Sam Zhang – Secretary

Sam Zhang is a third-year Physics student. He is a National Master of the US and Canada, first playing at Hart House in the 2024 Canadian Zonals the summer before his freshman year. In his free time, he is a regular at a few pool halls, plays the violin, and enjoys various strategy games.

Samuel Zheng – Treasurer

Samuel Zheng is a 4th-year undergraduate student studying Math and Statistics. He joined the Hart House Chess Club in his 1st year at UofT, and has represented the club at both the CUCC and Pan-Am Intercollegiate tournaments. Outside of chess, he plays soccer, does trivia, and is (unfortunately for him) a diehard Vancouver Canucks fan.

Max Rusonik – Event Coordinator

Max Rusonik is a 3rd year undergraduate student studying Math, Statistics, and Economics. His dad taught him chess when he was just 4 years old, and he has been playing ever since. Playing in many tournaments in his youth, he eventually went on to place third in the Pan American Chess Championship for U18 securing his FM title and achieving a CFC rating over 2400. Though Max has less time for pursuing chess professionallly during his studies, he is proud to have been part of UofT’s wonderful team at the Canadian University Chess Championship. He is very grateful to be a part of the club’s board and is looking forward to helping HHCC’s community.

Emir Eshberk – Communications

Emir Eshberk is a second year double majoring in Immunology and Health & Disease. He has been a Hart House Chess Club member since 2025, being last year’s First Year Representative. He usually is either reading, studying, or tilting his chess.com rating.

Jordon Gao – First-Year Representative

Jordon Gao is a first-year Mechanical Engineering student. He has been playing chess since childhood and is an intermediate player with a rating of around 2100 on Chess.com. This is his first year at Hart House Chess Club. In his free time, he likes to play the guitar, basketball and HOK, a MOBA game.

Yuri Seong – Fundraising Chair

Yuri Seong is a second year undergraduate student studying Math and Economics. Having recently joined the Hart House Chess Club, she is still new to the game and excited to improve her chess skills throughout the year. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, listening to vinyls, and checking out cute cafes.