Passion Beyond the Board
Mastering Every Move
At Emerald Hills Chess Club & School Inc., passion meets purpose.
We are more than just a chess club – we are a community of learners, teachers, and thinkers who believe in the power of strategy, patience, and creativity.
Our team is dedicated to creating an environment where students not only master the art of chess but also develop critical life skills such as focus, discipline, and decision-making.
Every move we make, both on and off the board, is driven by our commitment to growth and excellence.
Meet Our Team
Experienced, Passionate Organizers and Coaches
Bhavna Jain (Co-Founder)
- Advisor, Dublin High School Chess Club
- Co-Founder and Organizer, Wallis Ranch Chess program
- Co-Lead Organizer for Fallon Chess program, 2019 to 2021
- 5+ years of volunteer experience organizing and leading school projects including chess classes and tournaments.
- Maths and Chemistry tutor and Computer science grad
Eric Lai (Co-Founder, Coach)
- Co-Founder, Organizer and Coach, Fallon Middle School Chess Club
- Advisor, Dublin High School Chess Club
- Co-Founder, Wells Middle School Chess Club
- 10+ years as professional chess teacher
- USCF tournament player (peak OTB rating: 1738) competing at state and national scholastic tournaments
- Former journalist and Silicon Valley corporate director
Evan Ai (Coach)
- USCF National Master with 2200+ rating
- One of Top 40-rated 18 year olds in America; among Top 50 by age in U.S. for more than a decade
- 2019 CalChess State High School Champion
- Defeated multiple IMs and GMs in international-level play
Sana Tsogtsaikhan (Coach)
- USCF Candidate Master with peak rating of 2199
- Former California Women’s State Champion and U.S. Women’s Open Champion
- 5+ years as a professional chess teacher
Katherine Pask (Coach)
- Top 50 in the US for girls by age for last four years
- Tournament player for 10+ years
- Chess teacher for 3+ years, including at Wells Middle School, Mavin Academy, and Emerald Hills
Student Coaches
- We also train and hire local high school and college students as volunteer assistants and paid coaches.
- Many of them are current members or alumni of the DHS, Fallon or Wells chess programs.
- Not only are they strong players, but many have extensive experience as volunteer chess teachers.
- If you are interested in spreading your love of chess, contact us!
Kaushik Bakhandi (Coach)
Co-Founder and Coach, Fallon Middle School Chess Club
10+ years as a professional chess teacher
State ranked junior player in India; USCF A player currently with 2000 tournament rating
Full-time IT consultant