Adi Singh

What do you think makes you a good coach?
The reasons I believe I would make a strong chess coach are, first, my strong fundamental knowledge of chess. Understanding the fundamentals and tactics is crucial, as every move played in chess requires skill and strategy.

Another important quality is patience. I always remain calm and collected in every game I play, which helps me stay focused on winning rather than worrying about losing. Chess is one of the few sports where patient and composed players usually have the upper hand.

Finally, personalized teaching is key. Everyone learns differently, and I strive to motivate kids by recognizing their unique strengths, skill levels, and learning styles. Tailoring my coaching approach to each student’s needs is a characteristic of a great chess coach.

Why do you love chess?
Chess means everything to me, from intermediate school to university. It’s my favorite hobby, whether I feel bored, happy, or excited. It helps me release stress that builds up from studying and allows me to channel my focus into strategies and tactics to defeat my opponents.

It’s also a great motivator—it pushes me to keep improving, learn from my mistakes, and become a better player every day.

When/how did you first learn to play?
I first learned how to play chess with my dad in the living room when I was seven years old. I used to love strategic games like checkers and Jenga, but one day my dad brought home a chess set from work and asked me to play a game with him. Ever since that day, I fell in love with the game.

Why do you enjoy working with kids?
Kids have the most energy of anyone, and they always have a positive mindset about everything they do. They’re always up for a challenge, which makes teaching them fun and exciting.

When I mediated classrooms in high school, I noticed how fascinated kids were by puzzles and complex problems—they were eager to solve them. This motivated me to support them from behind the scenes, so they could feel proud of their achievements and develop the confidence to tackle even more difficult problems.

What are your main chess achievements?
My biggest chess achievements came during intermediate school, when I competed in several major tournaments in Year 7 and Year 8. In most of them, I placed in the top 10 and even the top 5.

Our school competed against many others with different skill levels, but we managed to come out on top. I was actively involved with my school’s chess team and helped us win the intermediate chess tournament.

How do you think chess helps kids?
Chess is a great sport for kids because they love problem-solving and challenges, and chess provides both. They enjoy the process of planning moves ahead and thinking through complex strategies to win the game—whether for themselves or their team.

Kids are also naturally creative, using their imagination and critical thinking to come up with moves that confuse and surprise their opponents. In many ways, chess feels like a world of endless possibilities, where each piece has its own potential and unique surprises.