Professional Online Chess Coach | Trainer at International Master's Chess Academy | 10+ Yrs Experience | Fun Learning for Kids | 100+ Students Worldwide

Find out more about Abhishek

• Tell us more about your subject. How did you develop an interest in this field?

  Chess has been a part of my life since childhood. I grew up playing it at home and in school, fascinated by how a simple 8×8 board could hold endless possibilities. I was in awe when I learned that there are more possible chess positions than there are atoms in the visible universe. To put that into perspective there are around 10^88 estimated numbers of atoms in the visible universe. And the number of chess positions has been predicted to be around 10^120. Wow! Breathtaking, isn’t it?
  
  Until a few years back I was working in the corporate sector with MNCs like Uber. Even then I continued teaching chess part-time — it was the part of my day that felt the most meaningful.
  
  After almost a decade of coaching alongside my job, I finally chose to follow my passion and moved into teaching chess full-time. Over the years, I’ve studied classics like My System (Nimzowitsch), Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess, Your First Move by Alexei Sokolsky and Kasparov’s Deep Thinking, which shaped the way I see the game — not just as a sport, but as a way of structuring thought.
  
  Today, I coach students across the UK, France, Canada, Malaysia, the US, and India, helping them build not only chess skills but also sharper thinking and confidence.

• What or who is the motivation behind you choosing to teach & why?

  My biggest motivation for teaching is the transformation I see in students. A student who begins unsure, distracted, or overwhelmed slowly becomes calmer, sharper, more confident — all because they learn how to think differently.
  
  It’s so heart-warming when the parents call up and thank me for helping build their kid’s confidence, when grown-ups share how taking chess classes has helped them learn to stay calm during pressure situations at the office or in chaos.
  
  I also genuinely enjoy teaching because it keeps me growing. Every student asks different questions and thinks differently. Their curiosity pushes me to refine my methods and stay connected with the evolving world of chess.

• How does your work help society?

  Chess creates thinkers. And today, more than ever, society needs people who have absolute clarity of thoughts.
  
  We live in a world full of noise — constant notifications, endless opinions, and decisions made in rush. Chess teaches the opposite. It teaches you to pause, evaluate, question, and plan. It develops the ability to look beyond the immediate temptation and understand consequences — something our fast-paced world often forgets.
  
  Imagine a society full of people who think deeply, anticipate outcomes, and stay emotionally balanced. If even a handful of my students grow into thoughtful adults who make better choices, manage their emotions well, and help build a better world, then I believe I’ve contributed something valuable.
  
  Chess strengthens individuals, and individuals shape society. Teaching this game is my way of helping build a generation that can think — not just react.

• If you had to think of a role model for your work, who do you think of & why?

  Two legends shaped my love for chess: Viswanathan Anand and Garry Kasparov.
  
  Growing up in India, Vishy Anand wasn’t just a world champion — he was an icon who inspired an entire generation to believe that an Indian kid could make a career in chess. I still remember staying awake late into the night as a child, following Vishy’s world championship games. His calm, classical style and humility made him a hero for me.
  
  Again, Kasparov inspired me in a different way. His battle against IBM’s supercomputer in the 90s wasn’t just a match — it was humanity testing itself against the future. Kasparov’s book Deep Thinking captures this beautifully. Back then, no one knew what AI would become, and that match felt like the world was watching history unfold. Today, engines like Stockfish have changed chess forever, but Kasparov’s courage and willingness to push boundaries still inspire me as a coach.
  
  Together, Anand and Kasparov represent two sides of chess: grace and fire, tradition and innovation. Their journeys continue to influence the way I teach and the values I pass on to my students.

• Tell us about your hobbies outside teaching.

  Beyond chess, I enjoy reading, playing the piano, exploring music, and discovering new ideas that make me a better teacher and thinker. These hobbies help me stay creative and give me analogies I often use during lessons.

• Do you have an anecdote to tell us about your student or professional life?

  Oh certainly. Chess coaching has given me some of the funniest and heart-warming moments, especially with the kids. I love the sheer optimism and simplicity with which they answer.
  
  Once, a student blundered his queen in record time. I gently asked, “Why the early queen donation?”
  With absolute confidence he replied,
  “Coach, it’s called misdirection. Now my opponent won’t know what I’m doing.”
  And I told him, “Trust me, at this point none of us know what you’re doing.”
  We both laughed and then analysed how to not surprise ourselves during games.
  
  Another day, a kid from Canada lost almost all her pieces but stayed unusually calm. When I asked how she was so relaxed, she said,
  “Coach, minimalism is a lifestyle.”
  Apparently, she applied Marie Kondo to chess — only keep the pieces that spark joy!
  
  Moments like these remind me why I love coaching. My role isn’t just to teach openings and tactics — it’s to turn all this quirky creativity into actual strategic thinking. And honestly, with these blunders, breakthroughs, and brilliant one-liners, my students keep me entertained and inspired every single day.