The Scottsdale Chess Foundation is an educational nonprofit organization (501c(3)) dedicated to advance chess as a tool to assist in learning, personal development and community engagement.
The Scottsdale Chess Foundation’s purpose is to offer a luxury chess education experience to students of every background in Arizona. Our goal is to use scholastic programming, community outreach and partnerships with local and national organizations to develop the cognitive, academic and social benefits of playing chess.
We are working to build a community of strategic problem solvers who have a life-long appreciation for learning through chess, this teaches students to think critically, be disciplined and creative. One move at a time.
Scottsdale native and National Chess Master Darian Nguyen takes an innovative approach to Scottsdale Chess, utilizing the intellectual pursuit of chess not only as a competitive endeavor but as a life-changing tool to develop the strategic, analytical and leadership skills necessary to attain success in the areas of academics, athletics, business and life. Through chess, students enhance pattern recognition, spatial recognition and decision making under pressure, skills which easily translate into personal growth and professional achievement.
Darian’s chess journey began at the age of four when he was exposed to chess in an after school program. By the age of sixteen, he earned the title of National Master, a five time Arizona State Champion and representative for Arizona in the U.S. Open. Today, with studies in academic foundations in both business and data science from Arizona State University and Stanford University, Darian combines more than two decades of competitive and coaching experience with a forward-looking approach that integrates AI, data analytics, and future-ready learning frameworks into his instruction.
As coach and consultant, Darian has helped his students earn national titles as well as international sponsorships for events in foreign tournaments , with many of them ranking among the Top 100 players in the nation. At the latest K-12 SuperNationals which were held at Disney World, students under his guidance produced great results. One earned a perfect 7/7-National Championship and another was National Runner-Up with 6.5/7.
Under his leadership, Scottsdale Chess continues to raise the standard of chess across all levels from scholastic to professional play while preparing the next generation of thinkers, competitors, and innovators to excel both on and off the board.
At Scottsdale Chess, we believe the game of chess is more than a competition, it is a powerful tool to educate, connect, and inspire youth around the world. Our values and principles serve as the foundation for everything we do, guiding how we coach, lead, and create impact.
Contribution to Others Our mission is to use chess as a vehicle to educate and connect youth around the world. We measure success not in profits, but in the positive impact our programs have on students' lives. Every class, camp, and tournament is designed with mentorship and long-term growth in mind.
Chess teaches structure, discipline, and clarity of thought. We apply this same philosophy to our coaching, using proven frameworks to help students organize their thinking, learn effectively, and improve with purpose.
We are committed to doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Honesty, transparency, and consistency are non- negotiable, ensuring that students, parents, and partners can trust Scottsdale Chess completely.
Chess transcends background, culture, and circumstance. We believe in opportunity for all, and we are committed to making chess accessible so that every child can experience its lifelong benefits.
"Fall seven times, stand up eight." Perseverance is at the heart of our philosophy. Chess is a mirror for life's challenges, and we teach students to embrace mistakes, adapt, and push forward with resilience.
At Scottsdale Chess, the board is a classroom. We use chess to trainstrategic planning, focused goal-setting, spatial awareness, and resilient character—while keeping learning fun. These skills transfer beyond the board into academics, athletics, andbusiness. Our mission is to develop confident decision-makers andthoughtful leaders, raising the standard of chess education in Arizonaand beyond.
Private Lessons + Group Training + Tournament Play
At Scottsdale Chess, we’ve seen that the fastest improvement happens when students combine three key elements:
One-on-one sessions provide personalized instruction tailored to each student’s needs. Students learn from their tournament mistakes, receive customized training plans, and strengthen their weaknesses with focused attention.
Our group classes prepare students for real competition through structured lessons on specific transferable skills like: Reciprocal Thinking, Advanced Reasoning, Constant Application of Chess Frameworks, and Deep Calculation. More importantly, students practice under tournament-style conditions, learning time management, resilience, and decision-making under pressure.
Competition is where true growth happens. Playing in tournaments allows students to apply their training, test themselves against peers, and build the confidence needed for long-term success.
This training formula ensures students not only learn concepts but also apply them under real conditions, accelerating both rating growth and overall confidence.
Students who follow this formula consistently show rapid improvement in rating, competitive performance, and academic/life skills carried beyond the board.
