Meet Rodolfo.

“I teach because teaching is one of the best ways to keep learning.”

Chess coach, educator, competitive player, and software engineer.

My story

I found chess at twenty-four.

I discovered chess in 2014 and started playing regularly soon afterward.

I studied, played tournaments, joined US Chess, and spent the next few years learning the game through competition and practice.

In 2018, I began coaching private students and groups in New Orleans. That work later included summer chess programs and recreational programs through Strategic Thoughts and the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD).

My background also includes a degree in Food Engineering, training in Full-Stack Web Development, an Early Education certification, preschool teaching, special-education support, and software engineering.

Classroom moments

A few moments from the classroom.

Young student concentrating over a chessboard during a lesson

Two young students playing chess together

Coach Rodolfo working with a young student over a chessboard

Young student exploring a chess position at home

Coach Rodolfo smiling with two young chess students

Two young chess students smiling together behind a chessboard

Experience

Chess, coaching, and education.

Chess

Competitive experience

Playing since 2014
US Chess member since 2017
USCF Classical rating around 1900
USCF Rapid rating around 2000
Chess.com Blitz peak of 2230
Tournament experience in classical, rapid, and blitz
Multiple club-level rapid first-place finishes

Coaching

Chess coaching

Chess coach from 2018 to 2023
Private one-on-one instruction
Groups of approximately 8–12 students
Summer chess camps
Hired by Strategic Thoughts
Taught within New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD) programs

Education

Education experience

Four years teaching preschool-aged children
Two years as a special-education paraprofessional
Worked with students in grades 2, 3, and 5
Degree in Food Engineering
Full-Stack Web Development training
Early Education certification

Complimentary introduction

Meet, play, and talk about what you're looking for.

New learners and families can begin with one complimentary 25-minute introduction. We'll meet, play some chess, discuss experience and goals, and decide whether continuing feels right.

Book a complimentary introduction