International Master (IM) Josh Friedel, is one of the United States up-and-coming players. Josh achieved the National Master rating at age 13 and gained his IM title in August of 2005. His tournament victories are many, including the 2001 Pan Am Open, and the 2005 Queen City Open. Josh also obtained his first GM norm in December 2005 by winning the Berkeley Masters tournament and most recently he gained his second GM norm at the 2006 US Championship. He is currently the Northern California Champion.
(Currently teaching and directing)
International Master (IM) David Pruess won the 2006 Samford Fellowship, an award which is given each year to one outstanding young American player to support their efforts to become a top player. He has taken second in the US Junior Championships, and qualified to play in the US Championships.
(Currently teaching and directing)
International Master (IM) Vinay Bhat has many tournament successes to his credit. He has won the CA State High School Chess Championship, and represented the U.S. in many international youth competitions. He has two Grandmaster norms.
(Not currently teaching or directing)
National Master (NM) Andy Lee was the leader of the Berkeley High Chess Team through many successful campaigns. Achieved the national master title at age 18, and recently lead his collegiate team to first place at the USAT midwest, with a perfect score on board 1.
(Not currently teaching or directing)- National Master (NM) Batchimeg Tuvshintugs
(Not yet teaching) - National Master (NM) Sam Shankland is one of the brightest young prospects in Northern California. Last year he took second in the US Junior High Nationals. He has just earned his national master title, and is now ranked #2 in the US for 14 year olds. He has improved to the point of receiving a spot on this year's San Francisco Mechanics in the US Chess League. A student of several of the older East Bay Chess employees over the years, he has now begun to take a more active role at the club, and is ready to teach himself.
(Currently teaching) 
Expert David Steel was a member of successful CPS and UC Berkeley chess teams and was dubbed Mr. Clutch by his teammates. He tied for 2nd (behind V. Bhat) in the 1998 California High School Championships. He is currently studying for a PhD in Archaeology at Cambridge University, UK.
(Not currently teaching or directing)- Michael Pruess is a young web designer who has recently stepped in to revamp our website. We like the new look he has given our site. If you'd like to see some of his other work, visit dotq.org, dawei.us, and michaelpruess.com. With his help, we hope to have a better and better site over the course of the next couple months.
(Webmaster)