Meet Our NSCF Instructors – New York
NM BEN GERSHENOV
National Master Benjamin Gershenov is an accomplished chess player with a remarkable track record of success. He has won multiple national championships, including his victory at the prestigious 2012 High School Nationals. Benjamin's chess journey was profoundly influenced by his mentor, the esteemed coach Sunil, whose guidance during Benjamin's junior years played a crucial role in shaping his skills and deepening his passion for the game.
Driven by a love for chess and a desire to give back, Benjamin discovered his passion for teaching and has dedicated himself to inspiring others through his knowledge and enthusiasm for the game.
NM Chris Welcome
NM Chris Welcome has been teaching chess to children since 2000. He has taught chess within the curriculum in over 30 public schools. Chris has also coached several school teams to success in national competition, and guided three young players over the 2000 rating level.
Chris was part of a group in Brooklyn called the “Black Bear School of Chess” which fostered the growth and development of many African American chess players in the late 1970s. Many masters emerged from this group, including Ernest Colding, Ronald Simpson, William Morrison, and GM Maurice Ashley. Chris earned his National Master’s title in 1982.
Chris was part of a group in Brooklyn called the “Black Bear School of Chess” which fostered the growth and development of many African American chess players in the late 1970s. Many masters emerged from this group, including Ernest Colding, Ronald Simpson, William Morrison, and GM Maurice Ashley. Chris earned his National Master’s title in 1982.
JIM SANTORELLI
Jim Santorelli, the co-founder and original Associate Executive Director of the National Scholastic Chess Foundation, is a nationally recognized authority on chess in education, boasting an impressive 30 years of experience in chess instruction. Over his career, Jim has successfully guided his students to 13 National Championships!
With a business degree from Pace University, as well as USCF Candidate Master title, Jim's approach to chess instruction is characterized by a strong emphasis on strategic thinking and meticulous planning. Known for his carefully crafted classroom lectures, Jim’s unwavering passion for the game continues to empower players to enhance their skills and abilities.
With a business degree from Pace University, as well as USCF Candidate Master title, Jim's approach to chess instruction is characterized by a strong emphasis on strategic thinking and meticulous planning. Known for his carefully crafted classroom lectures, Jim’s unwavering passion for the game continues to empower players to enhance their skills and abilities.
Polly Wright
Polly Wright is a former New England Women’s Champion and was regularly ranked among the top 100 women in the U.S. Polly is a triathlete who continues to compete in Senior events around the world. She is also a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. With an indomitable competitive spirit, Polly draws on her experiences to inspire her chess students to always do their best.
Polly has been a tournament director for over 30 years. She holds the title of USCF Senior Tournament Director and frequently works at national championship events. Polly is the Chief Tournament Director for our NSCF and Hunter chess tournaments.
Polly has been a tournament director for over 30 years. She holds the title of USCF Senior Tournament Director and frequently works at national championship events. Polly is the Chief Tournament Director for our NSCF and Hunter chess tournaments.
NATHAN GOLDBERG
Nathan Goldberg began teaching chess to children in 1999 for Chess-in-the-Schools. He became an elementary math and chess teacher for the NYC Department of Education in 2005. In 2016, Nathan joined the NSCF to focus on teaching his first love, chess.
A Category 1 player, Nathan helps his students understand the connections between chess and other subjects, particularly math. He has created chess worksheets, puzzles, activities, and poetry to help him teach, always challenging his students to think in new ways. Seeing chess as the perfect metaphor for life, Nathan shares his enthusiasm and passion for learning at every opportunity, and has the ability to motivate children to achieve.
COULTER LESLIE
A recording artist and chess player, Coulter Leslie has been a classroom teacher for many years at the high school, middle school, and elementary school levels, teaching social studies, science, and gardening. Additionally, he began his previous school's first chess club.
An avid player since the age of 7, Coulter brings to NSCF both a tremendous enthusiasm for the game, coupled with extensive classroom experience at all grade levels.
JOE MAHER
Joe Maher learned to play chess as a child but did not start playing tournaments until college. A former NYPD officer who retired as a lieutenant, Joe has been teaching chess since 1998. He was president of the Bronx-Yonkers Chess Club for many years. In addition to teaching for NSCF, he has been one of our tournament directors and organizers.
CHRIS KEEFE
Chris Keefe has been a Class A tournament player since 2011. He has a USCF peak rating of 1939. Chris has defeated many chess masters in tournament play and drew International Master Jack Peters in a simul in 2016. He is a former student of Jeremy Silman and Dan Heisman and has been teaching chess with the NSCF since 2017. Chris is also a pianist and has been teaching and performing music since 1998. A Yamaha Music Education System trained teacher, Chris graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music with a BA in jazz studies and earned his master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music.
Silvio Rosato
Silvio Rosato has been an NSCF instructor since 1999 and teaches both enrichment and curricular classes for the NSCF. A master of classroom management and teaching strategies, Silvio effectively uses many sources and varies his approach adjusting his tone, activity and interaction to best meet the needs of the children.
Silvio has been a tournament director for NSCF as well as for the New York State Championships. He excels at directing the young players in the K-1 section where his calm manner while maintaining high standards makes events a pleasure for our youngest players and for their parents.
Silvio has been a tournament director for NSCF as well as for the New York State Championships. He excels at directing the young players in the K-1 section where his calm manner while maintaining high standards makes events a pleasure for our youngest players and for their parents.
LAWRENCE JOHNSON
Lawrence Johnson began playing chess in his younger years and says his high point was defeating GM Svetozar Gligoric in the 70's; at the time GM Gligoric was rated 20th in the world. After many years focusing on family and career, Lawrence returned to tournament play and has been active as a senior player for over 20 years. As a teacher, Lawrence taught chess in New York City Public Schools for over 10 years before joining the NSCF.
ANTHONY FEDERICI
Anthony Federici grew up playing chess and found success teaching adaptive chess to special education and elementary age students. He graduated from Sacred Heart University with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and worked in special education for 18 years. In addition to chess, he enjoys playing beach volleyball, pickleball, and bowling at a competitive level.
PETE ZIMMER
Pete Zimmer learned the game of chess from his father at a young age and has played his entire life. As a graduate of New England Conservatory of Music in Boston with a Jazz Drumming degree, Pete has taught a wide range of music programs to all ages of students from kindergarten to adults and brings his enthusiasm and passion to every classroom he teaches weather it be chess, music, or anything else.
Frequently playing New York's top jazz clubs, Pete appears on numerous recordings, including several as a band leader that you can find on many of the streaming platforms.
SEAN MCDERMOTT
Sean McDermott spent many years playing chess recreationally beginning in elementary school when he would with play chess over the phone with a friend and graduating to late night college games. A retired public school technology teacher, Sean is also a former engineer who has travelled the world working in supply chain logistics.
JORDAN FIGUEROA
Jordan Figueroa discovered chess at age 7 in an afterschool program and soon became quite serious as he regularly played with classmates. An active member of both his high school and college chess clubs, he competed in tournaments.
Jordan's passion for education developed through volunteering as a mentor and tutor for underprivileged children at the "El Centro Hispano" non-profit. This experience shaped his interest in teaching. Jordan is set to graduate from Lehman College in 2025 with a Bachelor's in Computer Science and a Mathematics minor. He makes learning chess engaging and encourages students to embrace challenges.
KIERAN ROCHE
Kieran Roche learned to play chess at a young age and played in tournaments during his high school and college years. A filmmaker and creator of digital media content, he has extensive experience teaching photography, as well as film and animation production. Kieran extended his repertoire with the NSCF as a chess instructor since early 2024.