The following is a list of coaches registered with the ECF and advertising their private services for chess coaching. The ECF has allocated the coaches to tiers based on our Registered Coaches Scheme. Please note that ECF Registered Chess Coaches are not employees or agents of the ECF, and should not be construed as such based on their appearance on the list. The ECF has reviewed the coaches’ application, including chess knowledge, skill level, and previous experience as part of the registration process. It is up to the employer, or the person or organisation seeking to employ one of these listed coaches, to confirm the coach is suitable for their needs and to perform any checks that in their judgement need to be carried out, including checks on current DBS certificates where relevant. Click on the name of the coach to see more details for each coach. Coaches are arranged by level [1-4]
To run a simple search on this page for a particular term e.g. ‘Hampshire‘, ‘Advanced‘ or if you know the name of the coach you’re looking for, CTRL+F will open a search box in your browser
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4
| Level 1 |
| Simon Berry | Region - Worcestershire | Type of coaching - Beginner Email: simonberry144@gmail.com Tel: 07966 412619 Coaching formats – schools, training groups including children, online Credentials/courses – Chess in Schools and Communities Training Courses 2017 & 2019 |
| Thomas Bonn | Region - London | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: th.bonn@laposte.net Coaching formats – schools, online Credentials/courses – Level 5 diploma in Education and Training |
| Raymond Ezra | Region - Yorkshire | Type of coaching - Beginner Email: rayezra@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07751 306524 Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online, SEN Credentials/courses – CSC Teaching Chess in Primary Schools, Leeds; CSC Teaching Chess in Primary Schools, Hull; ECU101 Smart Method of Teaching Chess; Open University OpenLearn course ‘Exploring Sport Coaching and Psychology’ Publications – 21 chess tutorials for beginners on YouTube |
| John Foley | Region - London | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: john.foley@hotmail.com Coaching formats – schools, training groups including children, online Credentials/courses – CSC; ECU101; ECU102; ECU103 Publications – Two Pupil Workbooks for CSC; Book on Primary School Chess, Thinking Skills, published 2010 by CSC; ChessPlus YouTube channel |
| Matthew Forster | Region - West Sussex | Type of coaching - Beginner Email: mj4ster@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, online Credentials/courses – attended SJC training sessions as a teaching assistant for 2 years |
| Satish Gaekwad | Region - Greater London/Kent | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: satish.gaekwad@gmail.com Telephone: 07868 034875 Coaching formats – chess clubs, training groups including children, online Credentials/courses – Introductory Course on Teaching Chess in Primary Schools; ECU School Chess Teacher Course; ECU Chess & Mathematics Course |
| Cassie Graham | Region - West Sussex | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: cassiegraham@virginmedia.com Coaching formats – chess clubs, training groups including children, online |
| John Hipshon | Region - West Yorkshire | Type of coaching - Beginner Email: jr.hipshon@ntlworld.com Coaching formats – chess clubs, training groups including children, online Publications – videos and training materials at www.leedsjuniorchessclub.co.uk |
| Steven Jones | Region - Hampshire | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: stevenjones1812@gmail.com Tel: 07428 198574 Coaching formats – online |
| David Knight | Region - Middlesex | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: daveeknight@hotmail.com Coaching formats – chess clubs |
| Brigitta Peszleg | Region - London | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: brigitta.peszleg@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Credentials/courses – ECU101; ECU102; Judit Polgar’s Chess Palace program |
| Michael Pollard | Region - Yorkshire | Type of coaching - Beginner Email: dunelm27@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools Credentials/courses – One day course run by Sean Marsh for CSC; 2 qualifications for NSPCC |
| Ben Rich | Region - Yorkshire | Type of coaching - Beginner |
| Simon Roe | Region - Hertfordshire | Type of coaching - Beginner Email: simonjroe@aol.com Coaching formats – adults only |
| Alan Ruffle | Region - Staffordshire | Type of coaching - Beginner Email: aa.chess@sky.com Tel: 01785 249781 Coaching formats – schools Publications – The Chess Scene (book) |
| Prince Singh | Region - Surrey | Type of coaching - Beginner Email: 4singp81@solent.ac.uk Tel: 07984 171041 Coaching formats – chess clubs, training groups including children Credentials/courses – EDU101 – Beginner Level Chess |
| Michael Smith | Region - London | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: mikechesstutor@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Credentials/courses – Chess in Schools course on introduction to chess coaching |
| Level 2 |
| Alan Agnew | Region - Leicestershire | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: alanagnew_uk@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 07434 286893 Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, online Credentials/courses – Fully qualified teacher status (QTS) |
| Alec Aslett | Region - Berkshire | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: ajaslett@yahoo.co.uk Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online |
