My name is Chris Briscoe, I am 50 years old, and have played chess since I was 9 - soon joining Richmond Junior Chess Club - then the best junior club in the land, though in those days, I just saw it as a local junior chess club! I became good being their U11 champion one year. Gave up chess during secondary school (only playing it very occasionally) before returning to it during my 'A' levels!
Started teaching professionally in 2002, and have been doing that ever since!
Got married on World Cup Final day in 2018 in Brighton, and because England almost made the final, we got featured on the National news (BBC South East) just before England played their semi-final match Vs Croatia, losing 1 - 2. Bad for England, but good for Jo and me!
She runs the Surbiton Junior Chess club on-line with me!
CM Christopher Briscoe
Enjoying chess is the key to inspiration - I can help your study to be fun!
| Location |  United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Languages | English (US) |
| Rating | FIDE: 2192221222092122 |
| Hourly rate | £40 per hour, or £25 per half-hour |
| Availability | Accepting students |
| Active |
About me
Playing experience
I am a National Master (in the UK), as well as being a Candidate Master.
My fide is currently 2192, though I have been as high as 2270!
I have played in the British Championships a few times before (I won game of the round once - I won Vs an I.M!), and have been Surrey Champion (a County in the UK)!
When improving from around 2100 to nearly 2300, I had many games published in national chess magazines which was an experience in itself. The majority of that happened between 2007 and 2011, before travelling became a main passion of mine!
Currently, during August, I have been playing in 'Titled Tuesday' on chessdotcom scoring, 4.5, 5, 3.5 and 4.5/11 respectively. A very strong tournament. However as Surbiton are now meeting over the board on Tuesdays, I will have to wait to compete in that again!
My fide is currently 2192, though I have been as high as 2270!
I have played in the British Championships a few times before (I won game of the round once - I won Vs an I.M!), and have been Surrey Champion (a County in the UK)!
When improving from around 2100 to nearly 2300, I had many games published in national chess magazines which was an experience in itself. The majority of that happened between 2007 and 2011, before travelling became a main passion of mine!
Currently, during August, I have been playing in 'Titled Tuesday' on chessdotcom scoring, 4.5, 5, 3.5 and 4.5/11 respectively. A very strong tournament. However as Surbiton are now meeting over the board on Tuesdays, I will have to wait to compete in that again!
Teaching experience
I have been teaching chess professionally for 20 years in schools, as well as running a local junior club over the board since 2004.
In 2005-6, I coached Yang Fan Zhou to the World U10 championships - he was the only person chosen from the UK. Since then he became an I.M, and almost made it to G.M level!
I have had juniors results published in the local press, and have run an EPSCA (English Primary Schools Chess Association) team - Kingston - together with the late Richard Davey (from Ashtead CC)
Since lockdown, in March 2020, I have run my local junior chess club on-line (Surbiton), and we have played both junior and International opposition with success.
Indeed we even won the Worldwide U12s back in March of this year (2021)!
Also this year, I started up a 'Surbiton Junior Invitational Team Battle' comprising 4 divisions of 10 teams each spanning clubs from all across the British Isles to compete in.
In 2005-6, I coached Yang Fan Zhou to the World U10 championships - he was the only person chosen from the UK. Since then he became an I.M, and almost made it to G.M level!
I have had juniors results published in the local press, and have run an EPSCA (English Primary Schools Chess Association) team - Kingston - together with the late Richard Davey (from Ashtead CC)
Since lockdown, in March 2020, I have run my local junior chess club on-line (Surbiton), and we have played both junior and International opposition with success.
Indeed we even won the Worldwide U12s back in March of this year (2021)!
Also this year, I started up a 'Surbiton Junior Invitational Team Battle' comprising 4 divisions of 10 teams each spanning clubs from all across the British Isles to compete in.
Other experiences
I like travelling, exploring new and unusual places.
For instance, back in 2013, I went to the other side of the world to Guam (a US protectorate), and played in an international tournament there - finishing 2nd. A tournament that was covered extensively by the local press out there! I stayed on for 3 more days to explore the island!
Finally, during 2009 - 2015, I embarked on a 6 years project detailing the entire history of my local football team where I was official club historian publishing 10 pages of history for each season of our existence (since 1892!). With 25 home programmes per season - this took 5 years!! It is something I had always wanted to do, and did!
Since 2015, I have been in a relationship, getting married in 2018, and my wife now helps me run the Surbiton Junior Chess Club!
I believe that doing quirky things is an education in itself!
For instance, back in 2013, I went to the other side of the world to Guam (a US protectorate), and played in an international tournament there - finishing 2nd. A tournament that was covered extensively by the local press out there! I stayed on for 3 more days to explore the island!
Finally, during 2009 - 2015, I embarked on a 6 years project detailing the entire history of my local football team where I was official club historian publishing 10 pages of history for each season of our existence (since 1892!). With 25 home programmes per season - this took 5 years!! It is something I had always wanted to do, and did!
Since 2015, I have been in a relationship, getting married in 2018, and my wife now helps me run the Surbiton Junior Chess Club!
I believe that doing quirky things is an education in itself!
Best skills
I am a National Master (in the UK), as well as being a Candidate Master.
My fide is currently 2192, though I have been as high as 2270!
My ecf (English Chess Federation) grade is 195, though have been as high as 216 very recently!
I have taught in primary schools, secondary schools, pupil referral units, and adults since 2002!
My main skill is to help students overcome their fears of improving, and to make the whole process as fun as can be!
My fide is currently 2192, though I have been as high as 2270!
My ecf (English Chess Federation) grade is 195, though have been as high as 216 very recently!
I have taught in primary schools, secondary schools, pupil referral units, and adults since 2002!
My main skill is to help students overcome their fears of improving, and to make the whole process as fun as can be!
Teaching methodology
I believe in making chess study fun, so that it is something you will end up wishing to do, be inspired by, and feel in charge of your own improvement! The beauty of chess is the ability to see one's self-development, and that feeling is much higher than simply winning and losing.
I get to know the student personally, looking at their games, locating where they can work on, and, most important, how to do it in a way that is fun for them to do so!
I believe that when one sits down to study chess, the aim is to increase one's skill first and foremost, so for instance studying endgames takes priority over openings!
I charge £40.00 per hour, or £25.00 per half-hour
I look forward to working with you!
Chris Briscoe
I get to know the student personally, looking at their games, locating where they can work on, and, most important, how to do it in a way that is fun for them to do so!
I believe that when one sits down to study chess, the aim is to increase one's skill first and foremost, so for instance studying endgames takes priority over openings!
I charge £40.00 per hour, or £25.00 per half-hour
I look forward to working with you!
Chris Briscoe