About
2018 · Livingston, NJ
Open to all LHS students
Every Thursday · 2:41–4:00 PM · Room B247
Built on strategy. Driven by community.
The LHS Chess Club exists to give every student a place to think deeply, compete seriously, and grow alongside people who share their passion for the game.
We believe chess teaches more than moves — it builds patience, sharpens focus, and develops the kind of strategic thinking that carries into every part of life.
Whether you're picking up a piece for the first time or already rated, there's a place for you here.
Four Titles. One Legacy.
The Club Begins
Students start meeting in Room B247 after school under faculty advisor Will Peklo — casual matches, a love of the game, no trophies yet.
The Heritage Cohort
A group of Heritage Middle School players — Aston Roberts, Lev Koganov, Roger Zhang, Claire Cheng, and Quan Tran — places 2nd at the National K-8 Championship in Grapevine, TX. They arrive at LHS ready to compete.
Inaugural Varsity Season 🏆
First year of competitive varsity chess. The team goes undefeated at the NJ State HS Championship to claim the program's first state title — and finishes 5th nationally in their debut at the National HS Championship.
Back-to-Back 🏆
Second consecutive NJ state title. At the National HS Championship in Baltimore, the Lancers finish 2nd nationally — losing to The Dalton School (NYC) by just one point. Haari Muthukumar scores 5.5/7 on top board.
Three-Peat 🏆
Third straight NJ state championship in a field of 26 teams. The team competes at SuperNationals VIII in Orlando, finishing 6th nationally out of the nation's top K-12 programs.
The Four-Peat 🏆
Four consecutive NJ High School Chess Championships — the first program in the modern era to do it. Senior captains Aston Roberts (NM) and Lev Koganov lead an undefeated states run. LHS sweeps JV 1st and 2nd as well.
Titled players. One program.
For a public high school in only its fourth varsity season, Livingston produced a rare concentration of titled and near-titled players — all from a single graduating cohort.
Aston Roberts
National Master
Class of 2026
USCF
2200+
FIDE ID
30990050
2025–26 captain. Undefeated at 2026 states. Founder of Checkmate for a Better Future. Transferred from Success Academy (NYC) and became the anchor of the four-peat dynasty.
Roger Zhang
National Master
Class of 2026
USCF
~2253
FIDE ID
30943710
Co-captain 2023–24. Achieved NM as a rising sophomore. Scored 5.0/7 on board 2 at the 2026 National HS Championship. Part of the original Heritage MS founding cohort.
Haari Muthukumar
FIDE Master
Class of 2025
USCF
~2313
FIDE ID
—
Highest-rated LHS player on record. Scored 5.5/7 at the 2024 National HS Championship — LHS's best individual result. Top board at both 2024 Nationals and 2025 SuperNationals.
Tournament Record
2022–23
1st — NJ States
5th Nationally (inaugural season)
2023–24
1st — NJ States
2nd Nationally (Baltimore)
2024–25
1st — NJ States
6th Nationally (SuperNationals)
2025–26
1st — NJ States
10th Nationally (Chicago)
Our Values
Strategy
Chess rewards those who think ahead. We cultivate that same long-view thinking in everything we do — on the board and off it.
Community
We show up for each other. Whether you're a beginner or a competitor, this club is yours. Everyone has a seat at the table.
Excellence
We compete at the highest level we can reach. State champions aren't born — they're built through practice, study, and grit.
Growth
Every loss is a lesson. We embrace the grind, reflect on our mistakes, and come back stronger. Progress is the only goal.
The Board
All members →
The people who built it
Coach & Advisor
Mr. Will Peklo
Social Studies Dept. · wpeklo@livingston.org
The only adult consistently associated with LHS chess since the program's founding. Coaches both the competitive Chess Team and advises the Chess Club, and serves as tournament director for LHS-hosted USCF events.
Program Co-Founder
Bridgette Ingraham-Roberts
2024 Caribbean Life Impact Award recipient
Parent co-founder credited with helping establish the varsity chess program alongside the Heritage Middle School cohort. Instrumental in building the community infrastructure behind four consecutive state titles.
Ready to play?
No experience required. Just show up, make your move, and become part of the team.