with Kid Chess he facilitates and manages fund-raising projects for public services.

Daniel Ledoux

Daniel loves to play chess recreationally and plans to enter some tournaments in the near future. He has over 5 years of teaching experience from kindergarten to 6th grade, specializing in science. He attended Florida Atlantic University and has an undergrad degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion. In his spare time, he enjoys devoting time to his family, likes writing lyrics for music and also enjoys athletics. Daniel is currently a personal trainer and has performed Cardiac and Pulmonary rehab at Broward General Medical Center. Also, he volunteers for the American Heart Association.

Shawn Sorensen

Shawn's father taught him chess at 3-4 years old and he played in tournaments up until late middle school where he fell out of playing until college and now is currently playing again. Shawn is graduating from Georgia Institute of Technology in May, and he is looking to start writing and working within the video production business. He has already started a small advertising/ media company.

Ed Felts

Ed is a class A USCF rated player who was introduced at a very early age to the game of chess. His older brother explained how the pieces moved and he won the first game he ever played. He then went on to play his first tournament in Mississippi Junior Championship and won as well. Ed is a retired engineer who is enjoying his grandchildren along with his wife. Ed continues to pursue his love of the game as a Kid Chess instructor having joined the team in January 2009. He now shares his passion for chess with many young students, encouraging them to develop their own skills and grow.

Margaret Higgins

After working as an administrative assistant in the business world for many years, Kid Chess is allowing Margaret to fulfill a lifelong interest in teaching and working with children. She enjoys their energy and eagerness to learn. A novice chess player, Margaret is discovering the fun of chess while receiving instruction from her husband, Steve, also a Kid Chess coach. Margaret’s other interests are reading, gardening and crafts.

Shea Kaste

Shea Kaste joined the Kid Chess team in 2010. She has a 4 year old daughter and elementary age son. Her son is excited about playing chess and wants to engage in chess games often. She has taught science to elementary age children for 3 years. She has earned a Bachelor of Science at Kennesaw State University. Shea handles projects well coordinating details by collecting and analyzing data for various reports. She is working in our Kid Chess office and also in the classrooms.

John Papp

John moved to Atlanta from NE Ohio in 2009. He joined Kid Chess in February of 2010. John is an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Personal Trainer, with a degree in Middle School Education. He’s been a head coach in girls’ volleyball, and boys’ basketball. John loves the safe and stimulating environment Kid Chess creates for kids. In addition, he said, “Chess is the best game there is, for the social and cognitive development of children.”

Joe Hendricks

Joe Hendricks is an avid chess player and enjoys tournament chess. Joe played for the Berkmar Chess Team in high school as a senior, where Berkmar repeated as State Champions and placed 10th in the National High School Team Chess Championship held in Philadelphia. President of the Southern Tech Chess Team, 1980-1982, and competed in the 1980 Pan American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship held in Atlanta, where Southern Tech finished 2nd in their division. Joe graduated from Southern Tech in 1986 with a degree in Electrical Enginering. He enjoys working with kids and helping them be the best they can be. Along with chess, Joe has over 8 years Head coaching youth travel baseball and football.

Shani Childress

Shani Childress is a Santa Monica, California native. She obtained a BA in Psychology from UC Berkeley. Working with children has always been a passion of hers. She has prior teaching experience, co-teaching English as a Foreign Language to students in Japan and as a lead teacher, working with middle school students in southern California. She is excited to combine her passion for working with children with chess instruction, outside of the traditional classroom environment. Shani joined the Kid Chess team in 2011, working in our Kid Chess office in addition to the classrooms. When not at work, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and seizing opportunities to travel abroad.

Kyle Hagen

Kyle Hagen started with Kid Chess Fall of 2010. He is a graduate of Kennesaw State with a background in philosophy and coaching. He is passionate about martial arts and holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Jarvis Luu

Jarvis Luu first learned to play chess when he was very young. He was taught Chinese chess first and eventually moved on to regular Chess. He will be attending Southern Polytechnic State University in the upcoming spring and will be majoring in engineering. He loves outdoor sports especially soccer, having played on the highschool team.

Stone Stafford

Stone Stafford began working with Kid Chess in 2010. Stone sees chess as a wonderful method of teaching children the life skill of how to think ahead and to be mindful of the consequences for their actions. Stone moved to Atlanta from Trenton, NJ with his wife on a music scholarship from Morehouse College. During his first year in college he was signed to a record deal and has continued his career in music ever since working for companies such as Sony/ATV and Atlantic Records. Currently, Stone owns both a music publishing company and one of Atlanta's top recording studios, Icon Studios. He frequently speaks at middle schools and colleges and his life-long affinity for children has led him to be a Youth Leader at his church for the past +12 years.

