Part-Time Chess Coach

About the Role

Mind Stretcher is building a chess education programme designed to develop capable, confident and resilient young players. Spearheaded by Grandmaster Tin Jingyao, Singapore’s top-ranked chess player and an eight-time national champion, Battle of the Minds is a two-week December holiday camp featuring concurrent Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced groups and a combined tournament.

We are seeking knowledgeable, engaging and dependable trainers who can explain ideas clearly, work confidently with children and deliver the programme consistently. Trainers will be assigned according to their chess strength, teaching experience and suitability for each group. Curriculum guidance, session plans and worksheets will be provided, but trainers are expected to prepare and familiarise themselves with the content.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver assigned lessons using the programme’s curriculum and materials.
• Explain chess rules, concepts and thinking processes clearly, while facilitating puzzles, guided games and practical activities.
• Manage classes of up to 16 children positively, safely and efficiently.
• Adapt explanations and practice within the lesson plan to suit differences in age, confidence and playing strength.
• Observe students’ understanding and reinforce habits such as patience, resilience, confidence and learning from mistakes.
• Assist with attendance, classroom setup, equipment care, dismissal and tournament duties where assigned.

Requirements and Experience

• Chess knowledge and playing competence appropriate to the levels being taught.
• Ability to explain chess ideas clearly and manage children 7–16 years old.
• A patient, responsible and encouraging approach, supported by strong communication skills.
• Reliability, punctuality and willingness to prepare properly and follow the programme’s curriculum and lead-trainer guidance.
• Previous experience teaching chess or working with children is advantageous.
• An established rating, chess title, coaching qualification or over-the-board tournament experience is advantageous, particularly for higher-level groups.
• Eligibility to work in Singapore and willingness to comply with applicable child-safety, conduct and screening requirements.

Working Arrangements

• Training runs on Monday to Thursday mornings during each camp week. Applicants may be appointed for one or both weeks.
• Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced groups will run concurrently, with a planned maximum of 16 students per class.
• Teaching will take place at designated centre(s), while the tournament may be held at a separate venue. Exact reporting times, venues and duties will be confirmed before appointment.

Selection and Application

Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interview and a short teaching demonstration. Selection will consider both chess knowledge and teaching ability; playing strength alone will not determine suitability.

Please submit the following through the application channel provided with this listing:

• A short résumé and your contact details.
• A summary of your chess background, current rating and chess title, if applicable.
• Details of any teaching, coaching or experience working with children.
• Your availability for the first camp week, second camp week and combined tournament.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted regarding the next stage of selection.