"I have worked closely with Fedya as his chess coach for the past 12 years. Fedya’s chess career amply testifies to his dedication, creativity, and his ability to solve complex problems under pressure. Competitive chess is one of the most demanding sports known to man – requiring hours of intensely focused mental combat, knowing all the while that the smallest slip can lead to defeat. Fedya has thrived in this rigorous environment, winning eight Oregon Scholastic Chess Championships – three as an individual, three as a key member of the powerhouse Stoller Middle School chess team, and two as a captain of the Westview High School chess team. Any long-term competitive discipline contains both triumphs and disasters, and Fedya deals with both with easy grace and steady focus on his goal. As a student, he is a coach’s delight – always respectful, always willing to learn, and yet also independent minded and creative. As an employee, he is dependable, thorough, and ready to do what is necessary to complete the task at hand. As a person, he is trustworthy, caring, and humble hearted. In short, Fedya will enrich any work environment he chooses to join."
Pete Prochaska
Chessmaster, Coach