Jeff Hitchlock began teaching chess 40 years ago, to friends, classmates, and anyone interested, before he started teaching professionally with Progress With Chess nine years ago. Jeff learned to play chess when he was 12 years old at Mooney Jr. High in Cleveland. Students were allowed to play chess in the library during lunch period and Jeff learned by watching the other kids play. When one of the kids challenged him to a game for the first time, Jeff ended up checkmating his opponent and has been hooked ever since!
Jeff raises white and rare colored homing pigeons as a hobby. He releases the white ones at weddings, funerals, and special events. Jeff was a foster parent to ten children. The youngest is now eighteen, and they all play chess! Jeff serves as a volunteer for Cleveland Metroparks, where he was certified in First Aid and CPR. Mr. Hitchlock can be contacted by e-mail at sirpigeon@cox.net