JOSH CAMPBELL
Hi I’m Josh. Born in Australia I moved to Nashville when I was young and was raised here ever since. I learned chess at 5 and played my first tournament at 8. Since then I was a very consistent player in the Nashville scholastic chess scene and won the City Championship 5 yrs straight in Jr high and high school. I was also Team Captain for the chess team Campbell Homeschool that won multiple State Championships and had many top 5 finishes at Nationals.
Outside of chess I enjoy reading, piano, researching the financial markets, and going on adventure’s.
You can contact me about private lessons at
joshuaardencampbell@gmail.com
Matthew Burgett
A Nashville native, Matthew has been passionate about chess since he was seven years old. Over the years, he has honed his skills through competition, placing in the top 10 twice at the Scholastic Tennessee State Championship and competing in the prestigious Nashville City Championship. With a deep love for the game, Matthew has also shared his knowledge by teaching chess through the NCC at a couple different Nashville schools. He is ambitious about improving his game and plans to achieve the National Master title by the end of 2026.
Beyond chess, Matthew is currently studying Electrical Engineering Technology at Nashville State and will graduate in May 2025. When he’s not playing chess, Matthew enjoys working out at the gym and cheering on the Tennessee Titans. He also has a strong interest in business and finance, with plans to launch his own ventures in the near future. If you’re looking to sharpen your chess skills with a passionate and experienced coach, Matthew is ready to help take your game to the next level!
For private lessons please contact Matthew at mburgett.1963@gmail.com
Sabrina Hoja
Hi, I’m Sabrina! I’m a competitive chess player from Nashville and I’ve been passionate about the game since I played my first tournament at age 9. Over the years, I’ve built a strong track record in both local and state competitions, including:
· 5-time Nashville All-Girls City Champion
· 2-time Tennessee K-12 All-Girls State Champion
· Tennessee representative at the Ruth Haring Tournament of Girls State Champions
· Tied for 1st place – Tennessee Winter Open 2025
· 1st place – High School Regionals 2024
· Tied for 2nd place – Tennessee High School State Championship 2024
Outside of chess, I love reading, studying biology, listening to music, traveling, and playing the viola. I'm always looking to grow, compete, and connect with others who share a love for chess! Reach out to WritetoSabrinaH@gmail.com for private lessons. At the moment, I am currently only offering online lessons.
Hourly Rate: $30
Robert Catlin
Coach Catlin believes the Nashville Chess Center is the best thing since sliced bread. He has long been fascinated by the art and science of chess—especially how it parallels life through strategic planning and tactical execution. While he wishes he had taken the game more seriously earlier in life, he now finds that making the right move, both on and off the board, opens the door to countless opportunities.
After graduating from Stratford High School, Coach Catlin joined the U.S. Army to "Be All You Can Be." He gained extensive experience across a wide range of military occupational specialties, making him an essential asset during the post-9/11 global war on terrorism. His overseas service taught him that "combat is a team sport," whether in a military theater or a game of chess. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each player—or teammate—is critical to achieving the mission.
Coach Catlin feels deeply honored to have served his country and is now dedicated to supporting the safety and success of the next generation.
Since retiring from the armed forces, he’s committed to mentoring young minds and helping guide their futures through chess and character development.
He and his wife, Kimberly, have been married for 34 years. They are proud parents to Alexandra (and her husband, Matt) and Robert Jr., and are blessed with a grandson, Jonathan.
KAYLA WEISHAAR
Kayla grew up in East Tennessee before moving to Nashville about 15 years ago. Kayla and her two younger siblings (Luke Weishaar and Rachel Weishaar) were homeschooled through high school and played chess competitively in tournaments for about 5 years. Kayla reached a peak USCF chess rating of 1650. She also helped run a homeschool chess club in Crossville, TN for several years. Currently, she just plays chess for fun and enjoys teaching kids who are new to the game
Kayla’s other hobbies include playing ping pong and hiking. Kayla has an associate degree in business and currently works for Southeast Financial specializing in recreational lending for boats and RVs.
You can contact her about private lessons at kayla@sefinancial.com
(NM) Rory Wasiolek
THE NASHVILLE CHESS CENTER GROUND STAFF
Call Ricardo Angeles for any of your landscaping and gardening needs. He has done a great job for the NCC the past few years!
