About Us
Our staff & volunteers
Our staff & volunteers
Our staff & volunteers
The DC Chess Association works in cooperation with many chess teachers, organizers, and US Chess affiliates in the DC area, including Chess Girls DC, the DC Chess League, DC Scholastic Chess, and the US Chess Center.
Our history
Our staff & volunteers
Our staff & volunteers
The DC Chess Association was formally established by Washington, DC residents, who are active organizers, players, and promoters of chess in the Nation’s Capital. Our board of directors includes the founder of ChessGirlsDC and current and former DC Chess Champions.
Our mission
Our staff & volunteers
Our mission
The mission of the DC Chess Association is to promote chess in the Washington, DC area through classes, tournaments, and events for players of all abilities, fostering a love of the game and its educational and social benefits. The DC Chess Association is a non-profit, educational organization, a recognized 501(c)(3) charity.
Board of Directors
Robin Ransom, President
Marc Rotenberg, Chair / Treasurer
Marc Rotenberg, Chair / Treasurer
A native of Washington, DC, Robin is dedicated to encouraging diversity in Chess tournaments especially as it relates to gender and economic factors. It is her priority to expose students, especially economically challenged students to competition at the local, regional, national and International levels. Robin is the founder of ChessGirl
A native of Washington, DC, Robin is dedicated to encouraging diversity in Chess tournaments especially as it relates to gender and economic factors. It is her priority to expose students, especially economically challenged students to competition at the local, regional, national and International levels. Robin is the founder of ChessGirlsDC, a widely regarded DC-based chess program to elevate girls and young women. Robin is the DC State Scholastic Coordinator for the USCF. She has organized the DC State Chapter events scholastic activities since 2015, including the Denker, Barber, Rockefeller and Haring qualifying events. She has organized many scholastic chess tournaments and chess programs across Washington, DC.
Marc Rotenberg, Chair / Treasurer
Marc Rotenberg, Chair / Treasurer
Marc Rotenberg, Chair / Treasurer
Marc has been active with US Chess for over 50 years – and in DC for over 40 years -- as a tournament player, tournament director, organizer, and supporter of chess programs. Marc is a former DC Chess Champion and former chair of the US Chess Center. He is a Life Member of US Chess, a US Chess Local TD, and a FIDE certified National Che
Marc has been active with US Chess for over 50 years – and in DC for over 40 years -- as a tournament player, tournament director, organizer, and supporter of chess programs. Marc is a former DC Chess Champion and former chair of the US Chess Center. He is a Life Member of US Chess, a US Chess Local TD, and a FIDE certified National Chess Instructor. Marc is also DC lawyer with extensive experience in non-profit management. Marc led the effort of the DC Chess Interim Board to create a new state affiliate for Washington DC.
Siddarth Sharma, Secretary
Marc Rotenberg, Chair / Treasurer
Siddarth Sharma, Secretary
Siddarth Sharma has been in the D.C. area since 2019 and is a lifelong chess player. Siddarth's organizational strengths are in membership and community outreach. He is on the board of the D.C. chapter of OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates as the Vice President of Membership.
IM Oladapo Adu
IM Oladapo Adu
Siddarth Sharma, Secretary
Oladapo Adu is a Nigerian chess player and International Master. He qualified to play in the 31st Chess Olympiad in Moscow and became the Nigerian national champion in 1995. Adu has represented Nigeria in 8 Chess Olympiads and even qualified for the Chess World Cup 2015. His dedication to nurturing chess talent in Nigeria led him to crea
Oladapo Adu is a Nigerian chess player and International Master. He qualified to play in the 31st Chess Olympiad in Moscow and became the Nigerian national champion in 1995. Adu has represented Nigeria in 8 Chess Olympiads and even qualified for the Chess World Cup 2015. His dedication to nurturing chess talent in Nigeria led him to create his own chess academy, where he aims to support the next generation of players12. . He works closely with the ChessGirlsDC and provides chess instruction to the Washington DC community. He teaches courses at the Lamond Riggs / Huff Library. He hosts the YouTube channel Dapsaychess.
Eddie Koen
IM Oladapo Adu
Betsy Miller
Eddie is an avid chess player currently serving as the chess coach at Whittier Elementary School in Washington, DC. He is the parent of two scholastic players and a board member for Chess Girls DC. Eddie actively participates in online chess and identifies himself as a member of the #chesspunks community, a group of adult improvers. With
Eddie is an avid chess player currently serving as the chess coach at Whittier Elementary School in Washington, DC. He is the parent of two scholastic players and a board member for Chess Girls DC. Eddie actively participates in online chess and identifies himself as a member of the #chesspunks community, a group of adult improvers. With a rating of 2200+ on LiChess, he also held the position of the former president of his college chess team. He was significantly involved in scholastic chess as a former Freedom Chess Academy board member in Tuscaloosa, AL. Moreover, Eddie has claimed titles such as the former Montgomery Dog Days II Champion (AL), Make a Chess Move Champion (CO), Corn Beef Open Champion (AL), and George Washington Open U1800 Co-Champion (VA).
Eddie Koen possesses extensive experience in nonprofit and board governance. He currently serves as the president of the Institute for Educational Leadership in Washington, DC, an education policy and technical assistance organization serving over 400 under-resourced communities nationwide.-
Betsy Miller
IM Oladapo Adu
Betsy Miller
Betsy is the former Secretary of the DC Chess Association. She is a Washington DC attorney with extensive experience in non-profit management, leadership training, and government relations.
Reggie Lucket
Salvador Rosario
Salvador Rosario
Reginald Lucket is Pastor of Saint Paul Christian Community Church of Washington DC. He actively promotes chess in Washington DC communities, working in association with ChessGirlsDC and the Black Knights.
Salvador Rosario
Salvador Rosario
Salvador Rosario
Salvador Rosario is a five-time D.C. Champion and twice D.C. Senior Champion. He taught chess at the US Chess Center.