She has faced off against grandmasters, spoken at global chess summits, and now teaches strategy to young students just miles from downtown Canton. Dr. Carolina Blanco, an International Chess Master, built her career with poise, discipline, and a passion for teaching. While most girls leave competitive chess by middle school, Carolina has turned that narrative on its head—especially at the parent-partnered hybrid Cherokee County private Christian school The King’s Academy. Through her company, OrthoChess, Dr. Blanco has led students to regional, state, and national titles. Chess, she believes, isn’t just a game—it’s a mindset.
Carolina didn’t just enter the world of chess—she rose to its rarest ranks. What’s often perceived as a game of cold calculation becomes, in her hands, a canvas for intuition, patience, and power. Carolina, with her inner Venezuelan flair, trained on international stages, brings warmth, confidence, and a vibrant energy to a game traditionally dominated by men. At the age of 12, she earned the title of Woman International Master. By the age of 19, she had become an International Master, a ranking held by fewer than 1% of competitive players worldwide. Alongside her chess pursuits, she earned her doctorate in dentistry and orthodontics in São Paulo, then moved to the U.S., where she built a business combining her passions—OrthoChess.
When she moved to the United States in 2006, her love for the country changed. She launched “Chessmile Braces,” orthodontic brackets designed in the shape of chess pieces. A trained orthodontist, she noticed the symbolic alignment -32 teeth, 32 chess pieces—and ran with the idea, bringing her entrepreneurial vision to life at national dental conferences. Although she no longer practices clinically, Carolina remains active in the field, referring patients to trusted local partners, such as Dr. Glenn Lewis and the Dr. Kragors of Canton.
Now, as a proud US Citizen and local Georgian, her teams have earned top placements at state and regional championships through GAPPS and GISA. In 2024, one of her K-8 teams took the USCF National Team Championship title, with multiple students landing in the nation’s top 10. In 2024, she visited the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis while attending an all-girls competition hosted by Garry Kasparov’s foundation. There, among legends of the game, Carolina is honored for her enduring contribution to chess as both a competitor and a global ambassador.
Despite her achievements, Carolina remains focused on her mission: encouraging young minds—especially girls—to stay engaged. “Chess taught me that strategy and grace go hand-in-hand. I want girls to believe they can lead, win, and shine—on the board, in business, and life,” she says. “Chess sharpens your mind, builds confidence, and teaches resilience. It’s something every student should have access to."
In a world where elegance often overshadows intellect, Carolina proves that the two can coexist in harmony— one calculated move at a time. Elegance is redefined through precision, purpose, and strategic moves. To watch Carolina teach is to witness a masterclass in quiet strength. Her students lean in—not because she commands attention but because she teaches chess not as a game of winners and losers but as a life skill—one that nurtures discipline, accountability, problem-solving, and emotional control.
Her story echoes the quiet brilliance of The Queen’s Gambit—yet this queen doesn’t live on a screen. She began playing competitively at the age of six and became a national champion in Venezuela by the time she was eight years old. That win unlocked international travel, elite coaching, and a desire for mastery. Her education took her to Brazil for her dental doctorate, but chess never left her side. “It was my compass,” she says. “Chess shaped how I think, how I solve, and how I lead.”
Her students don’t just play—they win and do so gracefully. “We’ve built something special,” she says. “We have students who once thought chess was too hard, or too quiet, or too ‘male.’ Now, they’re ranking nationally.”
But it’s not only her students who are evolving. Carolina continues to grow, attending orthodontic conferences, mentoring across three languages, and exploring how her love of fashion might someday merge with chess—a red stiletto on a black-and-white board, perhaps, symbolizing power in femininity and even imagining a future where she combines her love of chess with runway trends. “There’s beauty in sharp thinking and strong style,” she says with a laugh. “One day, maybe I’ll bring that to life too.”
For Carolina, life is not material—it’s mastery. It’s the ability to create space for others to rise. And in a world where chessboards are still more often male than mixed, her presence is unexpected and unforgettable. With multiple languages under her belt, a lifelong learner’s mindset, and a track record of excellence, Dr. Carolina Blanco is the embodiment of modern luxury—where wisdom is wearable and leadership comes in red heels.
“Chess sharpens the mind, builds resilience, and teaches you to think forward. Students need more spaces where they lead—not in reaction to others, but by design.”