Southern California Chess Federation
SCCF Board Elections
2026 CANDIDATE STATEMENTS
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.
GM Kirk Ghazarian I'm a Southern California native and the youngest Grandmaster in SCCF history. Since I started playing, I've consistently ranked among America's top players for my age; today I'm #30 in the world junior ranking and #4 in the US among juniors, and the highest-rated American in Southern California. I've represented the US internationally and am the youngest American to qualify for two consecutive World Cups, starting at 16. I lecture at the prestigious US Chess School and coach some of America's brightest young players. At each level, I've had to overcome obstacles to reach the next, so I know what it takes to climb the chess hierarchy. As a Board member, I'll use that experience to strengthen junior/senior development, attract stronger events, and raise SoCal's profile nationally.
Best regards,
GM Kirk Ghazarian
Chris Roberts, Incumbent: SCCF Membership Secretary & Webmaster My name is Chris Roberts. I am currently an SCCF Board member, the SCCF Membership Secretary, and have served as the SCCF webmaster for the past 16 years. I also served as SCCF President 26 years ago.
Most of you would not recognize me by sight because these days I work largely behind the scenes. However, I feel that I know many of you, as my responsibilities touch on so many aspects of chess in Southern California. These include tournament publicity, tournament entries, and membership services. It is work I truly enjoy because I want players to focus on their chess while I work to make SCCF as professional and efficient as possible.
Some of my accomplishments include being actively involved in organizing—and serving as the primary fundraiser for—several Southern California State Invitational Championships. I developed the online voting application being used in this year's SCCF Board election, as well as the application used for last year's online election. I also created the current SCCF logo and the membership e-card received by members who joined or renewed during the past two years. In addition, I serve as webmaster for the San Gabriel Valley, La Palma, and Temecula chess clubs.
If re-elected, I will continue to leverage technology to streamline SCCF operations so that players receive their Rank & File magazine on time, know when their SCCF membership is due for renewal, enjoy a smooth registration process for tournaments requiring SCCF membership, and stay informed about upcoming events and opportunities through email communications. I respectfully ask for your vote so that I can continue this work. My USCF and FIDE records may be viewed here and here, respectively.
Jim Mennella, Incumbent: SCCF Board Member It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on the SCCF board for the past 12 years. I ask for your support so I may continue to use my experience and contacts on both the local and national levels to make Chess better for Southern California players and promote Scholastic instruction and tournaments. Thank you.
Jim Harrell, Incumbent: SCCF Board Member 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.
Chris Bunch I'm Chris Bunch, the Vice President of the Santa Monica Bay Chess Club. I help organize events locally and am an active player, both in the SoCal area and beyond. I'm running for the SCCF board to represent my community and keep our strong chess culture intact as we move into the future. I'm excited about ensuring the continued growth of our great game and making sure that we can include people from all walks of life in it.
Timothy Abadilla I never grew up formally in a chess club. My dad had taught me chess when I was young but I got stronger as I played the street hustlers in the parks and local meet ups. I wish I had the opportunity when I was younger to have been involved in one, I feel I could have achieved so much higher heights in my chess career if I had. Which is why it is my desire to grow the chess community in the Southern California area.
I have been teaching chess for a decade, under the umbrella of California Youth Chess League, American Chess Academy, and now my own chess club Masterpiece Chess Academy. Masterpiece is a chess club in the Santa Clarita area and we serve the community with chess classes, tournaments, camps and meet ups.
If you choose to elect me I wish to use my resources to build the scholastic scene in chess and create opportunities for kids in the chess world that I never had.
Edwin Ruiz My name is Edwin Ruiz, Founder and President of Day & Knight Chess Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to growing chess throughout Southern California.
Since founding Day & Knight Chess Club in 2022, we have grown to serve over 100 schools across approximately 10 school districts, trained more than 200 chess coaches, sponsored over 150 youth USCF memberships, hosted free community chess events, organized district and inter-district scholastic tournaments, and organized more than a dozen USCF-rated tournaments, many attracting over 100 participants. Through these efforts, we have introduced thousands of students and families to organized chess. In 2026, we are proud to host the Pacific Southwest Open.
I have taught chess for nearly 10 years, previously served as President of both the Norco College and Cal Poly Pomona Chess Clubs, and am a tournament player rated around 1800 USCF with aspirations of achieving the master title. I hope to bring my experience building partnerships with schools, universities, clubs, and community organizations to help SCCF expand scholastic chess, support organizers, and continue growing the game throughout Southern California.
I would be honored to serve on the SCCF Board.
Frank Lee, Incumbent: SCCF Tresurer 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.
Andersen Yang As an active chess player since age six, I have developed friendships with several current SCCF Board Members, and would be honored to serve alongside them on the Board to promote chess throughout Southern California.
In addition to being a member of the San Gabriel Valley Chess Club (SGVCC), I will be serving as my high school’s chess club president this upcoming year. Beyond competing in tournaments, I’ve witnessed firsthand the wonderful things our chess community has been able to accomplish together, such as supporting the inaugural Chess for Cure SoCal tournament and fundraiser. I’m excited about the opportunity to continue collaborating to be a force for positive community impact.
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