Chess coach for beginner and intermediate players, with a focus on tactical and dynamic play

Find out more about Keith

• 1) When did you start practicing? How did this passion find you?

  I started teaching mathematics right after I finished school, but it really kicked off when I finished my University degree. In regards to how it found me, I sort of stumbled into it, I put up an ad with the intention of maybe getting a few students during the period I was looking for a job, then one thing led to another and I ended up with my schedule overflowing with classes, then I realised it was the job I was looking for after all.

• 2) Which artists or works affect you the most?

  I love to study and play Chess, I really enjoy the instructional content of Simon Williams, Daniel Naroditsky and Marc Esserman. I'm also a fan of Stephen King books.

• 3) What are the qualities and skills required to succeed in this area?

  I think it's obviously important to be well versed in your subject matter, but I think what's most important is the ability to adapt to each student and ensure that the classes are engaging for them. This can be completely different from one student to another and I think a critical skill is to be able to adapt your teaching style according to what the student needs.

• 4) What is the most valuable advice you can give to help someone stay focused on creative projects?

  Perfectionism will hold you back, forget it and just do your thing, perfection will come with time.

• 5) How would you describe your passion; how does it make you feel?

  I tend to have a lot of interests and hobbies, so it's tricky to pinpoint one passion, but something I am very passionate about is Chess. It's difficult to put the feeling into words, so instead, I recommend you watch "Oddly satisfying" videos on youtube. The feeling of satisfaction you'll likely recognise when watching those videos is comparable to how I feel when playing Chess.

• 6) What creative achievements are you particularly proud of?

  About a year ago I took to Leather crafting, a slightly unusual hobby and not the sort of thing I'd usually be into. Since starting, I've now got to the point that I can make some really good quality items and accessories!

• 7) Have you ever been surprised by a student; by their ability or quick progression?

  Absolutely, it's not uncommon that a student just has a bit of a mental block that they need to get past, once they manage to break that down, the flood gates are open and the progression can be rapid.

• 8) Being a Superprof is an art! What is your secret?

  I'm not afraid to have some fun in my classes, I'll crack terrible jokes throughout and hopefully the occasional good one. I think this really helps to lighten the mood, which ultimately allows for the perfect learning environment. I believe it also engages my students a lot more, instead of thinking they have some boring Maths class coming up, I want them to feel excited about the class, and delivering the content in a playful way can be a fantastic way to foster that excitement.