Meet Our
Team
Learn more about your chess wizards and experts
Our Leadership Team
As a qualified teacher with a passion for education and Chess, Julian founded LearnChess Academy with a strong vision — to make chess accessible to every child with professional training and guidance from skilled experts. Recognising the challenge schools face in finding trained chess instructors, he created LearnChess Academy to bridge the gap and bring expert chess coaching to more young minds and pump fresh life into chess as a sport by developing the next generation of chess players.
Accomplishments
Top 10% Ranking, 4th place at Shropshire County Chess Championship, Chess Captain – John Lyon School.
James discovered chess at the age of eight, introduced by his father but it wasn’t until a few years later, guided by more experienced relatives and a high-level teacher, that the game truly clicked. A humbling blindfold match against his teacher sparked a lifelong passion for mastering the board. Drawn to the creativity, patterns, and deep strategy of chess, James has played competitively for over 40 years. Today, he shares this love through LearnChess Academy, using chess as a tool for growth in both life and learning.
Accomplishments
Top 7% Ranking, 10x Club Champion, Winner Hastings Major International Chess Congress.
Maxi began his chess journey aged 7 at a local chess club in Argentina. Initially, he struggled to grasp the intricacies of chess, turning his attention elsewhere. However, rediscovering chess 12 years later sparked a deep passion, leading him to dedicate countless hours to studying the game. Maxi joined LearnChess Academy in 2015, inspired by chess's ability to teach self-accountability, critical thinking, and the impact of deliberate decisions—skills he proudly imparts to his students.
Accomplishments
Top 2.5% Ranking, Maxi’s greatest accomplishment is seeing students excel in life through the lessons learned from chess.
With nearly 10 years at LearnChess Academy, Keryn is the friendly face behind the scenes, coordinating everything from schedules to school communication. Drawing on her background in people-focused roles at John Lewis and The Leading Hotels of the World, she loves working closely with parents, coaches, and schools. Keryn finds it incredibly rewarding to help create an environment where children are supported to be able to develop critical thinking and life skills.
Our Lead Coaching Team
Mark discovered his passion for chess through LearnChess Academy's online lessons during lockdown with LearnChess Academy’s Operations Director. Inspired by his own positive Chess experience, Mark now enthusiastically coaches young players, viewing teaching as his way to give back to the chess community. His engaging approach helps students develop a lifelong appreciation for chess, fostering both strategic thinking and enjoyment of the game.
Accomplishments
Mid Club Level Ranking.
Andrew learned chess at home during a time when families regularly gathered for evening games. Quickly captivated by Chess, Andrew became his school’s chess captain and later competed for several county teams. He appreciates the complexity and creativity that chess offers, particularly the importance of planning ahead. Andrew finds joy in guiding students at LearnChess Academy, witnessing their delight when they truly grasp the game.
Accomplishments
Top 10% Ranking, County Finals Appearance.
Alan has enjoyed chess for as long as he can remember. From his early days as a primary school champion and regional team member, to his current role as a club and county captain, achieving numerous tournament victories along the way. Alan thrives on dynamic and exciting chess, eager to share the thrill and strategic depth of the game with new players. He believes chess should always be a spirited battle of ideas followed by a handshake, a smile, and the anticipation of the next challenge.
Accomplishments
Top 10% Ranking, Multiple County Final Appearances.
Navi’s passion for chess ignited at the age of 7, inspired by the captivating blend of strategy and technology. His early experiences in India laid the foundation for a lifelong journey in chess, crowned by resilience and determination. Navi’s enthusiasm deepened as he became a school and FIDE Arena Candidate Master. Passionate about coaching, he believes deeply in chess being a powerful tool to nurture many cognitive skills in his students.
Accomplishments
Top 10% Ranking, Participant on BBC’s Chess Masters: The End Game Season 1.
Joseph Ojemuyiwa is a passionate chess coach with over three years of teaching experience, guiding students aged 4 to 81 across classrooms, offices, homes, and online platforms. As a professional fine-artist and mathematics enthusiast, he uniquely blends creative and critical thinking into his coaching style, encouraging students to embrace and learn from both victories and setbacks.
Accomplishments
Top 8% Ranking, 1st Place Maidstone Rapid Chess Championship 2023.
Will is driven by the rewarding moment when students grasp a new concept and visibly improve their chess skills using it. Joining LearnChess Academy allowed him to share his passion and knowledge, nurturing the next generation of players and contributing to the growth of the chess community. Among Will's most memorable experiences is competing against his student Jayden in the Southend Tournament, witnessing firsthand the remarkable progress of his pupils.
