Recently active
Since August 2026
Instructor since August 2026
Chess for Beginners,
From 68 C$ /h
I offer relaxed, supportive chess lessons for beginners and developing players of all ages.
My approach is about more than simply learning the rules or memorising openings. I use chess to help people build confidence, concentration, patience, decision-making, resilience and problem-solving skills while learning the game at their own pace.
I particularly enjoy working with people who may feel nervous about learning something new, have struggled with traditional teaching styles, or simply want a more patient and encouraging way to learn chess.
Lessons are adapted to the individual. Some people learn best by playing, some by talking through positions, and others by breaking the game down step by step.
There is no pressure to compete or already be good at chess. Complete beginners are very welcome.
My aim is simple: help you understand the board, enjoy the game and become more confident in finding your own moves.
My approach is about more than simply learning the rules or memorising openings. I use chess to help people build confidence, concentration, patience, decision-making, resilience and problem-solving skills while learning the game at their own pace.
I particularly enjoy working with people who may feel nervous about learning something new, have struggled with traditional teaching styles, or simply want a more patient and encouraging way to learn chess.
Lessons are adapted to the individual. Some people learn best by playing, some by talking through positions, and others by breaking the game down step by step.
There is no pressure to compete or already be good at chess. Complete beginners are very welcome.
My aim is simple: help you understand the board, enjoy the game and become more confident in finding your own moves.
Extra information
No previous chess experience is required. Chess equipment can be provided. Lessons are relaxed and adapted to your pace, confidence and preferred way of learning. If you have any learning, communication or support needs, you are welcome to let me know beforehand.
Location
At student's location :
- Around Barnsley, United Kingdom
Online from United Kingdom
About Me
I’m a community-focused chess tutor who believes chess is about much more than winning games. I use it to help students build confidence, patience, concentration, decision-making, resilience and the ability to think ahead.
My teaching style is relaxed, encouraging and visual. I break chess down into simple, repeatable patterns such as Build → Look → Improve → Attack → Finish, helping students understand why a move works rather than simply memorising openings.
I’m particularly interested in pattern recognition, preventative play, positional thinking and helping students learn to ask, “What happens next?” I use ideas from great players such as Paul Morphy, alongside modern understanding of chess psychology and learning.
Through my community chess project, Check Mates, I have experience introducing chess to people with very different abilities and confidence levels. I’m comfortable teaching complete beginners as well as helping developing players understand their own playing style.
I want students to enjoy chess, feel comfortable making mistakes and gradually become independent thinkers over the board.
My teaching style is relaxed, encouraging and visual. I break chess down into simple, repeatable patterns such as Build → Look → Improve → Attack → Finish, helping students understand why a move works rather than simply memorising openings.
I’m particularly interested in pattern recognition, preventative play, positional thinking and helping students learn to ask, “What happens next?” I use ideas from great players such as Paul Morphy, alongside modern understanding of chess psychology and learning.
Through my community chess project, Check Mates, I have experience introducing chess to people with very different abilities and confidence levels. I’m comfortable teaching complete beginners as well as helping developing players understand their own playing style.
I want students to enjoy chess, feel comfortable making mistakes and gradually become independent thinkers over the board.
Education
Barnsley College.
Northern College – studies including Mental Health & Wellbeing, Alcohol Awareness and Level 2 Counselling Concepts.
I also undertake ongoing independent study in chess education, pattern recognition, chess psychology, decision-making and the research surrounding chess, cognition and wellbeing.
Northern College – studies including Mental Health & Wellbeing, Alcohol Awareness and Level 2 Counselling Concepts.
I also undertake ongoing independent study in chess education, pattern recognition, chess psychology, decision-making and the research surrounding chess, cognition and wellbeing.
Experience / Qualifications
Founder and lead of Check Mates, a community chess initiative in Barnsley.
Experience planning and delivering accessible chess sessions for beginners and developing players, including structured learning around:
• piece movement and board awareness
• check and checkmate patterns
• opening principles
• positional play
• preventative thinking
• pattern recognition
• calculation and variation trees
• middlegame planning
• endgame principles
• confidence and decision-making through chess
Background in adult social care management, support and community engagement, including extensive experience communicating with people with different learning styles, confidence levels and support needs.
Training includes Level 2 Counselling Concepts, Mental Health & Wellbeing and Alcohol Awareness.
Strong safeguarding awareness, experience supporting people in community settings, and a teaching approach based around patience, encouragement, clear boundaries and helping each student progress at their own pace.
Experience planning and delivering accessible chess sessions for beginners and developing players, including structured learning around:
• piece movement and board awareness
• check and checkmate patterns
• opening principles
• positional play
• preventative thinking
• pattern recognition
• calculation and variation trees
• middlegame planning
• endgame principles
• confidence and decision-making through chess
Background in adult social care management, support and community engagement, including extensive experience communicating with people with different learning styles, confidence levels and support needs.
Training includes Level 2 Counselling Concepts, Mental Health & Wellbeing and Alcohol Awareness.
Strong safeguarding awareness, experience supporting people in community settings, and a teaching approach based around patience, encouragement, clear boundaries and helping each student progress at their own pace.
Age
Children (7-12 years old)
Teenagers (13-17 years old)
Adults (18-64 years old)
Seniors (65+ years old)
Student level
Beginner
Intermediate
Duration
60 minutes
The class is taught in
English
Availability of a typical week
(GMT -04:00)
New York
Online via webcam
At student's home
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
00-04
04-08
08-12
12-16
16-20
20-24
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