About
Our Staff

Kairav Joshi
Founder & CEO
Kairav Joshi is a renowned chess coach, educational entrepreneur, and creator of the Prodigy Program. After becoming the #1-selling Chess.com coach in 2011, Kairav embarked upon a journey to revolutionize online chess education and founded Chess University and its flagship offering, the Prodigy Program. As the world’s most experienced online chess coach having taught over 50,000 students, Kairav is dedicated to help chess players take their skills to the next level

FM Dalton Perrine
Director of Instruction | Primary Instructor
FM Dalton Perrine is a well-known online chess coach and Director of Instruction at Chess University, Inc. Dalton joined Chess University in 2014 and was the first Primary Instructor to teach in the Prodigy Program alongside Kairav. Notably, Dalton has taught several Chess University programs such as the Cahaba River Chess Club Program and the Bibb County High School honors chess class, the first graded in-school chess class taught live online.

FM Arne Jochens
Director of Content | Primary Instructor
FM Arne Jochens, Ph.D is a highly accomplished educator and chess coach who serves as the Director of Content at Chess University. Arne joined Chess University in 2015 and became the third Primary Instructor in the Prodigy Program. Known for his patient teaching style and detailed insights, Arne has produced numerous courses and taught hundreds of live seminars loved by all. Arne continues to actively compete in the Bundesliga (first German league).

Sophie Marthancho
Director of Operations and Enrollment
Sophie Marthancho is the Director of Operations, Enrollment, and Support at Chess University. Sophie joined Chess University in 2019 and now is the go-to person for our students, the backend administrator on our website, and the person in-charge of keeping Chess University organized.

Jarret Minkler
Director of Technology
Jarret Minkler is a senior programmer and web developer who serves as the Director of Technology at Chess University. Jarret first joined Chess University in 2015 as a student in the Prodigy Program and eventually became our go-to tech advisor.

IM Kostya Kavutskiy
Director of PR | Primary Instructor
IM Kostya Kavutskiy is a widely recognized chess coach and the Director of Professional Relations at Chess University. Kostya joined Chess University in 2015 as the fourth Primary Instructor in the Prodigy Program and has since then, taught numerous seminars and produced many video courses for Chess University.

Ryan Murphy
Assistant Director and Instructor
Ryan Murphy is a chess coach and USCF Expert from Wisconsin who joined Chess University in 2016. Ryan is an Instructor at Chess University regularly produces video courses, analyzes student games, and assists in the creation of other video and written content.

Marek Simon
Assistant Director & Teaching Assistant
Marek Simon is a chess coach from Poland who joined Chess University in 2015. Marek is an Assistant Director and Teaching Assistant who contributes to our analysis, content, and puzzle packs. He has probably analyzed over 1,000 student games by now.

Sweta Kumbhani
Executive Assistant
Sweta is a freelancer who joined Chess University as a Virtual Assistant in 2016. Sweta helps with our social media and other administrative duties.

Supreeth Basabattini
Web Developer
Supreeth is a web developer who joined Chess University as an Intern in 2019. Supreeth is dedicated to building amazing content pages, enrollment pages, and other essentials to help improve students’ experience on ChessUniversity.com.

Nikitha N
Web Developer
Nikitha is a web developer who joined Chess University as an Intern in 2020. Nikitha assists with the development of new pages at ChessUniversity.com.
Our Contributors

GM Viswanathan Anand
Chief Mentor | Prodigy Program Special Instructor

GM Alex Yermolinsky
Prodigy Program Instructor
GM Alex Yermolinsky is a two-time U.S. National Chess Champion who has been an Instructor in Chess University’s Prodigy Program. Alex is known for writing the popular “The Road to Chess Improvement” as well has his insightful video lessons on numerous chess sites.

GM Alexei Shirov
Prodigy Program Special Guest Instructor

GM Peter Heine Nielsen
Prodigy Program Guest Instructor

IM Nazi Paikidze
Prodigy Program Guest Instructor

GM Anatoly Karpov
Prodigy Program Special Guest Instructor
Our Volunteers

Team Member 1
Company Role
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Team Member 1
Company Role

Team Member 1
Company Role
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