Coaches
Nellie Naidoo Director of T.H. Rogers Chess Program
Nellie Naidoo Director of T.H. Rogers Chess Program
Nellie Naidoo Director of T.H. Rogers Chess Program
Nellie Naidoo is a highly organized individual with long and diverse experience in a host of different industries, businesses, and educational organizations.
Throughout her working life she has exhibited a high level of professionalism, creativity and initiative that has been recognized in formal and informal ways by companies and organi
Nellie Naidoo is a highly organized individual with long and diverse experience in a host of different industries, businesses, and educational organizations.
Throughout her working life she has exhibited a high level of professionalism, creativity and initiative that has been recognized in formal and informal ways by companies and organizations she has worked for. She has received the Guiding Star Award for 2012 from Parents for Public Schools of Houston for expanding the Chess program at T.H. Rogers. She has also received an Achievement Award, from the United States Chess Federation in 2011, for running the largest chess program in Houston with consistently high enrollments at tournaments. Additionally, she has received the VIPS (Volunteers in Public Schools) award (2007-2008) from the HISD for increasing parent participation in T.H. Rogers and starting the International Festival.
She is currently the chess coordinator and coach at T.H. Rogers. As part of the Enrichment Program, she also teaches K to 2nd grade Vanguard. For the past 6 years, she has ran a highly organized Chess Summer Camp at T.H. Rogers with highly rated chess coaches, which is open to all children in the Houston area and beyond.
Her 17 years of service at the Chess Program at T.H. Rogers have been very successful because of her people’s skills, her passion for chess and her dedication in developing young students.
Daniel Fernandez (Grand Master)
Nellie Naidoo Director of T.H. Rogers Chess Program
Nellie Naidoo Director of T.H. Rogers Chess Program
When Daniel was 6 years old, he learned the rules of the game by watching his father and older brother play. It didn’t take long for the future International Master to develop a sincere love of chess, and by the age of 7, he was competing regularly in tournaments. By age 10, Daniel became a USCF expert; the following year, he became the y
When Daniel was 6 years old, he learned the rules of the game by watching his father and older brother play. It didn’t take long for the future International Master to develop a sincere love of chess, and by the age of 7, he was competing regularly in tournaments. By age 10, Daniel became a USCF expert; the following year, he became the youngest National Master in the United States. At age 12, he represented the United States at the World Youth Chess Championship in Cannes, France. He would go on to represent the United States team in three additional international competitions.
Over the years, Daniel would achieve other successes in the game of chess; he earned the FIDE Master (FM) title in 1999 after winning the Pan American Championship, and became the youngest winner of the Florida State Championship at 16. After earning the International Master (IM) title in 2005, he became the US Junior Closed Champion. The following year, he finished in 6th place at the US Championship (ahead of 30 Grandmasters). In 2009, Daniel became the Texas State Champion.
In keeping with his deep appreciation for the game of chess, Daniel has been coaching since the age of 16. His students have won numerous state titles and national titles. He has helped produce over 15 expert level players (2000+) and three master level players (2200+). His current students are among the highest ranked in Houston.
Co-Owner of Chess Masters of Houston
Andrew Koenigsberg
Nellie Naidoo Director of T.H. Rogers Chess Program
Andrew Koenigsberg
In 2012, Andrew became co-champion for the Hong Kong National Chess Championship. He also got equal first in the Nation. Coach Andrew hails from New York, having coached several of their top chess teams.
He is a USCF Candidate Master with over 15 years of teaching experience and has taught at chess camps across the US Open U2100 in 2018.
In 2012, Andrew became co-champion for the Hong Kong National Chess Championship. He also got equal first in the Nation. Coach Andrew hails from New York, having coached several of their top chess teams.
He is a USCF Candidate Master with over 15 years of teaching experience and has taught at chess camps across the US Open U2100 in 2018.
He has coached in Houston for more than five years - and currently coaches at T.H. Roger's, River Oaks Elementary and Askew Elementary School. .
Currently taking Private Students.
Coaches
Grandmaster Joshua Ruiz
Grandmaster Joshua Ruiz
Grandmaster Joshua Ruiz
Joshua comes from a chess family. His father even drew against the great AnotolyKarpov in one Olympiad. When he was 6 yrsold he was accompanying a cousin to a chess tournament, and that was the exact moment when he fell in love with this amazing sport. He is the youngest Grandmaster ever in Colombia and earned the title at the age 20.
Grandmaster Carlos Hevia
Grandmaster Joshua Ruiz
Grandmaster Joshua Ruiz
Carlos learned to play chess with his dad when he was 9. He then registered at a chess school and started taking formal lessons and became one of the best players in his category at a national level.
Became a grandmaster when he was 23 years, he reached 2500 rating when he was 18 years old.