| Joel Bird | Region - London | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: joel@bensoftware.com Tel: 07799 143145 Coaching formats – training groups including children, groups of adults, online |
| Paul Bloom | Region - Surrey | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: paul.bloom3@ntlworld.com Tel: 07722 065930 Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, online Credentials/courses – ECF Arbiter |
| Daniel Brooks | Region - London | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: lashientax@gmail.com Tel: 07393 580592 Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online, SEN |
| Michael Brown | Region - London | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: kendalchess@hotmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, online Credentials/courses – CSC Introductory Chess Coaching Course for Teachers; CSC Skills development Course for Chess Tutors; CSC Online Tutor Training |
| Peter Cloudsdale | Region - Yorkshire | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: cloudsdale_c@hotmail.co.uk Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Credentials/courses – Arbiter Course in Bradford with David Welch |
| Ken Coates | Region - Hampshire | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: ken@gemhadar.co.uk Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, online |
| Neil Dainty | Region - Derbyshire | Type of coaching - Beginner Email: neildainty@talktalk.net Tel: 07870 141191 Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, online Credentials/courses – ECU102 Chess and Mathematics; Classroom training with CSC; Safeguarding with CSC and SHC |
| Ionică Dragomir | Region - London | Type of coaching - All Levels Email: iodragomir@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 07760 113132 Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Credentials/courses – Chess in Schools and Communities Course December 2010, Arbiter Level 1 |
| Jon Freeman | Region - Hertfordshire | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: jontrudy@yahoo.co.uk Coaching formats – chess clubs, training groups including children |
| Marcus Gosling | Region - Surrey | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: marcus94gosling@gmail.com Tel: 07711 946455 Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Publications – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkSJPwS0HjjNgVk4c_TjfwbznDBnDkJah; https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkSJPwS0HjjNztdezrWUiG1nKNoEQLVmP |
| David Graham | Region - West Sussex | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: dave@dgchess.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online |
| Lisa Harrison-Willmoth | Region - London | Type of coaching - Beginner Email: admin@chesscoachingservices.net Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs |
| Alex Holowczak | Region - West Midlands | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: alexholowczak@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools Credentials/courses – CSC Course 2012, Birmingham |
| Colin Hughes | Region - Middlesex | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: colin.chess156@gmail.com Tel: 01895 312959 Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults Credentials/courses – Chess in Schools & Communities One Day Course 2014 |
| Edward Jones | Region - Derbyshire | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: ed47jones@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, online Credentials/courses – ECU School Chess Teacher Certificate |
| Daniel Knight | Region - Middlesex | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: meritcleaning@hotmail.com Tel: 07834 267109 Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, online |
| Nick London | Region - Nottinghamshire | Type of coaching - Beginner Email: nicklondon2222@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Credentials/courses – CSC introductory training session; CSC conference 2018, 2019 |
| Lateefah Messam-Sparks | Region - Madrid, Spain | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: lmessamsparks@yahoo.com Coaching formats – schools, training groups including children, online, SEN |
| George Miller | Region - Bristol | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: checkers@checkers.plus.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Credentials/courses – CSC Tutor course; FIDE Trainers’ Seminar; Exam taken after FIDE Seminar; FIDE Instructor Level, licenced from July 2020 |
| Nigel Moyse | Region - Oxfordshire | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: nigelmoyse@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Credentials/courses – CSC one day coaching course February 2019; CSC two day training course for coaches November 2019 |
| Verity Pettit | Region - Middlesex | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: veritypettit@outlook.com Tel: 07801 881910 Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, online, SEN Credentials/courses – Chess In Schools tutor day, London Training Course; ECU101 The SMART Method to Teach Chess Publications – I have a couple of videos at beginner level on my ChessMates YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJYkuXuZPpWSJ8cB45i1LZg Website – http://www.chessmates.club |
| Margareta Pislariu | Region - London | Type of coaching - Beginner Email: margaretapislariu@yahoo.co.uk Coaching formats – schools, training groups including children, online Credentials/courses – Training Courses with CSC; London Islington Training Course 02.07.2014; NSPCC Child Protection in Schools; Introductory Course on Teaching Chess in Primary School |
