VICA for our Advanced Players

Please see my previous post- coach notes. Ashish Vaja has been working with Reid and Evan, and Matt (also from VICA) has just begun working with ChrisT. Ashish has provided the following information for me to post on our blog.
Vaja International Chess Academy (VICA) is a chess school which seeks to produce strong chess players who can be competitive at the national and international level. Chess is an excellent tool when it comes to the cognitive development, work ethic, sportsmanship, outlet for emotions, and fighting spirit in children. Candidate Master Ashish Vaja formed VICA in 2007 because of the lack of organized quality instruction in Wisconsin. His idea was simple, contract out only experienced instructors who must first go through a year training period and must have a USCF rating above 1800. Any instructor who goes through the year training period and does not reach a peak rating of 1800 during that time is considered a VICA Junior Instructor until he/she meets the rating requirements. Since then VICA has grown into a multi faceted business providing services like: instruction for large and small chess programs/clubs, private instruction, small group instruction, bughouse instruction, mini chess camps, sleep over chess camps, and organizing regional and National events, like the 2009 United States Junior Open/Closed Championships. Ashish Vaja learned of chess in the summer of 1998 when he was about to enter 8th grade from a friend during recess. Unfortunately he played in his first tournament without full knowledge of all the rules and the only tournament available was an open adult tournament. He lost all of his games, while upsetting some of his opponents since he did not know en passant, castling, and was not yet fluent with how the knight moved. After the discouraging result and lack of instruction from the local school district he decided not to play chess ever again. Nine months later he was taught the rest of the rules from another friend at school and the rest is history. While Ashish was growing up there were only 3 scholastic tournaments a year in Wisconsin, and no chess schools. It was only by luck that he ran into the famous Wisconsin chess player and superb chess trainer NM Alexander Betaneli who would took Ashish to the next level in chess. He would help Ashish to eradicate all of the bad habits that he picked up going from 1000-1800 in a little over one year without a chess coach. Prior to this Ashish had one private instructor, attended a chess camp, and took a chess class or two, but due to financial problems and lack of quality instruction chose to work mostly by himself. After meeting NM Betaneli he quickly learned that he had developed many bad habits. Most of which were from the poor instruction and learning things incorrectly or at the wrong time in his chess development. It was at this time that Ashish realized that you could give someone all the things that need to be taught to the student to an instructor and it was still possible to present the information in the wrong way or in the wrong order. VICA provides systematic and a tested training methodology to limit bad habits and plateaus.
VICA strives for excellence when it comes to teaching. Our instructors take it upon themselves not only to teach chess, but to teach students about proper work ethic, sportsmanship, and try to help each student to develop an iron will to succeed when trying to tackle any problem on and off of the chess board.
VICA and Wisconsin Chess Academy work together to promote chess in Wisconsin.
The VICA/Wisconsin Chess Academy team:
NM Ashish Vaja—2240 USCF – Milwaukee Ashish Vaja was 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@VajaChess.com
NM & FIDE Master Alexander Betaneli – 2325 USCF -MadisonFIDE Master Alex Betaneli, three time Wisconsin State Champion 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 nine out of the last eleven State Championships ! Alex's students include Ashish Vaja, Erik Santarius, and Brian Luo. Alex@VajaChess.com
National Master Erik Santarius – 2286 USCF-Milwaukee 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. Erik@VajaChess.com
Matthew Schladweiler (Junior Instructor) – 1645 USCF-Milwaukee Matt Schladweiler is a successful coach from Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Having played competitive chess for almost 10 years, he has a vast knowledge of what is needed to become a strong competitive player. Matt is a former Junior High State Champion and has represented Wisconsin at SuperNationals. Matt recently has devoted his time towards teaching chess and starting up 6 different successful elementary, middle and high school chess clubs in his area.
VICA
Info@VajaChess.com or 414.234.1005
www.VajaChess.com