EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As of July 1, 2024, chess educator Matan Prilleltensky is the Executive Director of the National Scholastic Chess Foundation. Matan joined the NSCF in October 2023 as our Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Matan Prilleltensky holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching from Bank Street College of Education (General and Special Ed), as well as the Gifted & Talented Certification from University of Buffalo. Matan is a National Master with a peak rating of 2328. His students have competed successfully at all levels of scholastic chess, from beginner tournaments to the World Youth Championship.
For three years, Matan Prilleltensky was the chess teacher and coach at NEST+m, a New York City K-12 STEM school for Talented & Gifted Students. During his tenure, NEST+m won the 2nd grade, K-3, 9th Grade, and 10th Grade National Championships. Several members of these teams went on to attain national or international titles.
Matan left NEST+m to collaborate with Sunil at Speyer School, further refining his skills as a classroom instructor and tournament coach. In this period, teams under Matan’s mentorship secured an additional five national championships.
Since 2016, Matan has been providing private and group instruction in Scarsdale, NY. Students from this program have won the NY City, NY State, US All-Girls, and Grade level Individual National Championships. His weekly lessons now include players close to the 2000 level who learned the absolute basics from Matan when they were barely old enough for kindergarten.
Through his Scarsdale teaching, Matan was introduced to Edgemont High School and became the chess team coach. Along with his other duties with the NSCF, Matan continues to lead this program. Over his years coaching this program, the Edgemont Panthers won the 8th and 12th Grade National Championships.
While Matan’s passion for teaching and coaching shines through, his immediate focus on refining the NSCF curriculum and helping develop our teachers is instrumental to elevating the standards of chess education within the organization.