| Carl Portman | Region - Oxfordshire | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: carl.portman@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 01295 738001 Coaching formats – schools, groups of adults, online Credentials/courses – Accredited ECU School Chess Teacher Publications – Chess Behind Bars (book) |
| Chris Rice | Region - Kent | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: chrisrice17@hotmail.com Coaching formats – schools, training groups including children, online Credentials/courses – ECU 101; numerous conferences during the annual week of the London Classic for chess in schools up to 2019; various safeguarding and child protection courses |
| James Robinson | Region - London | Type of coaching - Beginner Email: JMR700@Pobroadband.co.uk Coaching formats – schools |
| Noel Stewart | Region - Surrey | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: noelmstewart@btinternet.com Coaching formats – schools, training groups including children |
| Gary Titmas | Region - Kent | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: gary.titmas@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, online |
| Trevor Tolentino | Region - Cambridgeshire | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: trevor.tolentino@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, online Credentials/courses – Chess in Schools and Communities – Training Spring 2019 (Oxford); Qualified Teacher Status, PGCE 2008 Website – https://www.cambournetutoring.co.uk/cambourne-chess |
| Martin Tomes | Region - Suffolk | Type of coaching - Beginner Email: martin.tomes62@gmail.com Coaching formats – chess clubs Publications – http://www.ipswichchess.co.uk/chess-videos.html |
| Glenn Trueman | Region - Greater Manchester | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: glenntrueman@aol.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, online Credentials/courses – CSC Introductory Course 2014; I have attended five CSC December tutor training weekends |
| John Upham | Region - Hampshire | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: john.upham@zen.co.uk Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Website – http://britishchessnews.com/; http://chessforschools.org.uk/; http://www.frimleyjuniorchessclub.org.uk/ |
| Richard Weekes | Region - London | Type of coaching - Beginner Email: rwchessacademy@hotmail.co.uk Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, SEN Publications – 1 | 2 Website – https://rwcworldwide.com/ |
| Stephen Westmoreland | Region - Yorkshire | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: westy147@yahoo.co.uk Coaching formats – chess clubs |
| Russell White | Region - Essex | Type of coaching - Intermediate |
| John Wrench | Region - Isle of Wight | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: j.wrench11@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Credentials/courses – Chess in Schools & Communities – Chess Tutor Training Course (Sheffield Uni); Chess in Schools & Communities – Clasroom Management Course; Chess in Schools & Communities – Safeguarding Course; Chess in Schools & Communities – Regional Organiser Training sessions; Zoom Training Course (whilst working in an IT support role) |
| Level 3 |
| Jonathan Arnott | Region - Sheffield | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: jonathan@steelcitypress.co.uk Tel: 07732 857339 Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Publications – Chess: Skills, Tactics, Techniques (book, Crowood) |
| Emma-Jane Billington-Phillips | Region - Hampshire | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: coach@chessentriesforall.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, SEN Credentials/courses – National and FIDE arbiter courses |
| Jonathan Blackburn | Region - Staffordshire | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: jonathan.blackburn1985@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online, SEN Credentials/courses – PGCE teacher training with University of Wolverhampton; Qualified Teacher Status QTS 1589914; ECU school chess teacher; CSC tutor |
| Michael Forster | Region - West Sussex | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: mike.sussex.chess@cantab.net Coaching formats – training groups including children Credentials/courses – qualified FIDE Arbiter |
| David Hardy | Region - Greater Manchester | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: davidghardy57@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online, SEN Credentials/courses – CSC Regional Organiser, CSC internal courses |
| Mark Josse | Region - Surrey | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: markjosse@hotmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Credentials/courses – FIDE CM and ECF National Master titles; CSC 2 day coaches training course; CSC Online tuition delivery tutor course; CSC Online safeguarding training course |
| David Levens | Region - Derbyshire | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: davidlevens@chesscoach.co.uk Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Publications – Basic Chess [now also sold as Chess Basics]; 3rd edition due April; six 4 Now booklets |
| Philip Makepeace | Regions - London, Oxfordshire | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: philipmakepeace@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Publications – Twitter [twitter.com/chesscoaches]; Streatham Festival simultaneous live coaching stream – https://youtu.be/1lqOMMxO03k; Twitch coaching streams – https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLso7CM4CWiJdV0I3srMMny3xMlK0z89v3 |
