Chess Odyssey Programs
For a list of upcoming Chess Odyssey events, click here.
Chess Odyssey programs are run or overseen by 40+ year chess veteran National Master Pete Prochaska, who has been coaching chess in the Portland area for seven years. Pete's students in this area have won 11 Oregon state championships, as well as countless national trophies. In addition, Chess Odyssey employs several trained instructors and program assistants, and is augmented by a special consultation arrangement with Grandmaster Emil Anka, which includes Grandmaster Clinics for students during his periodic visits from Hungary. Chess Odyssey curriculum and programs maintain a high degree of excellence because they undergo ongoing evaluation to ensure that they are constantly being improved, expanded and updated.
Chess Odyssey currently offers 20 school-year scholastic chess programs in the greater Portland area, as well as private coaching (click here to inquire about a program near you). Most of these programs are inclusive, no matter where a student attends school. Chess Odyssey also began running 4 major 'rated' tournaments per year starting in October 2003 (the Oregon Grade-Level, the Winter Olympics team tournament, the Oregon Junior Class Championships and the Summer Olympics, a combined team/individual event), as well as more casual events throughout the year, such as Fresh Air Blitz and Bugfest ('bughouse' is a crazy two-board/4-player chess variant). Our first 'girls only' competitive event, the Girls Only Pentathlon, will be held this spring.
Ten seasonal chess camps per year are another popular part of the Chess Odyssey program. Our winter holiday, spring break and 8 summer camps provide concentrated learning involving specially designed skill-building exercises, exciting competition, the opportunity to make new friends, and lots of fun! Click here for Summer Camp 2004 info.
Chess Odyssey is privileged to have the following terrific lead instructors, in addition to Chessmaster Pete Prochaska. They are:
Kirk Hedlund
Kirk Hedlund got his first chess set for Christmas when he was 7. He grew up learning chess from his father and sparring with his brother, who went on to win the OMSI state championship. Kirk studied physics and math at Portland State before joining the Navy. During his six years of active duty he continued to play occasional tournaments on ship. He now serves in the Air National Guard as an avionics technician, employing a system of logic he says is similar to solving chess puzzles. Kirk appreciates his students' enthusiasm for the game, and is committed to helping them grow as players while simultaneously increasing his own skills as a player and coach.
Tony Hann
Tony Hann is a husband, father of one, and a former Navy man, who recently received his psychology degree from Portland State and hopes to pursue a master's degree. He learned the game at age 8 but didn't discover tournament chess until he was 15 when he won class prizes in his first two tournaments. Tony helped create and taught at an elementary chess club in San Diego before moving to Portland in 1996. After a seven year hiatus from competition, he began joining in monthly quads at the Portland Chess Club in January 2003 and saw his rating rise 150 points in nine months. Tony is a serious student of the royal game and especially enjoys helping more advanced players improve.
Dave Meyer
Dave Meyer has a doctorate in Religion from Claremont School of Theology and is a recently retired Portland Community College professor. He first started playing chess in sixth grade when his uncle taught him the rules. Dave has maintained his interest in chess since and has been a longtime member of the Portland Chess Club. He has a friendly, approachable teaching style and is a good communicator who truly enjoys facilitating the learning process. Dave is very pleased to be positively impacting kids' lives through Chess Odyssey programs.
If you have specific questions about any of our programs, or are interested in the possibility of starting a club or holding a camp in your area, please get in touch with us.
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