Wizard of the Month Spotlight - September 2025 - Fabian Angel Del Castillo

Our employee of the month is Wizard Angel from Oregon!

Angel is a rockstar instructor, and his classes and camps are loved by his students and school faculty alike. "Is Angel returning?" Is a very common question we get asked when booking new sessions at his schools. He is a pleasure to work with and he has some pretty sweet mind reading powers as well!

Angel, thank you for being such an outstanding employee and teacher!

To show our appreciation for your dedication and hard work – please check your email this week for a special gift from us.

 

Cheсk out our interview with Angel below:

 

1. Who are you, where do you come from, where are you going? 

I'm Chess Wizard Angel! I came here from beyond the stars centuries ago to pass on my chess knowledge to new wizards! (Technically, I landed in El Paso Texas in the mid 90's) and I'm going to continue to steward more minds long into the future.

 

2. How long have you been teaching with Chess Wizards?

I've been teaching with Chess Wizards for about 7 years now, started in late 2018! 

 

3. What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since you started teaching? 

That no matter the age, we're all just people & we never stop learning and growing.

 

4. What is the most exciting experience you have had while playing or teaching chess? 

Having our first multi-school tournament be such a success with students, parents and administrators, and seeing the faces of Wizards winning trophies!  

 

5.  How do you motivate your students to succeed? 

Laughing & smiling are key, as you have more & more fun, you grow and so do your skills!

 

6.  If you could retire tomorrow and never have to worry about money again, what would you do with your time? 

I would study & help conserve as many endangered species of plants & animals as possible, working to make sure they're all still around for new wizards to marvel at!

 

7.  What’s your go-to technique for dealing with ‘handful students’? 

Making the class fun, by switching partners, variations (8 queens or anti-chess) or activities, there is always something fun to work on in Chess Wizards!

                                                                                                                                     

8. What is an unusual place you have been to? 

100 miles off the coast, traveling from Canada to Mexico by boat! 

 

9. Do you have a talent that not many people know about? 

Reading minds, predicting the future, and a small amount of mind control (all on the chess board of course.) 

 

10. What’s your #1 teaching tip?  

Getting to know your students by name & face so that they know you really see them and care, comes above all else for me.

 

11. What is something interesting that you’re involved in, outside of Chess Wizards? 

Pokemon with my son, catching them all! 

                                                                                                                                                             

12.  If you saw a kangaroo and a chimpanzee playing chess what would you do? Who do you think would win? 

Narrate, videotape for posterity, and the winner would be whoever can get them to shake & say “good game” afterwards.

 

13.  Star Wars, Star Trek, or they’re both lame? 

Star Wars definitely rules the galaxy for me! 

 

14. What do you like most about working with Chess Wizards? 

Chess Wizards has never felt like just a job, but truly a wonderful opportunity to make playing impact on children's life.