Ready Set Chess provides in-school chess instruction for public and private schools throughout New York City. We also offer after-school programs, bring teams to compete in tournaments, and run an 8-week summer camp based in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.
Who We Are
Nicholas Chatzilias, founder and lead instructor
Nick has been teaching chess to New York City students since 2001. A native of Toronto, Nick learned to play chess when he was 5 and has been passionate about beating his dad and older brother ever since. As an instructor at Chess in the Schools for seven years, Nick taught in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, coaching hundreds of K-8 students and assisting at I.S. 318, the 54-time national chess champions featured in the movie Brooklyn Castle. Nick founded Ready Set Chess in 2011 and continues to enjoy sharing the beauty of the game with students at RSC schools in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
olga Sagalchik, instructor
Olga Sagalchik is a Women’s FIDE Master and an 8-time participant in the U.S. Women’s Championship. She has been teaching chess to NYC students for over two decades, coaching scholastic chess players to numerous national, state and city titles.
Oscar Santana, instructor
Bio coming soon!