Chess Coaches

David Hayes

David began coaching chess at Randolph School in 1994 leading teams to State championships.  He served as President of the Huntsville Chess Club from 1994-1997.  He currently serves as Treasurer of the Huntsville Chess Club and coaches chess at Heritage and Mill Creek Elementary schools in Madison.  David is a certified Local Tournament Director with the United States Chess Federation.  David is also available to teach private lessons and can be contacted at dahleet@gmail.com.

Paul Mulqueen paul-mulqueen

Ph.D. biochemistry, coaches the chess teams at James Clemens High school and Liberty Middle school. “I believe that we play chess for two reasons. One, it is a lifetime of fun. After a student has mastered the basics, approximate chess rating of 800, they have a competitive skill that will provide decades of enjoyment. Two, “Chess is Training for Life”. Chess emphasizes creating a vision for what success looks like, creating a plan to bring that vision to reality, and executing that plan. Chess teaches the student how to execute their plans while dealing with external forces. As in life your opponent has plans of their own. Chess provides all the life lessons of competitive sports without the physical injuries.” Paul is a Certified Local Tournament Director with the USCF. Coach Paul is available for private chess lessons. He charges $40 per hour and can be contacted at pmulqueen@exede.net.

Luis Morenilla 

luis-morenilla

Retired engineer (MSEE from Penn State), married, two children. MCCL welcomes Luis as chess coach. Luis stays busy trading stocks and tutoring students and adults in math and Spanish. His main hobbies are tennis, chess, and travel. “Chess has always been an important part of my life, and I believe it has helped me in my work as an engineer. I learned to play from my father, and I remember playing with my grandfather when I was five.” Coach Luis will be head coach for Mill Creek Elementary in the 2016-17 school year. He is an active chess tournament player with his highest USCF rating above 1850.  He finished in 18th place at the 2016 State Championships.  He is available for private coaching at a rate of $30 per hour. He can be reached at luismorenilla@yahoo.com.

will-stevensonWill Stevenson 

“I have been playing chess casually since I was about 17, but did not begin competing in tournaments until around 2006 (about age 26). I joined the Huntsville Chess Club around 2001, which gave me good training and a good place to test my skills against strong competition. Since entering competitive tournament play, I have been able to finish strongly and even win several tournaments. Among the victories have been two state championships, two Huntsville City Championships, a win in a Grand Prix tournament in Tennessee in 2010, and a victory in an individual game against Grandmaster Anatoly Lein at the Kings Island Open in 2009. I also have some experience as a personal chess instructor, having mentored several kids between the ages of 7 and 15. I am a general chess enthusiast and chess addict who enjoys playing with and teaching the game to people of all ages and levels.” Will currently coaches at Rainbow Elementary. Coach Will is available for private chess lessons. He charges $40 per hour and can be contacted at will.t.stevenson@hotmail.com.