Experienced chess teacher looking for students. 'Class A chess player with 10+ years of teaching experience with children and adults. 1 on 1 or in small groups.

Find out more about Matthew

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

  I started practising chess when I was about 5 years old. My father taught me and I played for my county's under-8, 11, 16, 18, and adult teams, so I suppose I never really stopped. I've always thought that practising and reviewing chess is more important than overtly studying it and there were many chess players over the years who helped me out by going through my games and giving me ideas. I hope to replicate that in my teaching.

• Which artists or works affect you the most?

  I like chess players who aren't afraid to play exciting games of chess. like Richard Rapport. He doesn't win all the time, but he plays exciting games and I think that matters a lot. I also like some not-famous players, like a guy called Tom in our club who was never that strong but played all this life and had quite a bag of tricks!

• What are the qualities and skill required to succeed in this area?

  Diligence and patience help a lot in chess. A lot of the game is just teaching yourself not to react instantly and play moves without thinking. I think that creativity and psychology also play a rather underrated role.

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

  I think that celebrating small goals is a good way to stay focused on a project. Give yourself some small targets and celebrate them when you achieve them.

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

  I'm not quite sure that I would use the word 'passion' in many ways chess players must be dispassionate in their games. I think that chess has given me a lifetime of creativity, deep thought, and concentration. It's also let me meet a lot of really great people across the world.

• What creative achievements are you particularly proud of?

  I was once the best OK chess player in the UK. I won the UK 'class C' championship, so I was the finest acceptable chess player in the land. It's always hard to win any competition, so I was proud of that.

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

  Absolutely. I am teaching 7-year-old chess at the moment and she'd made incredible process in four days of classes. Sometimes, children just seem to grasp a concept really quickly and this kid has blown through a month of my classes in a week.

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

  I think that all students are different and that they have different needs. I try to listen to what a student needs and then plan accordingly. I also think that classes should be fun and relaxing. No one wants to dread turning up to a chess class, so I teach relaxing classes that are tailored specifically to my students.