Southern California Chess Federation
SCCF Board Elections

2025 SCCF BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION

The Southern California Chess Federation is seeking nominations to fill six seats that are up for election on the Board of Directors. All SCCF members in good standing are eligible. If you are interested in helping direct the future of our federation by being on the Board of Directors, submit your name and a brief statement of why you are running to SCCF President Alaa-addin Mousa by May 16 to get in the next R&F, and June 30 to get on the ballot. E-voting will open Aug. 1 and close on Aug. 30. Results will be tallied and announced at the SCCF general assembly during the State Open on Sept. 1st.

CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

• Chuck Ensey, Incumbent
  

  

  I have been organizing yearly events like the Dreaming King Open, the Pacific Southwest Open, the Southern California Open and also weekly events like the Gambito Open for many years now. I am glad to see our membership growing lately and I think the events I have been hosting have been helpful in restoring the levels back to where they should be after the pandemic lows. I am a strong supporter of keeping our Rank and File magazine in print, not just digital. We have a good board and I am happy to keep serving on it with your support.


• Alaa-addin Moussa, Incumbent
  

  

  Since I was elected president of SCCF two years ago, the board has consistently published R&F with good content and comprehensive coverage of SoCal chess activities. SCCF has organized the strongest state championship in its history, the first senior state championship in the Irwin era, and an inter club state championship. SCCF introduced a Hall of Fame that was well received. SCCF membership increased by at least 30%.
  
  I ask for your vote because there is more work to do. SCCF needs to grow membership back to the pre Covid years. It needs to support its representatives to national tournaments better. It also needs to organize Fide norm events so that young talent has in state options to vie for coveted titles.
  
  Alaa


• Linus Eisenberg, Incumbent
  

  
  

  I have served my first term on the board and have made valuable contributions regarding budget issues and ethics. It would be a great honor to be reelected.


• Dedian Guo, Incumbent
  

  

  Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside fellow board members to support and grow both scholastic and adult chess across Southern California. From organizing major events like SuperStates to developing new tools that improve player and club engagement, I’ve remained deeply committed to strengthening our chess community.
  
  My journey—from a chess parent to a US Chess-certified Local Tournament Director and ICEA Chess events organizer—has given me a broad perspective on the needs of players and families. If re-elected, I will continue working to expand access to high-quality events, improve transparency and communication within SCCF, and leverage technology to better serve our members. Above all, I will remain a strong advocate for creating more opportunities for our youth chess players to learn, compete, and grow.


• John Wright, Incumbent
  

  

  I am the President of the San Gabriel Valley Chess Club (SGVCC), which currently meets on Monday nights in the city of San Marino. In my view local clubs are the foundation of a strong chess community. They provide a place where new players can learn about tournament chess and a convenient local venue for experienced players and their families. Recently, SGVCC has also started monthly Game 45 events on Saturdays in the city of San Gabriel. I have been playing chess in Southern California for nearly fifty years and earned the title of National Master in 1992. Since retiring as an attorney in 2016 I have shifted my efforts to that of a chess organizer/teacher. I am a Tournament Director, teach a class for adult beginners at Pasadena City College and have taught classes for kids for the city of Arcadia Parks and Recreation.
  
  Since getting involved with SCCF this year I have been very pleased with the efforts its leadership has shown, especially the recent Inter-Club team event that gave local clubs the opportunity to compete against other clubs. SGVCC sponsored two teams at the San Diego event. Many of our younger members had never experienced the excitement of being on a chess team and we received positive feedback from all involved. I hope to see more such events and also help SCCF lead a resurgence of local chess clubs.
  
  And so I ask for your support so that I can contribute to these and other SCCF efforts. I know first hand the work involved in keeping chess going. Our Club opened in March of 2020 in Sierra Madre, only to have to close a month later due to COVID. We reopened in October of 2021 in Altadena and then saw our meeting site burned to the ground by the recent Eaton fires. But only a month later we opened again at our new San Marino location thanks to the efforts of our members, now 180 strong. Thank you for your consideration.
  
  John Wright


• GM Melikset Khachiyan, Incumbent
  

  

  Most of you have known me for years as a very active player in SoCal and around the nation. I always try to promote chess in local communities to help people.
  
  I have been a GM since 2005 and have always tried combining my professional chess career and coaching. Since 2010 I have been working for US Chess Federation initially as a coach, and from 2014, as team captain for the US Olympiad Women Team.
  
  I had also organized numerous trainer's seminars, teaching chess coaches, local and around the world to get better. I believe as a professional coach I can help our federation achieve even new heights!
  
  After I won the US Seniors Championship in 2023, and the 2024 World Senior Team Championship, I wanted to mostly focus to develop more opportunities for our seniors.
  
  I believe I have many ideas to share with the board members and federation and hopefully together we will get it done.
  
  Cheers,
  GM Melikset Khachiyan,
  www.gmmelik.com


• Karl Grant
  

  

  Hey there SoCal chess pals!
  
  While I’m not exactly famous for my chess record, I’ve spent nearly a decade working to grow and support the chess community here in Southern California. I founded and run the Los Angeles Chess Social — a community that’s helped countless players reconnect with the game and meet new friends over the board. Beyond that, I’ve taught chess at several campuses for the South Pasadena School District, led summer chess programs for kids, served as VP of the UCR Chess Club during my college days, and am currently writing a clinical methodology, using chess as a vehicle to help children on the autism spectrum develop various social cognitions.
  
  I’ve spent years studying the Southern California chess scene, and I truly believe that LA (and SoCal as a whole) can become a place that chess players seek out — not struggle through. The SCCF needs energetic, community-minded folks to help make that vision a reality.
  
