We have a number of great Accredited Professional Chess Coaches. Our Chess Coaches have been trained specifically to bring the best out of children with encouraging, supportive feedback in a fun and friendly environment.
We have coaches available throughout the Auckland area and we do make regular trips to the rest of the country several times each year running Chess Power Interschool Tournaments as well as group coaching programmes and Chess Open Days.
You can read more about how a coach can help you but referring to information on our Private Coaching for individuals or our Coaching Programme for groups.
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A ‘never resign’ attitude keeps you in the game longer, and sometimes you can turn the situation around without losing. -
Chess is rarely repetitive. Every game becomes different after only a few moves. This makes it challenging, with always more to learn and remember. You can never be perfect at chess.” -
I pay close attention to the energy and engagement of the students… and I’ll change the pace, make the lesson more interactive, or come back to the idea another time -
A great chess coach doesn't just teach children how to win games — they teach them how to think, how to learn from mistakes, and how to believe in their ability to solve difficult problems. -
Chess teaches adaptability by encouraging children to consider different perspectives, respond to unexpected challenges and find new solutions when their original plan no longer works. -
My goal is to help every child leave each lesson feeling more confident than when they arrived. -
A poor move does not have to define the whole game; students can reassess the position, adapt their plan, and keep trying. -
Students learn that mistakes are a natural part of improvement and that setbacks can be overcome by analysing what happened and trying a better approach next time. -
Chess became the language we shared. -
Children learn that both wins and losses provide useful lessons, and that mistakes are an important part of improvement. -
Chess gives children something increasingly valuable: the opportunity to slow down and think deeply. -
Chess shows children that where you start matters less than the decisions you make, what you learn, and how you respond when things don't go your way. -
For me, coaching is not just about teaching the ‘right move’ — it is about helping students enjoy the process of thinking for themselves -
Eventually, you want them to reach the point where they no longer need you to give them the answer because they have developed the skills to work it out for themselves. -
My goal is not simply to show students which moves to play. I want to help them understand why a move works, how to evaluate a position, and how to think independently over the board.