Psychologist and Chess Coach Helping Kids to Build Focus, Strategy, and Confidence.

HiI'm Shivangi Singh, I’m a Senior National Arbiter, Chess Coach, and Psychologist. I’ve been teaching chess to children aged 5 to 14 for over five years, and it has truly become one of my biggest passions. What I love most about teaching is watching how chess helps children grow — not just as players, but as thinkers and individuals. With my background in psychology, I try to understand each child’s unique learning style and personality. This helps me make my session's more engaging and comfortable for them. I believe chess is much more than a board game; it teaches focus, patience, problem-solving, and how to think ahead — skills that help children both on and off the board. For me, the classroom is a space filled with curiosity, laughter, and learning. I aim to make every lesson a balance of fun and challenge, so that children not only learn strategies but also develop confidence, discipline, and a love for the game. My goal is to inspire them to enjoy the process of learning and to believe in their own potential.

Teaching Style My classes are designed to be interactive, creative, and fun. I use platforms like Lichess and Chess.com to provide a hands-on learning experience where students can play, analyze, and practice in real time. Lessons often include puzzles, real-game examples, and guided practice sessions that help students understand both tactical and strategic aspects of the game. I place strong emphasis on building a solid foundation—understanding piece activity, control of the center, development, and king safety—before moving into complex strategies. At the same time, I encourage students to explore their own playing style, experiment with openings, and learn from their mistakes. Because of my psychology background, I focus not just on teaching moves, but on developing a student’s mindset. I help them learn how to stay calm during tough games, handle losses with resilience, and use each experience as a stepping stone for growth. My approach ensures that students don’t just become better chess players—they become more focused and confident individuals. Class Structure Every session follows a simple yet effective structure to maintain balance between learning and enjoyment: Warm-Up: We begin with quick puzzles or mini-games to activate focus and recall previous lessons. Concept Discussion: I introduce the main topic of the day—such as an opening principle, tactic, or endgame idea—explained clearly and practically. Practice & Feedback: Students then play guided practice games or analyze positions, and I provide personalized feedback to reinforce understanding.