  Right now, there are more than 15 social/casual chess clubs in SoCal, with many of them drawing 60-80+ players a week!! These numbers are only growing. It’s time for the SCCF to have a board member who understands and supports the casual, social, and community-driven side of chess — not just the competitive scene. I would love to bring that perspective, passion, and experience to the board!
  
  Thanks for your support!
  
  -Karl Grant


• Jose Jimenez
  

  

  Hello SCCF members,
  
  My name is Jose Jimenez, and I am the founder, Director and CEO of Downey Chess Club, LLC. For the last 20 years, I have been helping students become leaders through chess education. As a passionate advocate for the growth of the game, I have committed to enhance chess education and community engagement in Southern California schools, libraries and the City of STEM festival, the largest STEM festival in Southern California. If elected, I aim to foster interest, support tournaments, and create opportunity for players of all ages. Let's make chess thrive in our vibrant region!


• Jeremy Alexander
  

  

  I’m a chess educator for several organizations, including the Day & Knight Chess Club, Masterpiece Chess, SPEF, and Masterprep Academy. I’m also an adviser/TD/volunteer for many regional chess clubs including: Chess Club at UCR, Los Angeles Chess Social, Highland Park Chess, and the Rookie Chess League. I look forward to fostering more opportunities for scholastic, collegiate, and recreational chess community members - especially for those who reside in the Inland Empire and metropolitan LA area.


• FM Julian Colville
  

  

  I have been an active player in Southern California since I was six years old, and have been consistently impressed with the supportive chess community that has gotten me to where I am today. When I was 13, I started volunteering with Train of Thought, an organization that teaches chess to underprivileged children in Compton. More recently, I have been volunteering with ICEA to teach chess to kids and give back to the community. As we all know, a large portion of our players here in Southern California are kids and teenagers. If you choose to elect me, I will be the voice of scholastic chess on the board, without losing sight of the priorities of our longstanding adult members.

The top six vote-getters will be elected to two-year terms.

2024 SCCF BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION RESULTS

We had record participation with 112 ballots cast, 39 paper ballots at the SoCal Open, and 73 eBallots cast online between August 1st and September 1st. Outcome was the following:

• Randy Hough: 72 votes (50 eVotes/ 22 paper). Reelected for a 2-year term.
• Jim Harrell: 66 votes (43/23). Reelected for a 2-year term.
• Angela Liu: 62 votes (32/30). Elected for a 2-year term.
• Frank Lee: 46 votes (28/18). Reelected for a 2-year term.
• Jim Mennella: 35 votes (26/9). Reelected for a 2-year term.
  
  
• Brian Glover: 32 votes (23/9).
• Linus Eisenberg: 32 votes (17/15).
  

Since we have a tie for the 6th spot between Brian and Linus, the board will need to fill the seat through voting by the 11 board members at the next meeting on September 30th 7 pm.

• Karl Rollert: 18 votes (14/4).
  
• Jake Nemeth: 2 votes
• Craig Faber: 1
• John Wright: 1
• Axel van der Velden: 1
• Chris Roberts: 1

2024 SCCF BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION

The Southern California Chess Federation is seeking nominations to fill six seats that are up for election on the Board of Directors. All SCCF members in good standing are eligible. If you are interested in helping direct the future of our federation by being on the Board of Directors, submit your name and a brief statement of why you are running to SCCF President Alaa-addin Mousa by July 31st. Results will be tallied and announced at the SCCF general assembly during the State Open on September 2nd.

CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

• Jim Harrell: I have been very active at the San Diego Chess Club as a TD at the Gambito and also helped to TD many larger events such as the Dreaming King Open, The Pacific Southwest Open and the Southern California Open. I am happy to continue my service on the SCCF board.


• Randy Hough: Over 31 years of experience on this Board, and currently membership secretary. Though now retired as an organizer, I’m willing to continue my service as a sort of senior advisor if the voters wish.


• Jim Mennella: Dear Chess players of Southern California. Once again, I ask for your permission to serve you as a member of the SCCF's board. I have been on the board for 9 years and have worked hard to make sure the interests of the players in the region are always first on the agenda. I have been a US Chess delegate for 45 years in 4 different states and have made many valuable contacts and friends in other state affiliates that work together with us in areas of mutual interest. I would like to continue. Thanks!


• Brian Glover: As a USCF Life Member, active tournament player, chess teacher and current member of the SCCF Board I will serve again if reelected.


• Frank Lee: Please allow me to promote chess in Southern California, expanding player numbers and tournament play. As the current treasurer and a seasoned marketer, I'm well-equipped to tackle modern challenges to serve our events and communications.


• Karl Rollert: Hey there so cal chess pals! I’m not super well know for my chess ability, but I’ve been serving chess in LA for almost a decade. In addition to founding and running the LA chess social, (an entity that has encouraged many formerly active players to return to the scene), I’ve also tutored chess in 1/1 sessions, taught summer school chess classes, and was the VP of UCR chess for a few years. I’ve studied the LA/ greater socal regime for years and years. I’m a candidate who is aware that LA could actually be a place that chess players visit because of their love of the game, not a place that people have to struggle to find a chess community. The SCCF needs young(ish) enthusiastic people to help make LA a desirable chess scene/destination.


• Linus N Eisenberg: Hi! My name is Linus N Eisenberg and I am running for the SCCF board of directors. I will try to increase the reach of scholastic chess in the LA and Ventura areas. I am a chess coach for children and am personally responsible for over 250 kids registering for USCF. Vote for me!


• Irina Nizmutdinova - Term ends, not seeking re-election.

The top six vote-getters will be elected to two-year terms.