PANAGIOTIS TSIALAS
Co-Founder
Originally from Kalamata, Greece, Panos lovingly embraced Toronto as his new home in 2017 in order to pursue doctoral studies at UofT. Shortly after, he joined the ranks of Hart House Chess Club, where he gained a lot of experience as a chess organizer, working alongside Alex Ferreira.
Panos learned how to play chess at the age of 6 but did not compete in his first tournament until he was 10 years-old. He blitzed his moves in those five hopeless rounds and lost all of his games in glorious style. However, with hard work, dedication and support from his parents and coaches, he became National Youth Chess Champion at the age of 14 and represented Greece in the World School Chess Championship, achieving a FIDE rating over 2000. His love for constitutional law won him over at the age of 19 and he retired from competitive chess in 2009.
Almost a decade later, he rediscovered the world of chess, this time as a chess educator and organizer. Since 2018 he has worked as a coach for young talents at Canada’s Chess Youth Club. His coaching style is inspired by chess history and informed by research in developmental psychology.
As Junior Events Coordinator his primary focus is to promote chess among Canadian youth. He also strives to help Toronto Chess Centre tell its story by using media to reach more people, build community, and promote chess and its benefits to all.
When he is not teaching chess or organizing events, Panos experiments with Mediterranean cooking or practices his volleyball skills. He is also a big movie goer.
Panos holds a Law School degree from the University of Athens and a Master degree from Harvard Law School.
PANAGIOTIS TSIALAS
Co-Founder
Originally from Kalamata, Greece, Panos lovingly embraced Toronto as his new home in 2017 in order to pursue doctoral studies at UofT. Shortly after, he joined the ranks of Hart House Chess Club, where he gained a lot of experience as a chess organizer, working alongside Alex Ferreira.
Panos learned how to play chess at the age of 6 but did not compete in his first tournament until he was 10 years-old. He blitzed his moves in those five hopeless rounds and lost all of his games in glorious style. However, with hard work, dedication and support from his parents and coaches, he became National Youth Chess Champion at the age of 14 and represented Greece in the World School Chess Championship, achieving a FIDE rating over 2000. His love for constitutional law won him over at the age of 19 and he retired from competitive chess in 2009.
Almost a decade later, he rediscovered the world of chess, this time as a chess educator and organizer. Since 2018 he has worked as a coach for young talents at Canada’s Chess Youth Club. His coaching style is inspired by chess history and informed by research in developmental psychology.
As Junior Events Coordinator his primary focus is to promote chess among Canadian youth. He also strives to help Toronto Chess Centre tell its story by using media to reach more people, build community, and promote chess and its benefits to all.
When he is not teaching chess or organizing events, Panos experiments with Mediterranean cooking or practices his volleyball skills. He is also a big movie goer.
Panos holds a Law School degree from the University of Athens and a Master degree from Harvard Law School.
