Ollie Willson
Quick facts
Chess rating: 2150
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Started playing chess since: 8 years old
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Favourite chess player: Magnus Carlsen
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Fun facts: I was both the British U16 Chess Champion and the England Squad U16 Champion in the same year!
QA with me
Q: What inspired you to start coaching chess and how long have you been doing it?
Q: What is your proudest chess achievement or moment?
Q: How would you describe your coaching philosophy or teaching style?
Q: How do you tailor your coaching to fit the needs of different students?
Q: Can you share an example of how you've helped a student improve their game?
Q: Who is your favourite chess player and why?
A: I have been teaching chess for a decade, in which time I have tutored pupils of all abilities from around the globe. I most enjoy seeing each pupil improve and realise their potential in the game of chess.
A: My two proudest chess moments are winning the British U16 Championships and winning the prestigious Hastings Chess Club Championship.
A: I prioritise the enjoyment of the game through organic learning environments that enable pupils to find their passion for the vibrant game of chess.
A: I create personalised studies for each pupil to track their progress. Within this, I carefully create content for each pupil to suit their needs and aims best.
A: One memorable moment was helping a pupil to refine and improve their knowledge of fundamental King and Pawn endgames, before a tournament, through the use of fun mini-games. They then had their tournament where they won two of their games simply by using the principles we had covered; it was a great moment to see their tangible improvement: I was a very proud coach!
A: I especially love the chess games of Magnus Carlsen because of his ability to weave wins in otherwise quiet positions through his extensive knowledge of, and recognition in, the endgame.