CheckMate: Chess Night with Engineering Leaders
Engineering Leaders Play Chess
We are thrilled to invite you to Engineering Leaders Play Chess, where strategy meets intellect. Join us for a mix of strategic gameplay and insightful conversation!
As experienced engineering leaders, we know the value of strategy and focus. This event can be a break from the routine to play chess, connect with peers, and share a passion for technology and innovation. It’s not a sales event. It's a space for engineering leaders from the SF Bay Area to meet, connect, and challenge their thinking through the timeless game of chess.
What to expect:
Open to all levels: whether you're a master, a complete beginner, or simply passionate about watching and discussing the game, please join us! We will create a format tailored to your preferences and skill level. Feel free to jump into a match or simply offer insights to others — there's a place for everyone on this board.
Intimate gathering: limited spots to foster real connections and stimulating discussions.
Play against Masters and maybe Grandmasters: test your skills against professionals or simply observe and learn from their gameplay.
No sales pitches: this is for curious minds. Come ready to think, strategize, and engage with fellow leaders in a relaxed, stimulating setting
We believe chess and conversation spark deep insights and connections. Join us for an evening of challenge, inspiration, and fun — no matter your chess experience.
Ready to play? Or simply watch and learn? See you on the chessboard!
Agenda:
6:00 pm - 6:30 pm: Guest Gathering & Networking
6:30 pm - 7:00 pm: Kick-Off and Introduction:
Fireside Chat: "The Intersection of Chess Strategy and Engineering Leadership”, a thought-provoking discussion on how chess principles, such as strategic planning, focus, and decision-making, can influence leadership in engineering teams and complex problem-solving in tech.
Speakers:
Luke Vellotti, International Chess Master (World Rank: 2660), three-time National Chess Champion
Dmitry Grudzinskiy, ex-SVP of Engineering at Natera, Senior Client Partner at Orion Innovation
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Chess Activities:
Tandem Simul: Two Masters, One Challenge!
Luke Vellotti and Rishabh Gokhale team up to play up to 15 challengers simultaneously in an exciting and interactive match!
Chess Masterclass (led by Victor Grigoriev):
A hands-on session covering the fundamentals and basic strategies, perfect for first-timers or casual players.
8:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Free Games & Networking (сasual, open games for all skill levels)
9:00 pm: Wrap-up
Among the guests:
Luke Vellotti is an International Chess Master and a three-time National chess champion. He is a member of the United States Junior Math Olympiad and a five-time All-American U.S. Chess team member. Current rating: USCF 2524 - Blitz 2500 - FIDE 2411.
Rishabh Gokhale is a National Master. He began his chess journey at a young age and quickly achieved notable success, including winning a bronze medal in the Under-7 national category and qualifying for the World Under-7 Championships. Over the years, he has also been a multi-time state champion in India and participated in several prestigious international tournaments, including the World Under-14 Championships.
Partners:
MindsDB enables organizations to move past prototyping to production-ready AI applications that can form answers from any data. MindsDB is based in San Francisco and backed by top investors, including NVIDIA, Y Combinator, Mayfield, and Benchmark.
Orion Innovation is a leading digital transformation and product development services firm. We help companies and startups across various sectors with solving SW technology challenges through scaling the engineering capacity and co-innovating to design high-quality solutions across many industries including industrial IoT, telecom and media, professional services, financial services, healthcare and life sciences, sports and entertainment, and education.
Silicon Valley Chess Community represented by its Founder Viktor Grigorev. SVC brings together people who love playing chess, meeting new friends, and discussing topics like technology and AI. Spanning from the South Bay to San Francisco, the group hosts weekly chess events at local bars, creating a unique social and intellectual atmosphere.