Our Team

Light Buggiani

Founder and Director

Light has been teaching young chess players since 1995. In addition to the United States Chess Academy, Light has taught in both school and after-school programs, including the Princeton Day School, LREI, the Browning School, the St. Bernard's School, the Buckley School, and Ethical Culture. He grew up in Rome and now lives in NYC with his wife Monica and their son Luca. While Light has led many students to win state and national championships, his true joy is in sharing the wonder of chess.

Maurice Ashley

Grandmaster

Maurice Ashley, 2004's US Chess Federation Grandmaster of the Year, now brings his talents and passion to the United States Chess Academy! A world-renowned teacher, Ashley coached his teams to win the national championships three times, authored acclaimed chess books and apps, and gave an energetic play-by-play analysis of high-profile chess matches, including Man vs. Machine (IBM vs. Kasparov) and World Championship events as the ESPN chess commentator.

In addition to teaching for the USCA, Maurice serves as a Joint Fellow at Harvard and MIT, expanding the world of chess through innovative use of technology. Ashley views chess as a powerful character-building vehicle for all children, especially at-risk youth. He travels internationally to inspire and to teach.

Aryam Abreu

Grandmaster

Grandmaster Aryam Abreu has been teaching chess to children and top players in every age group since 2002. As the official Cuban team trainer at two Olympiads and one World Cup, Aryam is truly one of the best trainers in the world. His top-flight students include Grandmaster Lenier Dominguez who is rated a whopping 2739 FIDE!  A father of two wonderful girls, Grandmaster Abreu enjoys guiding young minds to experience the joy chess can inspire.

Sandro Pozo

Grandmaster

Grandmaster Sandro Pozo has been an official trainer of the Cuban Youth team at world-class tournaments and has expertly guided a lot of students to reach master strength. Now in the US, Pozo is eager to share his enthusiasm and time-tested training techniques with USCA Students.  With his good humor, experience, and enthusiasm, GM Pozo brings an extraordinary approach to students and classes.

"I enjoy watching children grow as thinkers and learn to navigate the chessboard and all of life's challenges with confidence and energy." 

Jairo Moreira

International Master

Jairo Moreira is an International Chess FIDE Master (World Chess Federation), as well as a Certified FIDE Trainer, and international Tournament Director. Moreira has been coaching students since 2004, both privately and in groups in his charming soft-spoken manner. Among his private students are two National Champions, along with numerous state and local champions. Jairo says, "I love passing on my love of chess and helping kids to see the beauty of it."

James Mann De Toledo  

International Master

Brazilian International Master James Mann De Toledo is a chess author and has been teaching chess in schools for over thirty years.  His love of teaching chess is compelling!  Thirteen of his students have won first place at national championships and two of them have since become Grandmasters.  When he is not teaching and playing chess, James plays and teaches Shogi (Japanese Chess) and has recently won Shogi Championships in the U.S. and Brazil.

Andrea La Manna

FIDE Master

FIDE Master La Manna is an incredible teacher with many years of experience in classrooms, camps, and private lessons. His passion for helping others inspired him to teach chess to inmates in his hometown prison in Italy. Master La Manna brings laughter and a great sense of humor to all his students and has a unique talent for making his chess expertise engaging to all ages. His students have won many accolades, and some have even become chess masters!

"My most rewarding accomplishment is building great friendships with my students and strengthening this bond with each passing year."

Carlos Manuel Lopez

FIDE Master

With over 35 years of coaching experience, FIDE Master Carlos Manuel Lopez has trained some of the world’s top chess players, including Leinier Dominguez. Known for his exceptional pedagogic skill, patience, and engaging teaching style, he creates lessons that are both enjoyable and highly effective. His unique approach has made him a sought-after coach, helping players of all ages and levels excel in their chess journey.

Jason Garfield

National Master

Jason Garfield is a National Master and a leading chess coach in Santa Barbara from 2011-2020 where he founded the Santa Barbara Chess Club and shared his knowledge at local Community Colleges. His dedication to the game brought him to Phoenix, Arizona, where he continues to inspire students. Notably, he's been crowned chess champion of San Luis Obispo County three times. Jason's approach balances professionalism with a touch of fun, ensuring that students grasp the intricacies of the game while also enjoying the journey.

Josue Castillo

National Master

National Master Josue Castillo has been teaching chess to children since 2010. An active tournament player, Castillo loves every aspect of the game and works with children of all ages. In addition to his teaching in NYC, he organizes chess programs for underserved children in the Dominican Republic.

"I really enjoy helping kids grow as confident and independent thinkers."

Nkosi Nkululeko

Master Instructor

Nkosi is a poet and chess teacher from Harlem who utilizes the game as a learning tool across multiple mediums. Before expanding his passion for teaching literature and chess in the last few years, he has over a decade of experience in both scholastic and adult tournaments. He incorporates the game in his creative written work and teaches students in NYC and his community in the form of private and group lessons. 

Zach Galsky

Coach

Zach has been playing chess since his grandfather taught him at age four, and his love for the game has remained insatiable ever since! With a zest for artistry and creative problem-solving, Zach is an enthusiastic teacher who loves to work with all ages.

"Teaching chess to young people is so much fun; I thrill watching them make new connections."

Ari Kaplan

Coach

Ari is a standup comedian and chess enthusiast. He recently graduated from NYU, having double majored in Comparative Literature and Social Cultural Analysis. As a life-long chess aficionado, Ari loves to play any chance he gets with any and all opponents.

“Sharing my enthusiasm and insights with young people is rewarding and fun!”

Aidan Speckhard

Coach

Aidan is a musician, mindfulness meditation teacher, and chess enthusiast based in Harlem, NYC. A Columbia grad with a BA in Religion, he has played chess since his early years and has a deep passion for strategy, big ideas, and cultivating curiosity. Aidan has extensive experience working and volunteering with children and wants to see students and their creative interests flourish.

Nicholas Sare

Coach

Hailing from the vibrant streets of New York City, Nick recently graduated from Columbia University, where he earned degrees in Music and Business. Amidst his busy schedule of touring with his band, Nick's enduring passion for chess remains a constant. A devoted enthusiast for almost two decades, his chess journey began under the guidance of his father, who introduced him to the game's intricate art. Nick aspires to pass on his deep-rooted affection for chess to his students, fostering an appreciation for the game's strategic nuances, imaginative thinking, and the spirit of sportsmanship that underpins its essence.

Bryce Palmer

Coach

Bryce is a recent graduate of Vanderbilt University with a BA in Theatre and BM in Music (Voice) and a lifelong chess player. He’s particularly interested in teaching students strategies for learning from their losses, analyzing their mistakes, and improving their understanding of both the game and themselves. He strives to cultivate and nurture a growth mindset in students, teaching them lessons through chess that will help them in the world at large

Nathan Witkin

Coach

Nathan recently finished his master’s in philosophy at Tufts University and is now writing and teaching. Though he has had a casual interest in chess since childhood, he developed a newfound passion for the game during grad school. Outside of chess, he has also coached competitive debate for Walt Whitman High in Bethesda, MD, and for the Bronx High School of Science. Nathan is thrilled to bring his passion for teaching critical and creative thinking to the USCA.

Justin Cao

Coach

Justin, a Brooklyn native, stumbled upon chess at Brooklyn Tech and never looked back. A recent Baruch College graduate with a B.A. in Sociology, he has a knack for blending math, psychology, and sports into his chess teaching. Beyond the basics, Justin helps students grasp the thought processes behind every move. Plus, with his experience coaching a winning League of Legends team, he knows how to make learning both strategic and fun.