Hana Itkis

Hana is going into her fourth year at Bard College, hoping to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in literature and creative writing. She started playing at the international chess academy when she was eight years old. She has been teaching chess on and off for six years and playing competitively for ten years. She has had the privilege to travel around the world, playing in the world youth chess championships. 

She has not always seen herself as the most enthusiastic teacher, but spending last summer, six weeks at camp, she has found that teaching is fulfilling in its own way, especially when the kids are eager to learn and excited about the game. She believes in challenging her students at any level is important, but the hardest part is keeping them focused, now that’s never easy.