Arman S.

Chess Teacher

New York City

• I bring in stickers for students
• I take two breaks in every class to help students decompress
• Loud students, are not bad students, they're excited. And it's my job to target that excitement into chess.

I’m a chess teacher with 3–4 years of hands-on experience working primarily with beginners, from preschoolers just learning how the pieces move to middle-schoolers building their first opening ideas. I’ve taught students ages 3 to 14 in after-school clubs, camps, and small group lessons. My approach is patient, upbeat, and structured. I break big ideas into small, clear steps, then reinforce them with quick mini-games, puzzles, and plenty of guided play. Kids learn best when they feel safe and seen, so I set simple classroom norms, model good sportsmanship, and celebrate effort as much as results. I have experience teaching students with special needs and I adapt my lessons to fit different learning styles. That might mean using more visuals, offering movement or sensory breaks, simplifying the board setup, or giving shorter, repeatable tasks. Patience helps me teach better. It gives students room to try, make mistakes, and try again without stress. I keep directions short, check for understanding, and give feedback in real time so every child leaves each session with a small win. Lesson goals include piece movement, basic tactics like forks and pins, common checkmate patterns, and simple endgames. As students grow, we add opening principles, calculation habits, and how to review a game without blame. I also teach clock use, notation, and tournament etiquette when families want to explore events. Parents receive clear updates about what we covered and what to practice next. I bring all needed materials and can adjust for groups of different sizes. Above all, I want students to connect with the game, feel proud of their progress, and carry that confidence into school and life. Chess teaches focus, patience, and planning. My job is to make those skills feel fun and reachable for every learner.