CM Mark Josse

I am 51 year old Candidate Master Mark Josse living in Surrey UK . I run Surrey Kings chess club based in Weybridge , Surrey I have tutored chess for 20 years developing a number of players to 2200 + FIDE . Surrey Kings Chess club is a junior club that provides opportunities for children from all backgrounds to take part in chess and hopefully develop a lifelong love of the game .

I have played Chess for 42 years competing in the British Championships , London Chess Classic, London league and regularly played in Division one of the Four nations chess league ( 4NCL ) . I won the British Senior championships in 2019 . I have won numerous events as an adult and junior including Surrey Junior Championships. I regularly compete still in the UK chess scene online and over the board competitions. I was tutored as a junior at the famous Richmond Junior Chess Club by Richard James at the time the most successful club in the UK for producing strong junior chess players .

Some of the juniors I have coached have won British championships and currently hold FIDE Titles . As a player i have worked out what a player needs to do to improve to each level . I am able to provide bespoke training plans to help my school students and adults achieve their goals . Unlike a lot of chess coaches I am happy to work with beginners as it can be rewarding watching them develop their chess understanding . I run Surrey Kings Junior chess team which took part in Division 5 of the Junior 4NCL in 2020. I am on the ECF list of Accredited coaches, hold enhanced DBS status and can provide references on request .

I have been involved in teaching other sports as well as chess for over 20 years . I have coached semi professional Rugby football and cricket teams . In 2019 I established and became director of Weybridge RFC Academy mentoring and providing sporting opportunities to over 100 boys aged 15-18 . For 32 years I held senior positions in Investigative law managing hundreds of staff . I have twenty years of management experience in roles where I was responsible for developing staff towards promotion and career development . Surrey Kings chess is a project that is offering chess to players from all different backgrounds and types of schools . Whilst I charge for my work I also sponsor a number of young chess players where finance prevents them from taking part in the game .

I have had to work hard over many years to improve at chess . I have a good understanding of what type of work that is needed to improve at each level . I ensure that each student is given a programme that suits their style of play . I am content to work with strong players on opening preparation using PGN and database files . I also believe in teaching young players about the endgame and positional chess . I am happy to work with beginners as the rewards of watching a player progress are great .

Lessons are run in person ( before Coronavirus ) or Online . Lessons are run using Zoom and Lichess which i have found to have a good interactive board that both tutor and student can share . Each Lesson is uniquely locked to myself and the student with PGN files available after for the student to refresh the lesson .All students have the opportunity to play for Surrey Kings chess club if they are a junior . I have extensive chess contacts to point you in the right direction of adult chess clubs and tournaments. I am happy to provide one off lesson however i have found best results are achieved by working together over a period of time .