San Diego Surfers Chess Camp

Learn from Southern California's Best! This summer Aug 3-7, 2020

Meet the Instructors!

The San Diego Surfers Chess Camps will be taught by the very experienced chess coach and San Diego local, International Master Keaton Kiewra; one of the country's most talented rising juniors and feared players, International Master Joshua Sheng; and another one of country's most talented juniors and dedicated players, International Master Craig Hilby. Guest Grandmaster instructors may be brought in as well depending on attendance.

GM Melik Khachiyan

Grandmaster Melik Khachiyan has been one of Southern California's top players and coaches for decades. Melik has won many Southern California tournaments, and coached nearly all of the regions top young talents. Several of Melik's students have gone on to become titled players such as Annie Wang, Craig Hilby, and many others, not least of which is former world #2 Levon Aronian. Melik regularly coaches the U.S. Women's and Men's teams in world wide events such as the Olympiad. He also played the PRO Chess League for 2 seasons as a San Diego Surfer, and is an integral part of our team. We are fortunate to have Melik coming to our camp to give a lecture and share his wealth of experience and legacy with our campers, and possibly to play a larger instructors role if possible.

IM Keaton Kiewra

Keaton is a San Diegan International Master with 2 GM norms, and is a current 2016 Co-Champion of Southern California. He has over 10 years of professional coaching experience and is the manager of the San Diego Surfers PRO Chess League team. Many of Keaton's students have won state and national scholastic titles, and some have competed at the World Youth Chess Championships. Keaton loves exploring new passions in life and enjoys hiking, cooking, tennis, mindfulness, and eating great San Diegan food!

IM Joshua Sheng

Josh is an up and coming International master who boasts several wins against strong GMs. His ability to calculate and assess chess positions quickly make him one of the most feared players on the SoCal circuit. Josh is one of the strongest young player in the U.S., and is both the current Southern California State Champion and the Northern California State Champion! Joshua's favorite hobbies include science bowl (which he is also nationally ranked in!), Pokémon, ping pong, and playing bullet.

IM Craig Hilby

Craig, of the strongest juniors in the U.S., is an experienced International Master with one Grandmaster Norm. He has beaten several GMs and is known for his sharp intuition and quick calculation. Craig is currently on a full ride to the University of Texas at Dallas from chess and national merit scholarships. He loves ultimate frisbee, running, reading, meditating, and any activities involving a lot of adrenaline rush (such as skydiving!)

FM and WIM Annie Wang

Women's International Master Annie Wang is the 2018 U.S. Women's co-Champion and runner up on tie breaks, making her one of the strongest female chess players in the nation! She is also one of the strongest and most consistent players on the Southern California Chess Circuit. We are planning for Annie to come to the camp one day and give a simul.