FM Derek Christopher Clasby
Chess is like art: Once you learn the techniques and choose your style, you can create anything.
| Location | Michigan United States |
|---|---|
| Languages | English (US) |
| Rating | FIDE: 233930452679 |
| Hourly rate | $50/hr |
| Availability | Accepting students |
| Active |
About me
Hello! My name is Derek Clasby. I am a Fide Master originally from New Jersey and now attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where I am pursuing a degree in philosophy. My USCF rating is 2426 and my FIDE rating is 2339.
Playing experience
I have played in 160 tournaments across the United States and a handful of international competitions for the US All-America Chess Team. Some of my most memorable tournaments and wins include:
2016 World Cadet Championship (Batumi, Georgia)
2018 World Cadet Championship (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)
2019 NJ Open (beat first GM, Joel Benjamin)
2021 North American Youth Championships (5/9)
2022 World Open (5/9; drew GM Illia Nyzhnyk (2773) and beat highest rated opponent, GM Lazaro Bruzon Batista (2694))
2022 National K-12 Grade Championship (5.5/7)
2023 NJ High School Champion
2024 National High School Championship (6/7)
2024 World Open (5.5/9)
2016 World Cadet Championship (Batumi, Georgia)
2018 World Cadet Championship (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)
2019 NJ Open (beat first GM, Joel Benjamin)
2021 North American Youth Championships (5/9)
2022 World Open (5/9; drew GM Illia Nyzhnyk (2773) and beat highest rated opponent, GM Lazaro Bruzon Batista (2694))
2022 National K-12 Grade Championship (5.5/7)
2023 NJ High School Champion
2024 National High School Championship (6/7)
2024 World Open (5.5/9)
Teaching experience
I was the president of my high school chess club, where I worked within the club as well as in several outreach programs to offer lessons to K-12 students. I also volunteered over the summer with CKQ Chess, a local chess academy where I observed and taught small group lessons.
Teaching methodology
We will spend our first lesson examining some of your games, working through some problems, and discussing what you specifically want to improve on. From there, I will develop theme-integrated plans for the next few sessions. Each lesson will be pre-planned and structured, but I always want to work with you to best personalize and optimize your class time---feedback is the key to effective instruction.
My goal is to help you achieve yours. I am open to motivated learners of any age; however, I limit the number of students I teach so that I am able to maximally focus on their specific needs and objectives. In this way, I can make the lessons as unique and individualized as possible, while making myself available to answer any questions or supplementing any additional resources you require outside of class.
Send me a message if you're interested!
My goal is to help you achieve yours. I am open to motivated learners of any age; however, I limit the number of students I teach so that I am able to maximally focus on their specific needs and objectives. In this way, I can make the lessons as unique and individualized as possible, while making myself available to answer any questions or supplementing any additional resources you require outside of class.
Send me a message if you're interested!