Coaching Staff
Ryan Leong (Founder)
Ryan has been a competitive chess player since the age of 8 and has been coaching since the age of 15. He has represented BC twice at the Canadian Chess Challenge and has competed in many tournaments across North America. While studying at Simon Fraser University as a third year Communications major, Ryan hopes to curate a new chess scene by connecting competitive chess players across the Lower Mainland.
CFC Rating: 2003
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Achievements
1st place International Chess Festival 2018 U1900
1st place Grand Pacific Chess Open 2018 U2000
1st place Victoria Open 2019
1st place Canadian Open 2022 U1900
2nd Place BC Chess Challenge Grade 11
1st Place Toronto Open 2024 U1900
Represented Team BC at Canadian Chess Challenge in 2015, and 2019
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Contact: ryanleong@luluislandchess.com
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Leo Qu (Coach)
Since the age of 9, Leo has been playing chess and participating in tournaments. He has also coached the Panorama Heights Elementary chess club, and has extra teaching experience as a math teaching assistant. Currently, Leo is finishing up his first year of Computer Science at UBC and simultaneously sharpening up his chess skills. You may find him at the UBC Chess Club, or any local tournament in British Columbia.
Peak CFC: 2230 Peak CFC Quick: 2221
Achievements:
1st place North American Open U1900
1st place 2013 to 2017 BC Chess Challenges
3rd place 2015, 2016 Canadian Chess Challenge
2nd place 2017 Canadian Chess Challenge
2nd place 2017 BCYCC U14 Section
1st place 2022 BC Open U1900
1st place 2022 Keres Memorial U2000
1st place VanCity Rapid #6 + Mar. 2023
1st Place Grand Pacific Open 2024
Kate Jiang (Coach)
Kate has been playing in chess tournaments since 2017. She was an official player for Canada in the 2017 World cadet chess championships and participated in the U16 Olympiad for Canada in 2022. She is currently in grade 12 at steveston London secondary and is looking forward to sharing her chess knowledge with new players!!!!
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Peak CFC: 2214
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1st place 2017 Cycc u10 girls
1st place 2017 Canadian open U1400
3rd place 2019 Canadian chess challenge grade 6
BC Junior Championship 2022 Co-Champion
1st place 2022 BC Day Open
2nd place 2023 BCYCC U16 open
1st place 2023 UBC Annual Rapid
1st Place 2023 SFU Summer Open
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Luke Pulfer (Coach)
Luke has been a passionate chess player since the age of 5, competing in many tournaments and being actively involved in various chess clubs. He has officially represented Canada in three international events. Currently, he is a third-year CMS student at UBC, and the vice president of the UBC Chess Club. In this role, he is dedicated to building connections among students and growing the university chess community in Western Canada.
Peak CFC: 2095
Achievements:
6 time Canadian Scholastic Chess Champion
1st Place Canadian Youth Chess Championships
Top 20 World Youth Chess Championships
2nd Place International Chess team event.
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