Hello
Christopher Major
Founder/President
Novato Chess Club
My Story
Chris formed Novato Chess Club, a 501(c) not for profit-corporation in 2014. He holds
an Educational Specialist Credential from the University of San Francisco in 2003, and
received his undergraduate degree from Saint Mary’s College in the field of Business
and Economics in 1983. He is an ordained Deacon in the Archdiocese of San Francisco
assigned to Saint Isabella Parish, duties include Marriage Preparation coordinator, and
working under the direction of Pastor Cyril O’Sullivan.
He is 16 year member of Rotary International, and currently a member of the Rotary e-Club Silicon Valley D5170. He is known as The Apostle of Chess (see article), having traveled to Mexico, Haiti, Jamaica, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), and support programs in Calgary,
Ottawa, and Ukraine.
He currently teaches chess at Gate Academy, San Francisco Police Activities League (virtual), Valley Vista Public Waldorf School, and Saint Isabella Parish.
Awards, Acknowledgements, Media:
The Rotarian, "Winning Gambit"
Alumnae Magazine Saint Mary's College, 'Paying it Forward: Sharing the Spirit' 2008
The greatest gift in teaching this (seemly 😏 ) complicated game is making it fun, and
watching the human spirit come alive. It is in the sharing of knowledge, community and
in fellowship; that there can be no greater JOY. Challenging ourselves intellectual,
spiritually, and emotionally. And chess will do that!
Our goal is FUN, we mostly likely will not create world class Adult chess players, nor are
we going to try. However, we will enhance your knowledge of the game, reduce the fear
of learning the game, and provide you with the knowledge to spread the game to your
family, friends, and community.
In a very competitive world we are all asked to be smarter, faster quicker in this AI
world. But, in the world chess; and work of Novato Chess Club, we believe it is
important to enjoy creation, slow down and be in communion with the other.
Chess may seem complicated, but as special education teacher we break it down piece
by piece so all can learn more easily. Hands on training matters!
Much of the values learned in this game are interpersonal skills; humility, patience,
perseverance, sacrifice, empathy are all life skills that we asked to improve on,
regardless of age and/or ability.
Board of Directors
Roderick J. Roche – Sunpower Corporation, Richmond
Rod is a real estate developer, and a construction management executive with over 20 years of experience. Rod is currently serving as a Senior Manager for SunPower Corporation, delivering high-performance solar electric systems for commercial and utility scale customers in North America.
Rod is a graduate of Saint Mary’s College of California ’85, attaining a Master of Business Administration in Finance. He also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in the School of Economics and Business in Administration ’85.
Rod played professionally for Los Angeles Dodgers minor-league organization, he played collegiate baseball at Saint Mary’s College as a (3) year starter.
He is married with two lovely children.