Background

I’ve been teaching chess since 1972: you can find out more about my story here.

Over the years I gradually came to realise two things which made me think long and hard about the way we’re promoting and organising children’s chess here in the UK.

1. Chess saved my life, but today children like me no longer take an interest in chess.
2. Without chess I would undoubtedly have had mental health problems, but today chess is being used by some parents as part of a lifestyle which may not be good for their children’s future mental health.

My view is that regional and national chess organisers should be proactive in promoting a very different approach to chess for children and young people.

This site explains how that might happen, and provides information and coaching materials for anyone wanting to promote chess for social reasons, and to provide young people with what might become a lifelong hobby.