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Vaja International Chess Academy LLC

Instructors

VICA instructors are all exeperienced competitive chess players with at least two years of teaching experience.

NM Ashish Vaja

USCF: 2239

Ashish Vaja is the 2007 United States G/30 Champion, and one of the top players in Wisconsin. He has played in local, national, and international events, and has represented the state of Wisconsin on two occasions. Having won 10+ open chess tournaments he has a vast knowledge of competitive chess. His students include: beginners, state, and national champions. Ashish has been teaching for 5+ years and, he is currently a full time chess player and chess trainer.

Ashish's recent tournament achievements include:

2007 North American FIDE Open Co-Champion

2007 United States G/30 Champion

2007 Waukesha Chess Club Champion

2007 Milwaukee City Champion

2006 Milwaukee City Champion
1^st 2006 U.W. Winter Open

1^st 2006 Northeastern Open

1^st 2005 Wisconsin Chess Tour

1^st 2005 Waukesha Memorial

NM Alexander Betaneli

USCF: 2277

National Master Alex Betaneli is successful as a player and as a coach. In the past decade alone, he has won more than fifty tournaments in Wisconsin. His students have captured the most honorable state titles. The team he coaches--Madison West High School--has won the unprecedented eight out of the last ten State Championships. Alex's students include Ashish Vaja, Erik Santarius, and Brian Luo.

NM Erik Santarius

USCF: 2204

Erik Santarius is a young, creative,

devoted student of chess. He played

first board for the Madison West High

School team, helping them win three

State Championships and finish third

at Nationals in 2005. Erik has competed

in many tournaments in Wisconsin and

across the country, with several open

tournament victories to his credit.

His teaching experience began at

Madison West High School and continues

to grow with the Wisconsin Chess

Academy and the University School of
Milwaukee.

Vaja International Chess Academy * 6822 North Crestwood Dr * Milwaukee, WI * US * 53209