Max I.
Private tutor in Sydney, Australia
Education
*Australian Chess Champion 2014-15 *International Master (2 GM Norms) *FIDE Trainer *ACF Rating 2553, FIDE Rating 2506
Experience
Chess Champion of Australia 2014 IM Max Illingworth - FIDE Trainer To become a Champion, you need a champion's help. Winner of the 2014 MCC Hjorth Open with 9/9 (playing seven players rated 2274-2402) I bring passion, energy and an individual approach to every chess lesson. Chess education and training for all ages and levels. Coach at the Australian Juniors and Junior Elite Training Squad (JETS) My chess coaching delivers results. You'll understand chess far more deeply through my clear explanations Learn how to make the most of your current ability and appreciate the beauty of the game I'll teach you the skills and knowledge to set you on your winning way with an organised improvement plan I'll help you develop practical competition skills, psychological self-management and a strong competitive approach. I can coach you over the internet, or face-to-face in Dee Why. ($50ph) ----- Make the best move for your chess future. If you are passionate about chess and determined to improve, I am the best coach for you. By the end of your first lesson with me, I guarantee that you will have a better direction of what you need to do to improve – because I care about your development as a player. I coach not just because I love chess more than anything else but also because I love sharing my passion and extensive knowledge and wisdom with enthusiasts like you and it brings me so much joy to interact with my students and see their chess develop over time. My coaching approach is individualised to your needs, and my feedback on your characteristics as a player (including strengths/weaknesses and how to improve them) through precise, accurate analysis of your games and training material will give you the direction you need to jump ahead in playing strength. I have an understanding and knowledge of chess beyond my rating and I will transfer some of this understanding to you through my clear explanations (which you can also find in my writing for New In Chess, ChessBase, Chess Publishing, Chess.com, 50 Moves Magazine, the Australasian Chess Magazine, and my blog). To prove this, I point to some of my results: I am the 2014-15 Australian Chess Champion, winner of the 2014 MCC Hjorth Open (9/9) and 2012 MCC Cup Weekender (8.5/9), two-time Australian Player of the Year (Steiner Medal for 2011 and 2012), three-time NSW State Champion (2011-2013), and finished in equal second in the 2013 Malaysian Open, scoring 7/9. I also scored 6.5/9 for Australia in the 2014 Chess Olympiad (also helping my teammates between rounds and organising pre-Olympiad training sessions) and won the 2014 September First Saturday GM round robin with 7/9, securing my second GM norm. What matters is not what you have done but what you can do now, and in this respect my writing accomplishments speak for themselves: I regularly contribute for New In Chess (which is, along with Quality Chess, the best chess publication company in the world), was published in the November 2013 Chess.com Master Bulletin with an exclusive opening article, and contributed articles for recent issues of ChessBase Magazine. I also write regular updates for ChessPublishing. My knowledge is not limited to the opening phase either; I have extensive knowledge of all the key facets of chess, including the competitive/psychological element, and continually update my knowledge of the theory behind chess coaching and pedagogics. My coaching practices are up-to-date and flexible to satisfy your particular needs. I will not only listen to what you have to say, but encourage you to share your thoughts and ideas and fully develop your own style and creativity. I will never be disappointed in you as a coachee, as to make a leap forward in your chess abilities you often have to take a step back and overcome many challenges. Even the most talented players hit plateaus that you must work hard to breach. I can assist you also in developing a competitive attitude and self-management that works for you, through my understanding of chess psychology based on my own experiences. A good attitude combines self-confidence with objectivity, and a drive to succeed with the pleasure of doing what you enjoy. In this respect my coaching doesn’t just improve your chess ability but also shows you how to make the most of that ability. While I prepare material for each lesson (whether it be puzzles, games, questions, or most often a synthesis of several methods), my lessons are also spontaneous in nature to address your queries, strengths and weaknesses, and I’m able to answer your questions and cover additional ideas without losing sight of the main ideas of the material. I believe in replicating the game conditions as much as possible during training to make you a warrior at the chess board, but will also guide you towards the solution for the more taxing problems I pose. I will bring out your best by pushing you to the edge of your comfort zone, giving you supplementary notes to study in your own time, and offering plenty of suggestions to make your work outside of lessons more effective. If you follow my advice and put the work in, you will definitely become a stronger player. The key to chess understanding is to quickly see what is the most important factor or idea in a position, but I also take the time to explain other less important factors in a position and why one positional advantage is more important than another (for example). I will explain the why as well as the how of chess to ensure that you are on the same wavelength as me. I like using practical endgames (both contemporary and old) to demonstrate what theory you need to know, how to develop good 'technique' in converting an advantage, and improve your overall chess understanding. By working as hard before, during and after lessons as I work in my regular tournament practice (where I have attained two Grandmaster norms), I will help you unleash your inner creative genius and deliver results. I stand on the shoulders of the excellent coaching I have received over the last thirteen years, plus my eleven years of experience as a chess coach (I started out coaching my fellow students in senior primary school). My highest ratings are a FIDE rating of 2493 (December 2014) and an ACF rating of 2522 (December 2014). I also won the 2012 Oceania Grand Prix. I have a feedback system in place to allow you to be constantly aware of your progression as a player, and through our mutual honesty, you will be able to achieve your personal best and your own definition of success. http://www.chesspublishing.com/content/7/index.htm is an example of my writing style. While my students have demonstrated rapid, lasting improvement in their play (some of them appearing on recent ‘Most Improved’ lists for national and state adult and/or junior rating lists), it is important that the coach and coachee establish a good rapport and connection. I suggest you read my interview at http://www.chesschat.org/showthread.php?5069-An-interview-Added-IM-Max-Illingworth/page42 to get a feel for what I’m like as a person. Certainly the testimonials below, not to mention the fact that the Most Improved Player on the latest NSWJCL Ratings is a student of mine (and two other students are among the Top 10 Most Improved Players), show that I deliver what I say I offer. If you’re ready to acquire the skills you need to achieve your full potential, book your first internet or over-the-board lesson with the best value for your money. www.illingworthchess.com
Availability
Any day at any time
Can Meet
Up to 5 minutes away at my regular hourly rate
Hobbies
Chess
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