NM Samuel Song

Sam is a highly results-driven and self-motivated chess competitor who has been playing since he was 5 years old. He is a 3-time national chess champion, the founder of Sam Chess Club, and has represented Canada as the official player at numerous international chess events (e.g., U-18 WYCC 2015, U-16 Olympiad 2016, U-20 NAYCC 2016). For the past 10+ years, Sam has actively taught chess to students of all levels, working with over 100 young players across Canada and the globe—80% of whom have won district championships, and 40% have won provincials or qualified for nationals. Due to his accomplishments, Sam has been interviewed by Maclean’s Magazine, CBC, Global News, and Rogers News.

I accept students based less on rating and more on the commitment and goals you share in your message. If you are interested in lessons, please send me a direct message with details about your current level, what you hope to achieve, and how much time you can dedicate to self-study.

• 3-time Canadian Chess Challenge National Champion (2015, 2016, 2018)
• Represented Canada internationally:
- Official U-18 player at the 2015 World Youth & Cadets Chess Championship in Greece
- Official U-16 player at the 2016 World Youth Chess Olympiad in Slovakia
- Official U-20 player at the North American Youth Chess Championship
• Awarded the official National Master title from both the Chess Federation of Canada and the U.S. Chess Federation in 2016 (age 16)
• 8-time Provincial and Maritime Champion (2011–2018)
• Began playing chess at the age of 5, with 20+ years of professional experience

• Started teaching in 2011 and has 13+ years of professional coaching experience
• Taught over 100 youths across Canada, with 80% winning district championships and 40% winning provincials or qualifying for nationals
• Interviewed by Maclean’s Magazine, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (C.B.C.), Global News, and Rogers TV
- Maclean’s: www.macleans.ca/news/canada/chess-champion-plays-blindfolded/
- C.B.C.: www.cbc.ca/player/play/2670749641
- Global News: globalnews.ca/video/2040462/chess-star-gives-back

President, New Brunswick Chess Association (2015 - 2018)
• Led an executive team of 10+ members and organized 20+ provincial and Maritime-level chess tournaments and events in NB
• Collaborated with the Nova Scotia and P.E.I. Chess Associations to initiate a youth chess program in Atlantic Canada
• Achieved an average 10% increase in player participation at subsequent events while reducing event expenses by 30%

Opening Repertoire Preparation:
With my 20+ years of experience playing chess, I have come to master a wide range of openings. Under my guidance, you will be able to not only expand your repertoire but also identify and master the strongest variations and lines that align with your playing style. By mixing theory with in-game examples and practice, you will learn to anticipate your opponent's plans and start each game with an advantage.

Advanced Positional Analysis:
One of the key features of my chess lessons is the emphasis I put on middle-game. Here, your goal will be to evaluate your own position with precision and continuously enhance overall board control. By giving you all the keys to analyzing positions and games accurately, I will help you capitalize on your opponent's mistakes and orient the game according to your own plan.

Comprehensive Endgame Theories:
Once you have gained a solid edge in the opening and middlegame, you will learn to seal the deal in the endgame. Even small details—like an extra pawn or a more active king—can make all the difference between victory and defeat. We will explore key concepts such as king opposition, zugzwang, and fortress-breaking, so you will know precisely when to push for promotion or launch decisive tactics. By polishing these essential endgame skills, you will be able convert promising positions into wins.

Strong Game Analysis and Feedback:
Whether you prefer classical, rapid, blitz, bullet, or Chess 960, my comprehensive knowledge of each format allows me to pinpoint and correct weaknesses and imprecisions in your play. Together, we will ensure that you are primed to reach your target rating or face a specific opponent in a tournament, so you are always ready to showcase your best chess.

With over 13 years of coaching experience, I enjoy working with players of all ages and levels, both online and in person.

I tailor each student’s training to their specific goals—no two learners are alike. Because we stop only when we’ve met our objectives for the session, lessons can sometimes run longer than the scheduled hour. Since I currently only coach 5 students at a time, if you find yourself on my waitlist or I do not reply immediately, please know I would gladly teach 40 hours a week if I could, but I will not sacrifice quality by overextending myself.

Each session concludes with targeted assignments that reinforce new strategies. We begin the next lesson by reviewing homework and answering any questions you may have. Upon request, I also provide lessons focused on tournament preparation and training games.

I accept students based less on rating and more on the commitment and goals you share in your message. If you are interested in lessons, please send me a direct message with details about your current level, what you hope to achieve, and how much time you can dedicate to self-study.