Our Team
Andrew Schley
Founder | Head Coach
Andrew Schley’s journey in chess began as a top scholastic player, earning both individual and team state and national titles. Driven by a desire to give back to the game that shaped his youth, he has dedicated over a decade to growing chess and mentoring the next generation of players.
Since 2011, Andrew has coached and organized programs across the country, helping students and teams achieve remarkable success, including:
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Multiple Individual & Team Wisconsin State Championships (Elementary & Middle School)
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Individual High School State Champions
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The Biggest Team Upset at the Pan-American Intercollegiate Championships
A graduate in Elementary Education, Andrew has combined his love of teaching and chess to work with some of the most respected programs in the country:
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International Academy of Chess (Milwaukee, WI): Head Coach (2014–2019), Owner (2017–2019)
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Bay Area Chess (San Jose, CA): Lead Coach (2019–2022)
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Mechanics’ Institute (San Francisco, CA): Head Scholastic Coach (2019–2022)
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Chess.com: Coach & Club Liaison (2022–2023)
Now based in Madison, Andrew has planted roots and is leading Growth Chess with a mission to make chess accessible, inclusive, and exciting for all ages and skill levels. Whether in schools, libraries, tournaments, or summer camps, his goal is to build a thriving chess community across Greater Madison.
Alex Schwartz
Co-Owner | Business Executive
Alex grew up playing chess against his dad before eventually learning how the pieces actually work at the age of 10 and it’s been an uphill trajectory ever since. During his scholastic career, Alex served as a top board for his high school and multiple victories in conference as well as state/national tournaments including:
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Top 20% finish at 2006 Nationals, Top 10% finish at 2008 Nationals
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Top board victories at State Scholastic Tournament
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Highest rating for SMCA conference in 2008
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Expert blitz player having been victorious against various IMs and GMs
His passion for teaching extends all the way back to 2004 running volunteer chess programs at his local library and has operated as a coach since then through private lessons, International Academy of Chess (IAC) coach and the WSCF.
Alex serves as the business head for Growth Chess and assists with core operations including marketing and administration as well as coaching/training. As an experienced business owner Alex strives to bring chess to high prominence in the greater Madison area through best-in-class operations with Growth Chess.
Growing up in Minnesota, Tyler played basketball and soccer, and ran cross country and track. In high school, he was captain of both the cross country team and the track team. Once COVID hit, Tyler picked up playing chess and since then has had a competitive drive to get better. Combining this newfound love for chess with past jobs in child daycare and as a soccer referee, coaching chess was a natural fit. Outside of chess, Tyler is a senior at UW-Madison studying biomedical engineering.
Tyler Anderson
Coach
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Ben grew up near Minneapolis and first picked up chess in middle school. As part of the Eastview high school chess team, he helped his team win a state championship while finishing as high as 4th individually. Ben is now studying computer science at UW Madison, where he continues to study and teach chess. Outside of chess, Ben enjoys piano, table tennis, pickleball, and watching Vikings games.
Ben Vanorny
Coach
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Kipras Brazauskas
Coach
Kipras started playing in chess tournaments at the age of 10. A former student of Andrew, Kipras has excelled throughout his scholastic chess career by being a cornerstone of multiple state championships for Burleigh Elementary and Pilgrim Park Middle School in Brookfield, WI. While being a leader on the team he and his classmates almost pulled off the trifecta by making it to the high school state championship finals twice, falling just short. While my playing days are far from over, I've found a great joy in coaching. Starting in 2022 I collaborated with Power of Pawns, contributing his efforts to help children in the greater Milwaukee Area learn and explore the boundless possibilities of chess.
Kipras is currently studying computer science and finance here at UW Madison.
Peter Ranchero
Coach
I've always had a strategic mind, thanks to countless chess games since I was a kid. While I loved plotting my next chess move, I was equally keen on sprinting down the football field or taking a hit in rugby. Fast forward, and here I am at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, deep-diving into Computer Science and Economics. It's an exciting blend – from the disciplined strategies of chess to the dynamic worlds of tech and economics. I keep it serious in the classroom, but outside? I'm just a guy still figuring out his next best move, be it on a board, a field, or in code. Life's a game, and I'm playing it with passion and a hint of chill.