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FOUNDER & COACH
Meet Vangel
Vangel Yurukov is the founder of Aspen Snowmass Chess Club, created in July 2020 to bring people together through chess. Growing up in Bulgaria, chess became part of Vangel’s childhood and developed into a lifelong passion. The game taught him to slow down, calculate carefully, make independent decisions, learn from mistakes and respect the person sitting across the board. Years later, after making Aspen and Snowmass his home, he created Aspen Snowmass Chess Club as a way to share those lessons with the local community.
Founded in Snowmass • July 2020
More Than a Game
For Vangel, chess is more than competition. It is a way to develop patience, focus, creativity, resilience and confidence. His teaching encourages students to pause before acting, examine their options, calculate consequences and learn to make thoughtful decisions. For young players especially, the goal is not only to become stronger at chess, but also to become more patient, independent and respectful competitors.
“Chess teaches us to slow down, look again, and make a better decision.”
Building a Chess Community in Aspen Snowmass
What began as a local community chess gathering in 2020 has grown into private coaching, children’s lessons, small-group instruction, community chess clubs and special events throughout Aspen, Snowmass and the Roaring Fork Valley. The club welcomes players of different ages, backgrounds and experience levels — from children learning their first tactics to adults returning to the game after many years. Chess creates a simple shared language: two people, one board and the challenge of finding the best move.
FOCUS
Learn to slow down and look carefully before moving.
CALCULATION
Examine candidate moves and understand consequences.
RESILIENCE
Learn from mistakes without becoming discouraged.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Compete with confidence, humility and respect.
Chess for Every Stage
Private Chess Coaching
Kids & Small-Group Lessons
Community Chess Clubs
Events & Organizational Programs