Hi I’m Sarah and I teach chess
Having climbed the chess ladder myself from a young age I have an excellent knowledge of how to succeed at chess and a real passion for teaching!
I have played competitive chess since the age of 7 when I became UK U7 Girls Chess Champion and appeared on Blue Peter where I met the then world champion Garry Kasparov. Since then I have represented England in many international competitions and in 2013 won the British Ladies Championship.
But it is my students that I am most proud of. I currently coach several members of the England international junior team and my students have won World, European and National championships.
I am currently focusing on growing a junior chess program in Cheshire. My team currently run chess clubs in a number of primary schools across Cheshire as well as Cheshire Junior Knights and we would love to hear from teachers and parents who are interested in their children learning this fantastic game.
School Chess Clubs
Private Coaching
We run a number of breakfast, lunch-time and after school clubs in Cheshire. We cater for all levels from beginner through to experienced tournament player. Focusing on enjoyment of the game, we take each child on a journey to learn, play and achieve. Combining the best classroom and online resources we deliver an enjoyable and impactful learning experience for each child. To find out if we run a club at your school or to enquire about setting a club up at your school please click below to find out more!
I offer private coaching to juniors either in person at my home or via skype. I currently coach several members of the England international team but I also enjoy working with beginners and those who are looking to develop a passion for the game. During a coaching engagement I will work closely with you as a parent to help you create the right conditions for your child’s success – whether that is to become school champion, represent their country or even to become a professional master player. Click below to find out more!
UK Chess Challenge
Cheshire Junior Knights
The Delancey UK Chess Challenge is the UK’s largest chess competition and is suitable for all players aged 5-18 who know the general rules. The event has ran each year since 1996 and the finals are currently held at Blenheim Palace. However before then players must navigate the Megafinal and Gigafinal stages!
Our new junior chess club based at Cheadle Village Hall, Mondays 5.15 – 7.00pm. For intermediate/advanced players to get access to training games and rated tournament games, make friends, solve puzzles and have fun !
I have represented England at the World and European Chess Championships since the age of 10 and now I represent England at the Adult Chess Olympiads. My most notable performance for England was when I scored 7.5/9 and was unbeaten at the 2010 Chess Olympiads in Khanty-Mansiysk, Siberia. In October 2019, I represented the English Ladies Team in the European Championships in Georgia.
Once I finished law school I became British Ladies Chess Champion 2013. I started to teach chess in local schools and decided I wanted to do that full time rather than work in law. In 2016 I took over the management of the UK Chess Challenge (the UK’s largest chess competition).
I have over 15 years coaching experience and have coached the England Junior Team at the European Schools Chess Championships in Prague 2012 and Serbia 2013 and at the World Championships in November 2015. As well as running after-school clubs around Cheshire I currently manage the UK Chess Challenge and the UK Junior Chess Academy – a training programme for junior talents with several members in the current England and Scottish junior squads.
I live in Cheshire with my husband, Alex Longson who is a very strong chess player and our two young children Isabelle and Tobias.
Why should you learn to play Chess?
Improve concentration & memory
Achieve Critical thinking skills & cognitive function
Build your confidence & make new friends
Compete... Win trophies & awards
Travel the world and gain experiences
Learn healthy competitiveness
Boost your CV and develop a more analytical mind
And most importantly... Have lots of fun
Why not contact me to find out more?!
Sometimes speaking, whether face-to-face or over the phone can be the perfect way to reveal if Chess is the thing for you. Just click the button to the right….
My Qualifications & Experiences.
I am qualified as a Women’s FIDE Chess Master & English Chess Federation Accredited Coach. CRB Checked, and have a BSc in Chemistry and Law. (University of Bristol: 2:1). Legal Practice Course: Achieved a Distinction. References are always available upon request.
Coached the England Junior Chess Team at the European Championships in Prague 2012 & Serbia 2013. Coached the England Team at the World Championships 2015. Official English Chess Federation Coach. Privately coached World, European and National champions. 15+ years experience in the field.
Watch me in action.
With the World Champion – Magnus Carlsen (Baku 2016)
Books and Links.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin To become great at chess- it requires hard work! “Chess demands total concentration” – Bobby Fischer – 11th World Chess Champion “Chess is imagination” – David Bronstein – Soviet Chess Grandmaster
Recommended Books: Beginners: Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess – Fischer & Margulies Checkmate for Children – Stark Chess for Children – Chandler How to Beat Your Dad at Chess – Chandler
Recommended Websites: www.chesskid.com – there is an excellent introductory video on how to play chess. www.lichess.org – for games and puzzles. www.chess.com – for playing and training videos. http://englishchess.org.uk/Juniors/ – links to English Chess Federation Junior Section www.englishchess.org.uk/event-calendar/ – information on tournaments and competitions.
So what do you think… Want to learn?
Teaching will begin with how the pieces move, progress to making pupils ready for external competitions, the England Junior team and beyond….