Name: Michael Joelson
Nickname: “Mr. Chess”
Age: 64
Location: South Euclid, OH
Schools Teaching In: Beachwood Sunday Chess Lessons
Email: mdjoelson@progresswithchess.org
Michael Joelson learned chess from his father at age five, but he did not play tournament chess until 1979 at age 25, later earning the National Master title in 1988. Michael quickly became a tournament director in 1980, and has organized and directed hundreds of events, both adult and scholastic, including dozens of state championships. In 2000, Joelson founded a non-profit organization, now called Progress with Chess, in order to receive grant funding to teach in the Cleveland Metropolitan Schools. Shortly after, suburban chess programs and activities were placed under the umbrella of Progress with Chess as well. A former president of the Ohio Chess Association and Ohio Scholastic Chess Association, Michael still serves on the board of both organizations. In 2016, Michael Joelson received the USCF Meritorious Service Award.
CHESS EXPERIENCE:
Chess Rating and Title: 2200 USCF National Master
Best Chess accomplishments: 2003 Ohio Chess Co-Champion, 2018 Akron Chess Club Co-Champion, Winner of the first Parma Open 5-0, with pre-tournament rating of 1880!
Years in chess: 40
Years with PWC: 20
Teaching experience: Personal coach of many Ohio Scholastic Champions. Twenty years teaching chess in classroom settings to students from diverse backgrounds.
Offer Private Lessons? Yes, mdjoelson@progresswithchess.org, 216-321-7000
Interests & Hobbies: Spirituality, table tennis, sports, politics
Family: Wife Cathy, three stepchildren
Occupation: President and Founder of Progress with Chess
Education: Cleveland Heights High School