★ Career highlights — career bests only
the flattering numbers · all formats · live from Lichess + US Chess
Collegiate Chess Champion — University of Texas at Dallas
Attended UTD on a full chess scholarship — one of the most prestigious chess programs in the country.
Graduated Magna Cum Laude (GPA 3.7) with a B.S. in Psychology, December 2003.
Won his first 10 games for the team and helped make history at the highest level of collegiate chess.
Won his first 10 games for the team and helped make history at the highest level of collegiate chess.
🏆 Pan-American Championship · Freshman year
🏆 First-Ever Final Four of Chess · Sophomore year
📜 Magna Cum Laude · GPA 3.7 / 4.0
♟ Full Chess Scholarship · UT Dallas
🏆 The climb — only the awesome bits
milestones & achievements · onward and upward · no steps back
♟ US Chess
ratings-api.uschess.org · member
⚡ Lichess @jeffreyashton
lichess.org/api · rated games only · live
Career at a glance
Around the web
💬 What students & parents say
testimonials from the Panda Chess Academy community
★★★★★
Jeffrey is an incredible coach — patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about helping kids grow. My son went from never playing chess to winning his school tournament in one semester.
St. Alcuin Montessori School
★★★★★
NM Ashton has a rare gift — he can explain grandmaster ideas to a 7-year-old and make it stick. The Panda Chess program completely changed how our school approaches chess.
DFW Area School
★★★★★
Jeffrey directed our tournament with absolute professionalism. 200+ players, zero chaos. He's been running events like a machine for 18+ years. There's nobody better in the area.
Texas Chess Community
Ready to work with a National Master?
Jeffrey has taught 22,500+ students, directed 950+ rated tournaments, and coached at schools from Dallas to Fort Worth. Whether you're a beginner or a tournament player, Panda Chess Academy has a program for you.
🐼 Learn with Jeffrey📈 Lichess rating history
live · all-time per-format ratings (rated games only)
📊 Full statistics
the complete record — every rating, count, and career total
🏅 US Chess milestones
peak & career markers
🗺 Playing career
Events by state
Most recent rated events
🎲 Tournament Director —
Events directed per year
By the numbers
Most recent events directed
| Date | Event | Sections | Players |
|---|
🎓
University of Texas at Dallas
Bachelor of Science in Psychology · December 2003
GPA 3.7 / 4.0 · Attended on a full chess scholarship
GPA 3.7 / 4.0 · Attended on a full chess scholarship
Magna Cum Laude
Chess Scholarship
GPA 3.7
Pan-Am Champions
Final Four of Chess
🏫 Chess coach — Dallas / Fort Worth schools
after-school chess programs · 1999–present · 7+ years as educator
- St. Alcuin Montessori SchoolDallas, TX
- Parish Day Episcopal SchoolDallas, TX
- Norton Elementary SchoolAllen, TX
- Matthews Elementary SchoolPlano, TX
- All Saints Catholic SchoolFort Worth, TX
- Shelton SchoolDallas, TX
- Today's Child Montessori SchoolCarrollton, TX
- St. Monica SchoolDallas, TX
- Akiba AcademyDallas, TX
- Wyatt Elementary SchoolPlano, TX
🏕 Featured instructor — National Chess Camps
invited as a featured instructor at elite national chess camps
- Castle Chess CampTerre Haute, Indiana · Summer 1998
- Whitewater Chess CampWhitewater, Wisconsin · Summer 1998
- USA Chess National Chess TourSummer 2003 · Taught at 8 camps across the United States
💡 Skills & background
Title
National Chess Master
Teaching since
1999
Expertise
Chess instruction
Other skills
Customer service, Leadership
Psychology degree
B.S. · UT Dallas 2003