I am a dedicated chess player and youth coach who enjoys helping children learn, improve, and develop confidence through chess. I currently have a Chess.com rapid rating of approximately 1600 and have maintained a streak of more than 1,800 consecutive days playing chess. Chess has been a consistent part of my life for many years, and I enjoy sharing that interest with young players.
I believe my experience and teaching approach are particularly well suited to elementary-aged students. I...
I am a dedicated chess player and youth coach who enjoys helping children learn, improve, and develop confidence through chess. I currently have a Chess.com rapid rating of approximately 1600 and have maintained a streak of more than 1,800 consecutive days playing chess. Chess has been a consistent part of my life for many years, and I enjoy sharing that interest with young players.
I believe my experience and teaching approach are particularly well suited to elementary-aged students. I have children of my own and have experience coaching youth sports, which has given me experience communicating concepts at an age-appropriate level, and keeping young students engaged. I understand that teaching a child is different from simply showing them the correct move. Patience, encouragement, and the ability to explain ideas in a way a child can understand are essential.
My chess lessons focus on building a strong foundation rather than overwhelming students with advanced theory. We work on fundamentals, opening principles, tactics, evaluating positions, and developing a consistent thought process before making a move. I use puzzles, example positions, guided decision-making, and practice games to help students apply what they learn. My goal is for students to understand why a move is good, recognize patterns for themselves, and gradually become more confident and independent players.
