Coaches

Lou has been coaching and directing tournaments for over five decades. He is the founder of the Central Central Chess Club as well as the co-founder of the Skullsplitters chess squad. Lou hosts bi-monthly tournaments at the East Market (in the fall/winter/spring) and at Griggs Reservoir (spring/summer). He also hosts weekly quick-chess tournaments at the Hey Hey Bar and Grill in the spring and summer.

Lou has been a constant in the Columbus area; if you run into almost anyone who was part of the chess scene within the last five decades, they will know about Lou. He has kept chess alive through the decades in Columbus and has been an inspiration to many.

Rory O’Sullivan is a philosophy student in his third year at Ohio State who can’t get enough of the chess world. He started playing chess in elementary school after his grandfather taught him, but truly took it seriously in high school at Wellington where he joined the chess club led by Kathy Lin. Since finding his passion for chess, Rory has been very involved in the Columbus chess scene. Now he’s in the chess club at OSU, helps organize local and state tournaments, and still sometimes goes back to his high school chess club, now teaching alongside Kathy. He’s loved working with and coaching kids since he started in October 2023. He’s given chess lessons not just at his former high school but also at Wedgewood Middle School and Starling K-8. Currently he coaches at Hilltonia Middle School and has since January 2024. Rory loves helping and learning with students, teachers, peers, organizers, and anyone else who shares his love for the game.



Rory is absolutely welcoming anyone to contact him about private coaching or any kind of teaching. If you have any interest or questions you can contact Rory at osullivan.75@buckeyemail.osu.edu

Seth Seward is an Assistant Director of Alumni Groups for the Miami University Alumni Association and President of the Association of Black Faculty and Staff for Miami University. Seth, his parents, and cousin are graduates of Miami University. This is his fifth year at his alma mater. He was hired to work with underrepresented alumni groups. In 2021, Seth received CASE V Platinum Award Finalist and Honorable Mention awards for his work in highlighting Black alumni in the education and healthcare professions. He also received multiple awards from Miami University and was recognized by President Gregory Crawford. Seth is also Executive Director of the Columbus Chess Academy nonprofit organization.

Seth grew up playing chess from elementary school to college winning various individual and team awards at the local level, state level, and national level.