Coach Malcolm Nesbit- Chess Rating – 1,297 (Beginners & Intermediate)

I’ve been passionate about chess for many years, and since January 2024 I’ve had the privilege of working with Think Move Chess. Alongside coaching, I’ve served as an Assistant Tournament Director for SCISA tournaments and have United States Chess Federation credentials, gaining meaningful experience in organizing events, supporting fair play, and helping tournaments run smoothly.

Teaching youth is the most rewarding part of my chess journey. I love helping students grow as players and as thinkers, showing them how focus, patience, creativity, and strong decision-making on the board translate into real-life skills.

At Think Move Chess, I strive to create a positive and supportive learning environment where each student feels confident to learn, improve, and enjoy the game. I believe that when children learn chess, they gain tools that prepare them for success far beyond the board—and helping them develop those strengths is a meaningful way to contribute to a better future.

Sean Miller wears many hats in the chess community. He is a tournament director, an afterschool instructor, a coach for both children and adults, and an active player with a peak rating of 1715 USCF. Sean has worked with students from a variety of backgrounds and skill levels, ranging from complete beginners to tournament players. His students have placed highly in several tournaments in the state, including first place wins in the Palmetto State Chess League, and multiple first place performances in the U1000 and U1600 sections of Tunnelvision tournament series. Sean's teaching style relies heavily on game review to find specific areas of improvement for each student.

Coach Valerie Heaton- Chess Rating- 960 (Beginners & Intermediate)

How I learned to play chess: I learned how to play chess from my dad when I was 8 years old, and have been playing online and with my university friends ever since. I'd say I have about 16 years of experience with it, most of it in-person, not digital. I have been working at Think Move for a year now and have developed good textbook knowledge of chess for teaching younger students.

Rating: I have no chess.com official rating, but I am familiar with the website. I mainly like to do the puzzles when I'm able and have a 1151 rating for them. In class I'm good at catching up beginners and solidifying intermediate players, especially when it comes to avoiding common traps. I believe I could be good for creating a solid foundation for a student to work with before going on to more advanced topics.

Favorite game/strategy: I like the London system as far as strategy, since it's adaptable. It's a simple but effective start for white with the Queen's pawn that I enjoy using.

Favorite chess piece: I like the rook because it can make a nice, straightforward checkmate strategy when paired with a queen or another rook.

Anecdote: I'm a highly defensive player, which forces my students to be more brave and to take more risks against me. In my experience teaching, some of the best moments have been seeing my students pull off attack patterns like forks, pins, skewers, batteries, etc. against me, demonstrating their learning directly to the board.

Coach Mike Sailer- 6 X’s National Grand Master- Chess Rating -2,210  (Advanced Level(

National Master Mike Sailer to our coaching team here at the Columbia Chess Club. Mike is a National Master with nearly 40 years of playing and coaching experience. With a peak rating of 2248, he has won 21 state championships during that time and is a three-time Denker High School representative (1988-1990) and a Irwin 50+ representative (2023). Mike was elected to the ND Chess Hall of Fame in 2007. He continues to be a very active OTB and online player to this day. Mike specializes in teaching students how to expand their positional understanding and simplifying the decision-making process of finding strong moves. 

Coach Christian Carver- Chess Rating 1,860-  All Levels)

Hi, my name is Christian. I started playing Chess at 8 years. My parents taught their children the rules of the game and then my Grandpa helped my two brothers and I go from beginner to intermediate. Since then I have played in multiple tournaments and avidly play the game today.

Coach Alexander Moreno- Chess Rating- 1,800 - (All Levels)

My name is Alexander Moreno, and I have been playing chess since I was

eleven years old. I became fascinated with chess when I checked out a book from my

school library that showed me the moves. I remember being especially intrigued by the

idea that you could get another queen by moving a pawn all the way to the eighth rank.

Soon after, I began playing with my father every day. When I started regularly beating

him, my parents entered me into my first scholastic chess tournament. I won first place,

and I was absolutely hooked. After playing for many years after my first tournament, I

have obtained a peak rating (so far!) of 1807. The highlight of my chess career has

been getting to be the high school representative for the state of South Carolina at the

Denker Tournament of High School Champions in 2018.

I have many years of experience with teaching chess, particularly with teaching

children. I have a love for the games of the great players from the past, and I want to

introduce these players and their games to the next generation. Not only will they grow

to appreciate more about chess history, but they will also grow stronger at the game

itself.  Please reach out if you are interested. I would love to work with your child!

Coach Daniel  Flatten- Chess Rating 1864- (All Levels)

I learned the basic rules of chess at a young age, but it wasn't until my parents bought me a small book about chess strategy that my love for chess really took hold. I read all the chess books at my local library and tried out what I learned on some of my friends, but I didn't get the chance to play in chess tournaments until I was out of high school. The chess opportunities available right now — clubs, coaching, online resources, and local scholastic tournaments — make it a great time to be a kid learning chess, and I'm happy to be a part of it. There's nothing like seeing a student's eyes light up when a chess concept "clicks" for the first time.

Coach Roger Johnson- Chess Rating-1,920 (All levels)

I was taught by my Dad when I was 7 or 8 years old on how to move the pieces. It wasn’t until in high school and college when I started to be a student of the game. The best part about teaching children in the Think Move Chess Academy is when I see the kids showing that they understand the lessons and start playing better games. 

My chess career spans over 40 years and my rating started out at 1300 and hit its peak at 2130. Have had some good results in a number of tournaments over the years. The best year was in 2022 when I finished tied for first place at the South Carolina State Championship and later that year finished clear first at the South Carolina Open. Here is a list of my best results over the years.

Tied for first at the 2022 South Carolina State Championship.

Won the 2022 South Carolina Open.

Tied for 2-4 place in the 2021 13th Annual SC Senior Open.

Won the 2014 Martin Luther King Classic Open Championship in Alabama.

Finished in 1st place class A at the 2010 Annual Queen of Hearts Open in Alabama.

Placed clear 2nd in the 1996 South Carolina State Championship.

Tied for first place in the 1989 Dallas, Texas City Chess Championship.

Finished in 1st place class B at the 1978 Southwest Open in Texas.

Finished in 1st place class C in the 1974 Southwest Open in Texas.

As you can see victories are hard to come by and there were a lot of won and lost games between each of them. Hope this gives you a better insight into Coach Roger’s experience with the game of chess.

Coach Ernie Toledo-Chess Rating-1,248 (Beginners & Intermediate)

I learned to play chess when I was in grade school. I have enjoyed playing the game of Chess ever since. I have a lot of experience teaching young people the game of chess, including my grandchildren! My experience of teaching chess provides me with many opportunities to share with the young chess learners, not only the rules and strategies of chess, but also the importance of planning, taking initiative, being flexible, demonstrating sportsmanship, and learning the importance of perseverance. I know from experience that the game of chess can help a young chess player with character development and life skills. I would love the opportunity to teach your young person the game of chess!