Meet Our NSCF Instructors – Florida
WFM Dr. Amelia Hernandez
WFM Dr. Amelia Hernandez is a Womens FIDE Master who was a 6-time U-20 National Champion and 5-time Women’s National champion in her home country, Venezuela. She was a World U-18 Girls Champion, and also won a Gold Medal at the 1994 World Chess Olympiad in Moscow. Amelia is the youngest member ever inducted into the National Sports Hall of Fame. Amelia left competitive chess to become a medical doctor. She returned to chess almost 30 years later, again winning the Venezuela championship.
Amelia emigrated to the United States in 2019 and is the elementary grades chess teacher at the Franklin Academy Charter School in Sunrise. She also works with the NSCF’s Sunrise Center for Excellence in Chess, leads our Chess Queens girls mentoring initiative, and is the 2023 Florida State Women's Chess Champion.
Amelia emigrated to the United States in 2019 and is the elementary grades chess teacher at the Franklin Academy Charter School in Sunrise. She also works with the NSCF’s Sunrise Center for Excellence in Chess, leads our Chess Queens girls mentoring initiative, and is the 2023 Florida State Women's Chess Champion.
NM Nicholas Rosenthal
NM Nicholas Rosenthal is a National Master who has been playing since the age of 9, and has been teaching chess for the past 7 years. Nicholas has won a number of Florida State and National Championships. He shares his valuable tournament insights to help his students improve.
A graduate of South Plantation High School, Nicholas attended Lindenwood University on a chess scholarship, and served as the chess team captain during his final two years. After earning his degree in sports management, Nicholas returned to South Florida and joined the NSCF/Sunrise team in 2020.
A graduate of South Plantation High School, Nicholas attended Lindenwood University on a chess scholarship, and served as the chess team captain during his final two years. After earning his degree in sports management, Nicholas returned to South Florida and joined the NSCF/Sunrise team in 2020.
NM LIOR LAPID
National Master Lior Lapid, with over 25 years of experience, is a renowned chess instructor and coach. Featured in Chess Life Magazine, CNN, and NPR, he's also been a speaker at the Second Koltanowski International Conference on Chess and Education. Lior's dedication to chess education spans across various states and even internationally, from Colorado to Israel.
Recognized as a "community hero" by Senator Tom Udall, he's been celebrated for his contributions to children's chess education. In 2020, he was named one of Intermountain Jewish News' "15 under 40". Additionally, Lior leads Team USA for People with Disabilities and received the 2021 Outstanding Team Achievement Award from the United States Chess Federation.
Lior's teaching style captivates students as young as kindergarteners through engaging storytelling. His innovative methods blend humor with serious learning, ensuring students not only enjoy chess but also develop higher-order thinking skills and valuable life lessons. He's coached numerous state champions, including the youngest-ever Colorado State Champion and a top-rated player representing Team USA for People with Disabilities.
As a player, Lior boasts an impressive track record, securing multiple scholastic championships and state titles in both New Mexico and Colorado. His victory in the 2011 Southern Rocky FIDE Open, triumphing over Grandmasters and International Masters, stands as a testament to his skill.
Now based in South Florida, Lior has joined the NSCF to teach and help train the NSCF coaches.
Recognized as a "community hero" by Senator Tom Udall, he's been celebrated for his contributions to children's chess education. In 2020, he was named one of Intermountain Jewish News' "15 under 40". Additionally, Lior leads Team USA for People with Disabilities and received the 2021 Outstanding Team Achievement Award from the United States Chess Federation.
Lior's teaching style captivates students as young as kindergarteners through engaging storytelling. His innovative methods blend humor with serious learning, ensuring students not only enjoy chess but also develop higher-order thinking skills and valuable life lessons. He's coached numerous state champions, including the youngest-ever Colorado State Champion and a top-rated player representing Team USA for People with Disabilities.
As a player, Lior boasts an impressive track record, securing multiple scholastic championships and state titles in both New Mexico and Colorado. His victory in the 2011 Southern Rocky FIDE Open, triumphing over Grandmasters and International Masters, stands as a testament to his skill.
Now based in South Florida, Lior has joined the NSCF to teach and help train the NSCF coaches.
Robert McKenzie
Robert McKenzie was a stand-out basketball player who didn't get into chess until college. His brother had picked up the game on road trips while playing in the NFL. Robert’s drive to finally beat his brother at something motivated him to read a book on chess and he was soon winning tournaments and became a Category 1 player.
Robert began his career as a 2nd grade teacher at Castle Hill Elementary in Lauderhill. After earning his Masters in Math Education, he became the Math Specialist and started a school-wide chess program. Today, Robert is the STEM and math specialist at Lauderdale Lakes Middle School where he teaches chess to all his students.
Robert teaches in NSCF community programs across Broward County. He leads NSCF workshops for area teachers, and is also the NSCF tournament director for South Florida.
McKhaila mckenzie
McKhaila McKenzie’s competitive chess journey began at the age of 8 when her “underdog” team from Castle Hill Elementary School won 2nd place in the prestigious All Girls National Chess Championship in Chicago. As a result, she received a Proclamation from the City of Lauderhill, and the story was reported in local and national news. By 12, McKhaila was a regular volunteer with the NSCF and the Sunrise Center for Excellence in Chess, helping introduce new players to the game she loves.
A distinguished graduate of FAU High School and Florida Atlantic University, McKhaila holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology, earned at the age of 20. Now, her sights are set on Medical School, where she aspires to become a pediatrician.
In addition to continuing her personal growth as a player, McKhaila is dedicated to advancing chess opportunities for girls and she works in the NSCF’s Chess Queens mentoring program. Her mission is to foster a heightened interest in the game, ensuring that girls, too, can reap the profound benefits that chess offers.
Brandon Vila
Brandon Vila is a USCF Expert chess player who began his chess journey through a summer chess program just before starting high school at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School. By the Fall 2015 semester, he had joined the school's scholastic chess team, contributing to numerous tournament victories at regional, state, and national levels. As a senior, Brandon began working as a chess coach, mentoring K-12 students across South Florida.
An active tournament player, Brandon’s most notable achievement so far was winning the 2023 Under 2000 Florida State Chess Championship. He joined the NSCF in 2024 to teach and help us with marketing.