Neal Phelps

Neal started playing chess on a regular basis with the emergence of the internet. Although he learned the game as a teenager, he grew up in a small town and had very few people to play. Neal graduated from the University of Georgia and moved to Atlanta shortly thereafter where he has worked in data communications for many years. Being an outdoorsman, Neal is interested in almost any outdoor activity and spends much of his free time training for triathlons of all distances including the Ironman distance. He has one daughter and has coached her soccer and softball teams during her childhood. Neal really enjoys sharing his chess knowledge with children and helping them progress in chess and sportsmanship.

Mercedes Wilson

Mercedes began her love of chess when she was 5. She has many fond memories of her parents playing. This has inspired her to continue playing and to teach her siblings how to play. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia State University. She then worked in various customer-service oriented fields for a major bank and as a health care consultant. Her passion has always been helping others, especially children. She is very excited about teaching children to love chess as much as she does. In her spare time she enjoys reading, playing chess, and learning about new cultures. She is currently learning how to speak Hindi/Urdu.

Bryan Smith

Originally from Flint, Michigan, Bryan has lived in the Atlanta area now for 20 years. He has played chess for over thirty years. His interests include going to church, his two daughters, softball, writing, photography, and of course, chess. He is a Georgia certified teacher in three areas for 6 – 12. Bryan is also a coffee afficianado and when he is not teaching chess you will most likely find him drinking coffee at his favorite Starbucks. His job experience includes working at Ryan’s Family Steakhouse assistant manager, and as a high school teacher at Marietta High School.

Cameron Wiggins

Cameron Wiggins learned to play chess at an early age from a family friend; his passion for the game grew at his local library where he played and competed in friendly chess tournaments. Cameron is currently a student studying International Business and Entrepreneurship at Kennesaw State University. He enjoys helping and working with children, which is why he voluntarily coaches elementary and middle school basketball and football teams. When Cameron isn't studying or coaching he enjoys playing competitive basketball and practicing Muay Thai and boxing.

Donna Phillips

Donna Phillips is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. She enjoys playing chess with friends and family for fun. Donna’s professional background has been with IBM in a marketing and sales capacity for most of her career. She also has spent time in construction, insurance, and hardware and software sales. Recently, she provided training for new customers who were installing copiers and printers for the business market. She played a critical role for a sales organization and coordinated efforts among customers, sales reps, and shipping. Many of the customers were schools. Donna is interested in personal development and management training and enjoys Kid Chess because leadership and working well with others attracts her to this environment. She enjoys classical piano, corporate volunteering for community projects, as well as caring for the elderly, and dining with friends and family. She believes in Kid Chess because of the leadership, analytical skills, and friendships that develop as the kids learn to play. Kid Chess is a rewarding program for everyone involved.

Jennifer Henderson

Jennifer is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the History Program at Florida State University where she taught courses in U.S. History for six years. Her father taught her chess when she was in elementary school and she has enjoyed playing the game casually ever since. Jennifer is excited about combining her passion for teaching and her interest in chess with her love of children whose energy and endless curiosity she finds reinvigorating. When not writing her dissertation or developing her chess skills, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband, reading, learning French, cooking, and exploring the world.

Mike Gordon

Mike Gordon has played tournament chess for almost 40 years and in more than 30 states. He has achieved USCF expert ratings in both over the board and correspondence play. He also has served as editor of the Georgia Chess Magazine. Mike holds a BS in Economics from the University of Florida and an MBA in Finance from Florida State. He is recently retired from a 32 year career as Logistics Manager at the Atlanta Journal- Constitution and is enjoying teaching and playing chess. Mike likes working with kids and has been a volunteer with Big Brothers of Atlanta.

Rennie Phillips

Rennie has been playing chess for over forty years, starting in high school in Jamaica. At 16, Rennie placed second in the national high school championships and had a FIDE rating of 1683. Since then, he has played in tournaments and simultaneous exhibitions with FIDE Masters. Rennie has a BS degree in Mathematics from St Augustine’s College and a MS degree in Management Studies from Carleton University. Rennie enjoys teaching children: he has taught Math to students at all levels and is also a certified tennis and soccer coach.

Steve Higgins

Steve played tournament chess as a high school student in the 1970s, and resumed tournament play in the late 1990s. Currently a Class A rated player, Steve joined Kid Chess in 2011, and enjoys teaching the game to school children. After earning a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from Georgia State University in 1982, Steve embarked on a successful career as a newspaper reporter and editor. In 2007 he started his own freelance writing business, Higgins Writing. He returned to his native state of Georgia in 2011 after living in Connecticut, Florida and Arizona over the last 25 years.

JB Busayapongchai

JB's husband taught her how to play chess. She attained Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, M.Ed. in Science Education, and B.Ed. in Biology. As the first runner-up, her team won the World Ethic Contest in 2008. Her most rewarding and favorite part of working with KidChess is when the children demonstrate their analytical skills and express their wittiness. Besides playing chess, JB also enjoys jigsaw puzzles.

Bill Noyes

Bill Noyes has been playing at chess since 1972 and started working with Kid Chess in 1999, when he created the company's first web site. Originally an Z/os mainframe systems programmer, Bill designed, implemented, and continues to maintain the KidChess.com website, 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 was 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. 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.