| Maria Manelidou | Regions - London | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: london@chessacademy.uk Tel: 07858 563332 Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online, SEN Credentials/courses – Annual CSC training courses since 2015; WFM; Child Protection in Education Level 2 Publications – https://www.facebook.com/events/247575389245568/?active_tab=discussion; https://www.chessacademy.uk/course/chess-for-girls/; https://hammerchess.co.uk/event/fide-master-maria-manelidou/ |
| Graham Nixon | Region - West Yorkshire | Type of coaching - Advanced
Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online, SEN Credentials/courses – qualified teacher |
| Adam Raoof | Region - London | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: adamraoof@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Credentials/courses – the only qualified Steps Method coach in the UK |
| Andrew Varney | Region - Oxfordshire | Type of coaching - All Email: AV.chess@outlook.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, online Credentials/courses – CSC one-day course (2013); regular CSC conference training since 2016 |
| Zoe Varney | Region - Oxfordshire | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: z4zebra@ntlworld.com Coaching formats – chess clubs, training groups including children, online |
| Thomas Villiers | Region - London | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: tmvilliers@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online, SEN Credentials/courses – ECF Arbiter Training; Chess in Schools & Communities training/induction |
| David Zakarian | Region - Oxfordshire | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: davezak13@hotmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, online Credentials/courses – Qualified Teacher Status since 2nd June 2010, General Teaching Council for England |
| Level 4 |
| Dagne Ciuksyte | Region - Suffolk | Type of coaching - All levels Email: mjchessclub@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Publications – https://en.chessbase.com/post/chess-coaching-during-the-covid-19-pandemic; https://en.chessbase.com/post/chess-variants-entertaining-fun-instructive Website – https://dagnechess.co.uk/ |
| Lorin D'Costa | Region - London | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: lorin_eagles@hotmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, online Credentials/courses – IM; Qualified for the International FIDE Trainer’s title; Over 10 years’ experience Publications – Chessbase English Opening; Chess on Toast DVDs; Move By Move Series with Everyman Chess (4 books) Website – http://www.lorinchess.com/about/ |
| John Emms | Region - Kent | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: gmjohnemms95@gmail.com Tel: 07716 271630 Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online, SEN Publications – authored / co-author of more than 40 books on openings, endgames, tactics and strategy |
| Mark Hebden | Region - Leicestershire | Type of coaching - Advanced |
| Adam Hunt | Region - Suffolk | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: ads59@yahoo.com Tel: 07717 696370 Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online, SEN Credentials/courses – Holder of FIDE Trainer title Publications – Chess Strategy, Move by Move (Everyman Chess) |
| Sheila Jackson | Region - Middlesex, Hertfordshire & London | Type of coaching - All levels Email: sjackson488@btinternet.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Credentials/courses – WGM; attended Batsford Coaching session led by Bob Wade to qualify as Regional Coach; 20+ years chess coaching experience |
| Richard James | Region - London | Type of coaching - Intermediate Email: richard@chessheroes.uk Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online, SEN Publications – The (Even More) Complete Chess Addict; Addicts’ Corner; Move One!; Chess for Kids; The Right Way to Teach Chess to Kids |
| Gary Kenworthy | Region - Buckinghamshire | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: gary.kenworthy@btopenworld.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online, SEN Credentials/courses – National Coach certificate; Former BCF Director of Coaching; FIDE Master certificate |
| Andrew Ledger | Region - South Yorkshire | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: andrew_ledger@outlook.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Credentials/courses – Chess in Schools and Communities course attended in Hull in January 2019; shadowing in May, June 2019 |
| Sarah Longson | Region - Cheshire | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: sarah@ukchess.co.uk Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Publications – co-author, ECF Academy material Website – https://www.delanceyukschoolschesschallenge.com/ |
| Andrew Martin | Region - countrywide | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: a.martin2007@yahoo.co.uk Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Credentials/courses – FIDE Senior Trainer; IM with 40 years’ coaching experience |
| Tony Niccoli | Region - London | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: tonyniccolichess@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Credentials/courses – Level 2 ECF Arbiter |
| Nick Pert | Region - Hampshire | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: nickpert@hotmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online Credentials/courses – GM Publications – many DVDs with Chessbase / Ginger GM Website: http://www.gmchess.co.uk |
| Nicholas Thomas | Region - Warwickshire | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: athomnic@gmail.com Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, online |
| Robert Willmoth | Region - London | Type of coaching - Advanced Email: robwillmoth@hotmail.co.uk Coaching formats – schools, chess clubs, training groups including children, groups of adults, online, SEN |