From Cleveland, Ohio, Stacia Pugh is an adult improver and active chess tournament player. She obtained a Masters Degree in Urban Planning, Design and Development from Cleveland State University. She is very close to her mother, sister, and especially her 6 year old niece & 9 year old nephew! Stacia learned how to play chess when she was young, but didn’t really play at all until college. She casually played with some friends occasionally and then stopped. As time went by, she rediscovered chess, and stumbled across on chess YouTube videos. Shortly after her discovery, Stacia participated in her first tournament at the Parma Chess Club and hasn’t looked back since then!
Besides chess, she played cornhole professionally and was even featured on ESPN several times! She no longer continues cornhole anymore as chess tops all of her interests! She loves to play, watch, learn, teach, and enjoy all things chess!
Before, she worked in community development as the Housing Development Director for Slavic Village Development for 20 years. After that, she pursued her passion in playing cornhole & chess. She started teaching at Menlo Park Academy about 4-5 years ago and loved it! She has taught countless students & classes since. Then after, she took a full time position at ProgressWithChess for 3 years as she enjoyed working with kids & teaching chess. Currently now, Stacia is a full time Chess Advocate & Instructor!
Accomplishments:
-Gone from a 1000 strength to an extraordinary peak rating of 1791 in the 7 years she has been playing!
-Featured on the Perpetual Podcast twice for adult improvement in chess
-Has many students whom gained hundreds of points in rating and won trophies at chess tournaments!
-Played Cornhole Professionally, featured on ESPN
-Masters Degree in Urban Planning, Design and Development from Cleveland State Unviersity