- FIDE, NM & CM Rated Coaches
- DBS-Checked Coaches
- Ages 7 to Adult, All Levels Welcome
- Online & In-Person Lessons
Our Story
Chess Lessons and School Chess Clubs
UK Chess Coaching consists of a team of experienced professional chess teachers based around the UK. Our aim is to provide the best quality chess education for our pupils. Our lessons consist of opening middlegame and endgame play, tactics, strategy, tournament skills and professional etiquette.
UK Chess Coaching is inspired to share chess with both children and adults, teaching them how to develop their abilities and their own pattern of thinking, while having fun and enjoying the game.
UK Chess Coaching provides private lessons for children as well as school chess clubs around the UK.
Chess is everything - Art, Science and Sport
Anatoly Karpov
Why Learn With UK Chess Coaching
UK Chess Coaching brings together a team of National Master, Chess Master and FIDE Master coaches, delivering private lessons and school chess clubs across the UK for children and adults of any level, from complete beginners to tournament players. All of our coaches are DBS-checked, so parents and schools can feel confident welcoming us into their homes and classrooms.
A Few Words About
Our Team
Our chess teachers are passionate about Chess and are equally experienced in working with both individuals and groups.
Roman Mitra
National Master (NM), Chess coach
Roman has been playing chess competitively since he was a child — a journey that took him all the way to representing England, and to winning the London Junior Chess Championship twice. Now a National Master with a 2700 blitz rating on Chess.com, he brings genuine elite-level playing strength to every lesson.
But what students notice most is his patience. Roman coaches players of all ages and levels, and several of his students have gone on to win tournaments of their own.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or an intermediate player looking to sharpen your game, Roman tailors every lesson to the individual in front of him — building not just stronger chess players, but more confident, resilient thinkers.
DBS-checked. Available for online and in-person lessons.
Jonathan Pein
Chess Master (CM), Chess coach
Jonathan is a chess professional who has represented England at junior level, won several international open tournaments, and was crowned British Chess960 Champion in 2015. He holds the Chess Master title and a 2600 blitz rating on Chess.com, giving him a strong, well-rounded understanding of the game across formats.
With eight years of coaching experience, Jonathan has worked with students at every stage of their chess journey, from absolute beginners to elite juniors, helping each one build a genuine understanding of the game rather than just memorised lines.
Whatever your current level, Jonathan adapts his coaching to suit you, focusing on the ideas and habits that will keep you improving long after the lesson ends.
DBS-checked. Available for online and in-person lessons.
Michael Fernandez
FIDE Master (FM), Chess coach
Michael became one of the youngest titled players in the country, earning his FIDE Master title at a young age. He holds a 2600 blitz rating on Chess.com, reflecting the sharp, competitive edge he brings to his coaching.
Alongside his chess coaching, Michael also works as a personal trainer, and believes firmly that a healthy body supports a healthy mind. He’s devoted to giving back to his community, and brings that same generosity of spirit to every lesson.
Michael tailors his coaching to each student, helping players build both the skills and the discipline to keep improving both on and off the board.
DBS-checked. Available for online and in-person lessons.
National lessons
Our teachers have taught students around the country, both online and in person.
High Quality
Our team of professional and enthusiastic chess teachers are accustomed to working with both children and adults.
Flexible Pricing
Pricing starts from £25 per hour, depending on lesson type and frequency - get in touch and we'll tailor a plan to suit you.
Simple Booking
Simply get in touch with your enquiry, and the right coach will contact you directly to arrange a convenient time and lesson format.
Private Coaching
Private coaching is the most effective and time efficient option if you want to develop and improve your chess skills.
One-on-one lessons allow the student to ask many questions and learn new techniques and methods at his or her own pace. It also allows the teacher to tailor the curriculum to the individual student.
Key aspects of our lessons
Play Style
Determining play style and eliminating typical mistakes
Opening
Establish a solid opening
Middlegame
Working on middlegame ideas such as centralising your pieces and avoiding pawn weaknesses
Endgame
Professional endgame techniques - you will always feel confident in exchanging pieces and pawns
Consultation
We will begin with an in-depth consultation where we will
assess the strengths and weaknesses of the student. UK Chess Coaching aims to
use our coaches’ strengths to optimise the learning time you have with them.
The consultation will include the following:
- Your Fide, ECF or online rating
- Opening knowledge
- Tactical ability
- Positional understanding
- Attacking and defending in endgames
- Game analysis
Lessons
At UK Chess Coaching, we offer private lessons for both children and adults. Any skill level can be accommodated, from beginner to tournament level. Our professional teachers have many years of experience in giving private lessons.
Who This Coaching Is For
Adult & Club Players
Rating-focused sessions covering opening repertoire, middlegame planning and endgame technique, helping you turn lesson ideas into real progress at the club or online.
Junior Players
A friendly, structured introduction to competitive chess that builds concentration, pattern recognition and resilience, at a pace that suits your child.
Session Format
- Typical lesson length: 60 minutes, tailored to the student’s age and focus areas
- Delivered online via Google Meet or Zoom, or in person by arrangement
- Available as 1-on-1 sessions, or as paired sibling/friend lessons
- Suitable for complete beginners through to tournament-level players
Chess Clubs for Schools
Chess clubs have become increasingly popular in schools. Not only is chess a fun game, but it provides for many educational benefits as it helps children develop their analytical and life skills.
Professional Teachers, Equipment and Trophies
UK Chess Coaching provides your school with everything you need to offer chess lessons for your students. Our professional chess coaches are experienced in both private and group lessons and know how to give each child individualised attention based on his or her needs. We provide chess lessons for players of any age and skill level. We provide all the equipment, certificates and trophies to conduct the lesson. We also offer information to the children who want to continue developing their chess skills outside of school.
All of our coaches are DBS checked whilst being experienced chess teachers.
Our School Chess Clubs are
Engaging
Interactive lessons take place on a large demonstration board to aid student understanding
Exciting
Weekly tournaments with prizes on offer for pupils that do well in each competition
Challenging
Pupils are paired against another pupil of similar ability, allowing for constant competitive games.
Tactical
With 3 points for a win and 1 for a draw, pupils are encouraged to play for the win rather than offering a draw against their friend
Lesson structure
Depending on the school, each lesson lasts between 45 and 60 minutes and has the following structure.
- Recap from last week's lesson
- Developing a new idea on a large chess demonstration board for 15 minutes.
- Pupils are then paired with each other in order to practice what they have learnt. The coach gives instructional advice during this period in order to check for understanding.
- A tournament is played, where pupils will score 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw and 0.5 for a loss. There is also a point for quiet behaviour as chess should be played quietly in order to assist concentration.
- At the conclusion of the school term, every child will receive a chess badge and certificate. The top 3 players will receive trophies to keep.
Looking to start a Chess Club at your school?
Our curriculum provides a solid foundation in chess for all skill levels, from beginners to competitive players, but at the same time, we aim to develop analytical, social and organisational skills for our children in the most fun way possible. If you are looking to start a chess club at your school, contact us here to learn more about our curriculum and teachers.
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What Our Students Have to Say
