I got my start in chess quite by accident.  My son Evan learned to play chess when he was in Kindergarten.  He had a natural aptitude for it.  In trying to foster his love of the game, I searched high and low for opportunities for him to play in our area.  I was able to meet a few people involved in chess, but I became determined to make chess more accessible for my son and other kids.  I started a local newsletter which I coined "OFF da ROOK".  It included some fun chess puzzles and a few articles and other chess related resources. You can read all of my newsletters by clicking HERE.

​

When I met Chess Grandmaster Timur Gareyev at a tournament my son was playing in and he agreed to an interview, my life changed.  What had started as a tool to help my son play chess turned into a full time career for me.  I started a chess club at my son's school and eventually started teaching chess around town.  I teamed up with a local chess coach and we started running scholastic OFF da ROOK tournaments.  We are now closing in our 18th tournament.   

​

My work with chess expanded to include managing Chess Grandmaster Timur Gareyev, building the BLINDFOLD KING brand and coordinating world wide events for him.  I organized his GUINNESS WORLD RECORD event for Blindfold Chess.  More on this event can be found HERE and coordinated a skydive chess award winning cover for Chess Life Magazine.  

 

I started being asked to write for several chess journals including Chess Life, Chess Life Kids, Chessbase and New In Chess Magazine.  I have a background in Public Relations and continue to work with GM Timur Gareyev promoting his Blindfold Chess endeavors.   

​

I am a former Delegate of the SCCF (Southern California Chess Federation).  I also sit on boards for the Karpov Chess School and the Chess Journalists of America. 

​

Since starting high school, my son no longer plays chess competitively.  I am sure he will return back to it one day.  You can read about my Challenges of Chess Parenting HERE.