Information About Geoff - Solihull teacher

Personal Description:

Hi, I'm a qualified teacher and offer friendly and knowledgeable chess coaching. I offer online coaching using Zoom. I am an IM and have been ranked in the top-20 UK players. I also finished equal 3rd in the British RapidPlay 1986, and have scored 7/11 several times in the British Chess Championship. I won the strong Peterborough 1986 weekend event ahead of (now) GMs Hebden, Plaskett, Gallagher and Davies, and represented England in the Glorney Cup.

Teaching Experience:

I have a PGCE, and have taught at primary, junior and secondary level. I've coached chess for 30 years, including 10 years with the Checkmate Junior Club in Birmingham.

Teaching Approach:

I have a friendly approach, and aim to give the student a firm foundation in chess skill. I try to achieve this by explaining the basics well - ie patterns in tactics and in long term strategy. I also believe that endgame knowledge is key to being a strong player, in my opinion this is what separates players more than anything else. These patterns are best learnt by looking at the students' games, so we will spend time doing that…