Alton Family Coaches ....
Arthur, James, Joshua, and Krista
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Note to Parents:
Coaches Krista, Arthur, Joshua, James, Jeff, and JT, have been background checked by US Chess, and 'Level 2 Screening' from Hillsborough Country Public Schools. Coaches Krista and Arthur have additional background checks from Florida Chess Association, Berkeley Prep, Westlake Christian School, Idlewild Baptist Church, Citrus Park Ministries, and Grace Family Church. As parents ourselves, our top priority is the safety for our children and yours! |
Arthur and Krista have had a love of the game since the 1980's. When their sons Joshua and James were children, they passed the game on to them. In 2011, Coach Willard Taylor started a chess club at our local elementary school where the boys attended. Krista quickly volunteered and became the club chess mom. Coach Taylor recognized her talent for children and hired her for his local tournaments. In 2012, Krista teamed up with Corey Acor, (a National Master Level Coach) to work with him in his schools. In 2014, Coach Corey and Coach Krista started "West Tampa Rated" Chess Tournaments. Over the years their partnership ran 45 scholastic and adult US Chess rated tournaments.
In January 2015, Coaches Krista and Arthur officially launched "Alton Academy 4 Chess" and hired their sons Joshua and James as assistant coaches. With love and passion for students their Chess company continued to grow. Alton Academy 4 Chess started running their own chess clubs at Westlake Christian School, Roland Park Magnet School, Trinity Homeschool Academy, and Hillsborough Academy of Math and Science. In 2018, Alton Academy 4 Chess launched "Tampa Bay Rated" Chess Tournaments. Coach Jeff was hired as a tournament director and coach. Also in 2018, Coaches Krista and Arthur were hired by US Chess to work National Chess tournaments. From 2019-2022, Krista was elected and served on the board of the Florida Chess Association.
Alton Academy 4 Chess survived the hard years when Covid shut down their chess business. We are now thriving once again. We lead 9 chess clubs in schools in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. We also teach Zoom classes, in-person night classes and run monthly US Chess Rated tournaments. In 2021, we hired Coach JT Martin, and Coaches Joshua and James became lead coaches running their own chess programs. Today, Alton Academy 4 Chess is stronger than ever.
Junior Chess Coach Trainings
Alton Academy Currently has 9 Student Coaches
Training Teens to Become Tomorrow's Leaders!
Picture Here: Ethan Tyler, Jailyn Johnson, Bella Knaak, Nicholas Williams, Emett Apple, and Tymur Dolgov
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Coach Joshua leading our first training class ...
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Meet Our Chess Lead Coaches
Coach Krista Alton
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Coach Arthur Alton
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Coach Jeff Hitchlock
Lives in Pinellas County and is available for private Lessons 
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Coach Joshua Alton
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Since 2017, Coaches Joshua and James have won money several times at the Southern Open in Orlando ....... Winning from $50 - $400
Coach James Alton
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In almost all Coach James' pictures he is wearing his lucky red hoodie ... |
Coach JT Martin
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Coach JT is presenting a 1st place team trophy to the principal of Roland Park Magnet School - 2022
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Coach Missy ...
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Introducing Coach Chessie ...
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2021 HARVEY LERMAN
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Coaches Arthur and Krista worked as Tournament Directors. We also ran the chess supplies store and we built the trophies. Our sons Coach Joshua and Coach James played in a higher division and gain rating points.
Biggest State Tournament EVER, 244 Players Participated!!!
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