National Master Darian Nguyen is a Scottsdale native and the founder and Executive Director of Scottsdale Chess, with more than 20 years of competitive and coaching experience. A five-time Arizona State Champion who has represented the state at the U.S. Open, Darian blends high-performance training with data-driven methods as a master’s student in Data Science and Analytics.Â
He coaches students across multiple countries—including the United States, Taiwan, Japan, and Mexico. His pupils include state champions, national medalists, and two members of their countries’ national teams, with several students securing sponsorships and prize money.
Woman International Master Tien Nguyen is one of Vietnam’s most accomplished players and coaches, with over two decades of competitive experience across 15 countries. A 7-time national youth champion, Asian gold medalist, and consistent finalist at the Vietnam National Championships, she has earned more than 200 medals throughout her career.Â
As a coach, Tien has dedicated 5,000+ hours to training players of all levels. Her students include multiple Asian medalists and scholastic champions across the U.K., Singapore, and Australia. This fall, she will be leading the Intermediate and Advanced Road to Nationals classes at Scottsdale Chess, preparing students for success at the upcoming events!
A professional chess player from New York, Paris Prestia began playing chess at age 7 and became a National Master by 12, placing him among the youngest and most accomplished players in the country. Rated over 2350, he ranks among the top 250 players in the United States.Â
A former member of U.S. World Youth teams, Paris developed in one of the most competitive training environments in the country. He has trained with many world-renowned grandmasters and elite coaches, including Artur Yusupov, Irina Krush, Melik Khachiyan, and Giorgi Kacheishvili. From this foundation, he developed a deeply principled understanding of chess, centered on harmony between the pieces, strategic clarity, and precise calculation.Â
Paris’s results speak for themselves: he was the New York State Blitz Chess Champion from 2021–2022 and has competed in the Pro Chess League for the New York Marshalls, drawing against Fabiano Caruana and scoring draws and a win against Hikaru Nakamura. In the online arena, he has competed against many of the world’s top players, including Magnus Carlsen and Alireza Firouzja. He has also achieved over-the-board victories against numerous grandmasters, demonstrating his ability to perform at the highest levels.Â
Raised in the intensely competitive New York chess scene, Paris embodies a “New York method” defined by rigor, discipline, and uncompromising standards. His approach stresses precision in calculation, honesty in evaluation, and complete responsibility for every move, training players to think with sharpness, structure, and purpose.Â
Since relocating to Arizona in 2024 while attending Arizona State University, he has brought this high-performance mindset to a growing chess community, raising expectations and instilling a more serious, professional standard of training. As Assistant Director and Head Trainer at the Scottsdale Chess Foundation,Â
Paris applies this philosophy to his coaching. His system emphasizes piece harmony, structural understanding, and disciplined thinking under pressure, equipping players not just to improve, but to operate with the precision and standards required at the highest levels of the game, ultimately reaching their full potential.
Ajay Mushini is an accomplished International Master from Hyderabad, recognized for his disciplined training approach, competitive consistency, and deep understanding of modern chess.
His strength lies in a comprehensive command of the game. Ajay brings advanced expertise in modern opening theory, supported by rigorous engine-assisted preparation, and maintains an extensive database of positions spanning a wide range of openings and pawn structures. This foundation enables him to connect theoretical knowledge with practical execution at a high level.
As a coach, Ajay specializes in developing ambitious players from the club level to titled performance. His methodology emphasizes clarity of thought, disciplined calculation, and strategic understanding, ensuring that students not only improve technically, but also build the mindset required to perform under pressure.
At the Scottsdale Chess Foundation, Ajay plays a key role in both player development and academic support. He contributes to the Homework Club, reinforcing strong study habits and discipline off the board, while also serving as an online coach, delivering structured, high-quality training sessions across all levels.
Teach: Structured classes, private coaching, and camps with individualized study plans and post-game analysis.
Fund: Need-based scholarships covering coaching, travel, and event fees.
Build Community: School partnerships, mentor networks, and parent education.
Luxury Education & Performance Coaching: High-touch, standards-driven training that complements athletics and business—decision science, time management, composure under pressure, leadership, and communication.
We are extremely happy with her progress. His knowledge of the game combined with his awesome temperament/demeanor is perfect for her, and all ages for that matter. Our daughter and a bunch of other kids went to Las Vegas for the International Chess Festival. Darian met us up there to coach/mentor the kids during the tournament. He was available the whole time to do game reviews for all the kids that were interested. The kids had a great time, and many came home with trophies!!!
