What makes you a good coach?
There is something incredibly rewarding about seeing young people grow in confidence, develop new skills, and achieve their potential. I believe my ability to recognise the unique qualities, strengths, and needs of each individual is at the heart of what makes me an effective coach.
I genuinely love chess and enjoy continually expanding my own understanding of the game. I also believe that some of the most valuable lessons come from experience. Over the years, I have made many mistakes on the chessboard, and those experiences have helped me understand how to explain ideas clearly, anticipate common challenges, and guide students through their own learning process.
My goal is to create an environment where students feel supported, encouraged, and comfortable taking on new challenges.
What are your key strengths?
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Empathy – I have a strong understanding of how people may be feeling, which allows me to communicate and teach with patience, compassion, and encouragement. I want every student to feel heard, respected, and supported.
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Creativity – I love finding ways to make lessons interesting, interactive, and enjoyable. I strongly believe that learning should be fun because when students enjoy the process, they become more motivated to participate, practise, and improve.
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Adaptability – Every child has their own personality, strengths, and preferred way of learning. I enjoy meeting students where they are and adapting my coaching style so that each learner has the opportunity to understand, succeed, and thrive.
Why do you love chess?
As someone who has always enjoyed games, logic, and puzzles, it feels natural for me to love chess. It is a game that challenges you to think both tactically and creatively, and no two games are ever exactly the same.
Chess constantly presents new situations to solve. It encourages you to evaluate different possibilities, anticipate your opponent’s ideas, and find the best response. There is also a wonderful sense of satisfaction that comes from improving your ability to think clearly, recognise patterns, and solve problems.
When and how did you first learn to play?
I first started playing chess with my brother when we were in primary school. We were inspired by the scene in the first Harry Potter movie featuring a magical, life-sized chessboard. We thought it looked exciting, so we decided to learn the game and began playing together.
What started as curiosity quickly became a lasting interest, and I have continued playing, learning, and developing my chess skills ever since.
Why do you enjoy working with kids?
I think children are incredible. They are naturally creative, curious, adaptable, and full of unexpected ideas. They often surprise me with the way they approach problems and the unique perspectives they bring to a lesson.
I love helping young people understand new tactics, develop problem-solving skills, and experience the excitement of making progress. At the same time, working with children also enriches my own thinking. Their questions and perspectives often encourage me to look at chess concepts in new and imaginative ways.
Watching a student move from uncertainty to understanding—and seeing their confidence grow—is one of the most rewarding parts of coaching.
What are your main chess achievements?
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Created a Chess.com account in November 2025 and achieved a rapid rating of more than 900.
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Reached a ranking within approximately the top 20% of global online rapid players.
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Successfully outplayed a friend who was rated approximately 1800 at the time.
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Continued to develop my understanding of chess through regular play, analysis, and study.
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Used my own victories, losses, and mistakes to become a more thoughtful and relatable coach.
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Developed the ability to explain chess ideas in a way that is clear, encouraging, and accessible to young learners.
I am still learning and improving, which I believe is an important strength. It allows me to relate to students who are also working through challenges, making mistakes, and building their confidence step by step.
How do you think chess helps kids?
Chess ultimately teaches children how to make thoughtful decisions. During a game, players must constantly ask themselves important questions:
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Is this the right time to trade pieces?
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Should I attack, defend, or continue developing?
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Is a sacrifice worthwhile?
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What might my opponent be planning?
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Which move will bring me closer to my long-term goal?
Answering these questions encourages children to slow down, consider the consequences of their choices, and compare different possibilities before acting.
Chess helps develop important skills such as critical thinking, concentration, patience, planning, creativity, problem-solving, and resilience. It also teaches children that mistakes are not failures—they are opportunities to learn, adapt, and make better decisions next time.
These lessons extend far beyond the chessboard. They equip young people with valuable tools that can support them in their education, relationships, future careers, and everyday decision-making.