What do you think makes you a good coach?
I think what makes me a good coach is my ability to make chess genuinely fun and engaging while still creating a strong learning environment. In casual lessons before class at my current job, I bring a sense of humour that kids respond really well to, and I aim for a good balance of fun and focus. I like using memorable phrases and simple ideas to make key concepts stick, such as “If it’s free, it’s for me” (to encourage spotting undefended pieces), or “Double up to bubble up” (to teach the strength of stacking rooks on the same file).
I also pay close attention to students’ energy and engagement. If a topic starts to feel too dry or a student begins to lose focus, I’ll change the pace, make the lesson more interactive, or revisit the idea another time. Keeping sessions enjoyable and varied is especially important for younger players.
Another strength of mine is patience and empathy. Every child learns differently and at their own pace. Some concepts take longer to fully understand, and that is completely okay as long as the student keeps putting in effort and continuing to improve. My goal is to help kids feel encouraged, confident, and excited to keep learning.
What are your key strengths?
One of my key strengths as a coach is making chess approachable and enjoyable. I break concepts down in a way that feels engaging rather than overwhelming, while still being able to challenge and advance students who want to learn more.
I prioritise creating an environment where kids feel comfortable making mistakes and learning from them. Confidence and enjoyment are important parts of improvement, and I want students to feel encouraged to ask questions, experiment with ideas, and think for themselves without worrying about getting everything perfect straight away.
As a player, the style of chess I teach is active and grounded in solid opening principles rather than memorising long lines of theory. I place a strong emphasis on creativity, understanding ideas, and learning why a move is good, rather than simply knowing what move comes next. This helps students become more adaptable, confident, and independent players in the long term.
Why do you love Chess?
I’ve always been drawn to games that make me think. As a kid I loved puzzle games, but I’d eventually get bored once they got too easy. In my teenage years I played Counter-Strike competitively, but when the game changed and my main teammates stopped playing, I did as well.
Chess captured everything I loved about competitive games, but in a form that is simple to learn while being endlessly deep and complex. I’ve always been naturally competitive through sports, and once I began studying the game and learning about the world’s top players, I became completely absorbed in it.
What I love most about chess is the level of concentration it demands—it’s one of the few things that allows me to focus entirely on the position in front of me. I also enjoy learning about the history of chess. Knowing this game has been played and loved for centuries really interests me, and learning about different eras and players (including Paul Morphy) combines my love of history and chess.
I also love the creativity in chess: it can be played passively or aggressively, through twenty moves of theory—or it can become completely unique by move six.
When/how did you first learn to play?
I first learned to play chess at 18 on Chess.com, starting with the video tutorials on the site. I picked the game up quickly, which led me to learn more advanced concepts through YouTube lessons and online chess communities, where I practised regularly and improved alongside other players.
I developed a love for chess almost immediately. The combination of strategy, competition, and constant learning drew me in, and from there I became interested not only in improving my own game, but also in chess history, online personalities, and today’s strongest players.
Why do you enjoy working with kids?
I enjoy working with kids because of the energy and enthusiasm they bring. Seeing a child improve, solve a difficult problem, or feel proud after a win is incredibly rewarding.
As a chess coach, I think the role is about much more than simply teaching chess. It is also about helping kids develop patience, problem-solving skills, resilience, and confidence, while learning how to handle both wins and losses in a healthy way.
Growing up, I had a few teachers who had a big impact on me. They motivated me to challenge myself, improve, and enjoy the learning process at the same time. I would love to have that same positive influence on the kids I work with and help create an environment where they can learn, grow, and enjoy themselves.
What are your main Chess achievements?
My main achievements in chess are centred around how quickly I progressed after starting the game. Within a year of learning how to play, I reached around 1500 Rapid on Chess.com. Within 18 months of learning chess, I reached 2500 in Chess.com puzzles.
How do you think Chess helps kids?
Chess helps kids develop focus, patience, emotional control, and personal responsibility. Unlike many team activities, every decision in chess is their own, so they learn to think independently, reflect on mistakes, and improve from them in a healthy way. Because it is wrapped up in an enjoyable and competitive game, these lessons feel natural rather than forced.
Chess also teaches important social skills and sportsmanship. Kids learn how to win with humility, lose with grace, respect their opponent, and handle pressure calmly. These are valuable life skills both inside and outside of chess.
One of the great things about chess is that it is truly universal. Age, background, nationality, and personality matter far less than effort and thinking ability, which allows kids to connect with people they may never have interacted with otherwise.
For children who struggle with focus or attention, chess can also be an excellent outlet. When a child genuinely enjoys the game, concentration and persistence often develop naturally through play and problem-solving. Overall, chess supports both intellectual growth and character development in a way that is engaging, challenging, and rewarding.