Accomplishments
Top 10% Ranking, 1st place Kensington Rapid Tournament, Represented Kent.
Our Coaching Team
Louie found a natural home at LearnChess Academy, where he now shares his passion for the game with new players. His goal as a coach is to inspire the same enjoyment and excitement he experiences every time he plays. A dedicated competitor, Louie and his chess club reached the top of a competitive league in their very first season, regularly taking on expert- and master-level opponents.
Accomplishments
Top 7% Ranking, Winner of Blitz Tournament Medway Chess Club.
Dominik began coaching after a remarkable personal chess journey, transforming from a 750-rated junior player to achieving peak ratings nationally and internationally in just three years. His rapid improvement helps him deeply understand students' struggles, making him a relatable and inspiring young coach for new and existing players.
Accomplishments
Top 7% Ranking, 4th place British Junior U16 Championship 2024, Represented Team England B at the 2024 Glorney Cup.
Andrejs began his chess journey in 2020 during a period of global isolation. Drawing from his experiences as a new player, Andrejs really understands the challenges beginners face. Now ranked among the top 85 juniors in England, Andrejs passionately coaches chess, aiming to ignite in others the same love and passion for the game that transformed his own life.
Accomplishments
Top 3.5% Ranking, 1st Place East Kent U18’s Megafinal 2024, Rudaga Kaissa 2024, 3rd Place Hastings Congress NY U2050.
Now retired after a varied career in the police, children’s social services, and the NHS, Jedda is passionate about sharing chess within her community. She runs a chess club at her local prison and serves as a safeguarding officer. Jedda is especially committed to encouraging children and females to embrace the game, believing chess fosters problem-solving skills and community spirit. She combines her professional experience with a lifelong love of chess, aiming to make the game accessible, safe, and welcoming for everyone.
Accomplishments
Mid Club Level Ranking.
Our Assistant Coaching Team
Rob’s love for chess began in primary school, where he even founded a club, charging his friends a sweet-filled 'membership fee.' That childhood passion ultimately led him to coaching at LearnChess Academy where Rob delights in seeing students grow in confidence, enhance their thinking skills, and celebrate exciting victories. His most memorable chess moment? While backpacking in Thailand, Rob drew a crowd as he handed a previously undefeated local his very first loss!
Accomplishments
Standard Club Level Ranking.
Jaleel is a passionate chess coach who firmly believes that chess teaches children invaluable life skills beyond the board, particularly problem-solving and strategic thinking. Inspired by years of teaching in schools and observing chess’s transformative impact on young students, he joined LearnChess Academy to continue this meaningful work. Jaleel recently surpassed his own expectations by achieving a rapid rating of 1500 nine months ahead of schedule and is now targeting 1600.
Accomplishments
Mid Club Level Ranking.
Tony has been passionate about chess since childhood, inspired by his grandfather who first taught him the game. Now a dedicated coach at LearnChess Academy, Tony finds great fulfillment in helping students of all levels enhance their skills and gain confidence at the chessboard. He strongly believes in making chess fun, engaging, and accessible for everyone.
Accomplishments
Standard Club Level Ranking, 2nd place Nationally in the Under-18 category, 1st Place Inter-University Championship.
Petko started his chess journey at the age of 7, quickly developing a passion fuelled by a friendly rivalry with a teammate at his school chess club. His dedication earned him numerous tournament wins, recognition as school champion, and frequent appearances in local newspapers. Moving to England at age 11, Petko joined LearnChess Academy, inspired by the passionate teaching of James, Max, and Julian, and decided to pursue coaching himself.
Accomplishments
Top 10% Ranking.
Alfie taught himself chess at the age of 7 and quickly developed a love for the game. After regularly beating his dad and brother, he joined a junior chess club to find new challengers and hone his skills. Since then, Alfie has competed in both online and in-person tournaments, achieving several top 5 finishes. Now a member of Swale Adult Chess Club, he also coaches juniors, sharing his passion for strategy and the thrill of chess with the next generation.
Accomplishments
Mid Club Level Ranking.
Michael has enjoyed playing chess from a young age, and his passion for the game inspired him to teach others. He joined LearnChess Academy drawn by its friendly atmosphere and supportive community of coaches, who have been instrumental in his growth as both player and instructor. Michael takes great pride in helping new players discover the joy and strategic depth of chess. His proudest chess achievement so far has been winning two consecutive LearnChess Academy tournaments.
Accomplishments
Top 10%, 3x School Champion.
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