Ricardo: (615) 586-2350 or (615) 586-2256
RETIRED INSTRUCTORS
(FM) Todd Andrews
Todd was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee and has played competitive chess since being 11 years old. At the age of 16, Todd attained the rank of National Master and was a member of the United States Olympic Youth team sent to Europe to represent America. It was during this time, Todd began his first teaching job as an after-school chess instructor for the University School of Nashville. At the age of 18, Todd attained the international title of F.I.D.E. (pronounced Fee-Day) Master and was invited to participate in the United States Junior Championship. He was ranked number one in the country for 17-18 year olds during that time. Todd has often been the Tennessee State Champion, which he has achieved ten times. Todd also has various other state titles and has been Nashville City Champion ten times. He was also Georgia State Champion when residing there in 2004. Todd is also a US Chess Senior Level Tournament Director and a National Level FIDE Arbiter.
Todd has taught chess in New York, Georgia and Tennessee.
Besides chess, you will find Todd camping, canoeing, hiking, going to rock-n-roll concerts and rooting on the Nashville Predators! Todd is also the proud father of Eloise (11) and Ophelia (2) Andrews.
Tiffany Elliott
Tiffany Elliott grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and learned chess growing up with her brother, Todd Andrews. He taught her how to play at a very young age, and the two made up their own variations of the game as well. Tiffany enjoyed attending tournaments all across the United States with her family, but never competed. Tiffany entered into the child care field while working her way through college. In 2007, she joined her brother, Todd, in instructing their first Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Chess Camp at NCC. These camps have grown into a big success!
In 2009, Tiffany earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education, Summa Cum Laude. In May of 2010, she earned the Tennessee Early Childhood Program Administrator Credential from Tennessee State University. Tiffany uses her training and experience in child development to teach and encourage children as young as three years old to play and enjoy chess using developmentally appropriate methods and strategies. She coaches chess programs at multiple Nashville area schools and works as a tournament director. Tiffany has volunteered on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Chess Association since 2013 and became the NCC's first-ever Assistant Director in 2017.
She also enjoys music, crafts, gardening and organizing community environmental projects, and being mom to her sons, Kyler and Kasen and wife to her husband, Eric.
Peter Lahde
My interest in chess began while still a teenager in Germany. In 1950 I moved from Chicago to Nashville, Tennessee. I played in my first Tennessee Open in 1956. Shortly after that I became interested in organized chess. With this I started the Tennessee Chess News in 1959 and was its editor for the next 18 years. After I let other players take it over I continued my involvement as TCA as President and Vice-President for the next 20 years or so. But I also directed many tournaments including the Tennessee Open and organized and directed the Music City chess tournaments.
But I was also active as a player. I made good scores in several Tennessee Open and the Mid-South events that were held and still are run in Memphis. I also made contributions to the Nashville team in matches with Memphis and Knoxville playing as high as board one. But I consider having won the Nashville Championship on three occasions my greatest accomplishment. One of my best scores was in the Sportsfest held in Nashville in 1990 were I scored three wins and two draws.
In the early nineties I started teaching chess in schools. This I have continued to the present. I have enjoyed this as much as the students I was instructing not just in the basics but also in advanced tactics and strategy. Several of the schools scored well in the state individual and team competitions.
In 1989, the officers of the Tennessee Chess Association recognized my achievement as an organizer to recommend me to the US Chess Federation. This honor I received from USCF was the "Outstanding Career Achievement" award in the form of a beautiful chess set.
In 1990 the Tennessee Hall of Fame was established. Along with six others I was inducted as a charter member along with the following: Tom Finucane, Robert Scrivener, Hunter Weaks, Jerry Sullivan, Robert Coveyou and Martin Southern.
In 1996 I wrote the book entitled A History of Tennessee Chess. The book was also dedicated to the first Tennessee Champion, Robert Coveyou, who won it in 1947 and seven more times after that. He passed away in the year the book was published. In addition this also marked the 50th time the Tennessee Open was held.
My interest in writing about chess history actually started already in 1992 with a book on the games by Alekhine. In 2009 my eighth book was published about the American Grandmaster Isaac Kashdan.
A quote about Peter and his career:
Peter Lahde is known throughout the chess world as a fair-minded, honest, dignified gentleman. In a quiet and methodical manner, he has brought the gift of chess to young and old alike for more years than most of today's players can remember. He has been a role model for generations of young players, as well as a model of sportsmanship and courtesy for all who come in contact with him.