I first started playing chess around the age of two with my father and older brother. At first I simply found it fun, but as I’ve grown older I’ve come to also love the way it challenges my mind to think many steps ahead and anticipate others’ choices. I’ve taken years of after-school chess classes and camps at Emerson School, and with the encouragement of the instructor I began to enter local and state-wide chess tournaments when I was about ten years old, and I won my category several times. My highest Chess.com rating is over 2000, and I have played and won against adults over four times my age!
Experience Teaching Chess
Eager to share my love for chess with others, during my eighth grade year at Emerson School I worked with a teacher to develop and offer a chess elective to 6th-8th graders. It was fun to see my peers get excited about new tactics and strategies! I also volunteered alongside an instructor in the after-school enrichment program to teach two chess classes to Kindergarten-2nd graders and 3rd-5th graders. I really enjoy working with every age level to foster their appreciation and understanding of chess!
I have been tutoring numerous students for over 3 years on a regular basis and love watching them improve both their play and their love of the game.
Services
I offer 30, 45, or 60 minute lessons to kids ages 5-15 who want to learn chess or improve their chess games! I tailor these lessons based on what each student wants to know, from the basics of how chess pieces move, to a variety of openings, middlegames, endgames, and more. Most of all, I want kids to have fun with chess, so I make sure to include plenty of time for playing games or figuring out chess puzzles. I am happy to meet either virtually or in-person at a local library, outdoors, or in another convenient location. Cost for chess lessons: $20 for 30 minutes; $30 for 45 minutes; $40 for 60 minutes.
(Travel outside Ann Arbor may incur additional fees.)
RECOMMENDATION
After School Chess
Instructor
Jake Dishman
To whom it may concern,
My name is Jake Dishman, and I am currently a teacher at Emerson School of Ann Arbor. I conducted an after school chess program for the final trimester of the 2021-22 school year which Oliver assisted. I can confirm that he is both an excellent chess player and teacher, and I wholeheartedly trust and recommend him as a chess tutor.
Oliver’s investment in chess is apparent each time we have co-taught. He is able to beat me regularly (which is always a good sport about). He is able to play games with students without looking at the board, saying out loud where to move his pieces. He is able to navigate multiple online resources, primarily Chess.com, and has demonstrated that he uses these resources to continue improving in his spare time. He is well versed with the vocabulary surrounding chess, and is overall the most well-versed chess player I’ve met.
In addition to his knowledge, Oliver is a very competent educator for his age. When deciding what to teach each lesson and how to pace the acquisition of new skills, Oliver regularly shared insight. He is patient with students, and gladly plays with any that ask to play him without bias. When I present a new tactic or pointer, I ask if he has anything to add, and each time he finds a way of extending the discussion. He speaks respectfully and with encouragement, and the students consistently give him their full attention. His command of the room is rock solid.
I recommend Oliver for his chess prowess as well as his competence in delivering information. I trust he will make for an excellent tutor. If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Jake Dishman
mrjdishman@gmail.com