CHESS RISING STARS LONDON ACADEMY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- CO - FOUNDER
- TEACHER
- COACHING CO - ORDINATOR
- Lead Coach of Our Elite Chess Club
Chris is licensed as a FIDE Instructor and by the English Chess Federation at Level 3 of their Registered Coaches Scheme. He has held a peak FIDE rating of 2207 and ECF rating of 2335. Chris enjoyed many competitive successes as a junior, most notably winning the British Under 16 Championships.
Chris spent five years as a secondary school maths teacher in Bristol where he also completed his MSc in Education. Since returning to London in 2017 he has taught chess in schools, at Chess Rising Stars camps, Adult Improvers online classes, and the Chelsea Chess Club.
As the lead coach of our Elite Chess Club, Chris has supported the development of the strongest junior players at Chess Rising Stars. His students' accomplishments include competing in both the European Youth Individual and Team Championships. Three Elite Club members reached the Terafinal of the UK Chess Challenge and two won medals at the LJCC Finals.
"Studying chess with Chris is packed with analysis, insight, inspiration and positive encouragement through the highs and lows of assimilating a complex game. I really appreciate his focus on developing deep skills for long-term growth … and the benefit of lessons extends beyond the board into other aspects of life."
Thomas is a Candidate Master (CM) with a peak FIDE rating of 2232 and has been teaching chess for over 7 years. He is a licensed FIDE Instructor and level 3 registered English Chess Federation coach.
Thomas is a very active club and tournament player, often playing over 100 games in a season. His tournament successes include winning the Major Open at the 2018 British Chess Championships.
Thomas is well known on the English chess circuit for his tactical, ambitious style of play. He is able to communicate this clearly to his students, several of whom have gone on to represent the England Junior Teams.
Job Titles:
- Coach
- NATIONAL INSTRUCTOR
Eric started his chess career through school and local clubs at the age of 6. He has competed all the way from the school to the international level with a peak ECF rating of 1985. Tournament highlights include participating in the English Primary Schools Chess Association competition; the National Schools Chess Championship; the Hampstead Weekend Congress (1st U135 Section Jan 2019); the Reykjavik Open 2022, the San Leo Open 2022 (2nd U2000 section) and the Maastricht Open 2023 (1st B section).
Eric has been a chess coach for more than 3 years, holding a FIDE licence as a National Instructor and recognised by the English Chess Federation at Level 2 of their Registered Coaches Scheme. He has a wide range of experience teaching children from ages 4-14, from complete beginners to nationally competitive players. His first-hand experiences in both the grassroots junior scene and later as an ‘adult improver' come across in his lessons that impart both the theoretical and practical elements of becoming a successful chess player.
Glen is an experienced teacher and chess player with a peak ECF rating of 1810. Chess has been a passion for Glen ever since he first learned the rules. He was a keen competitor as a junior, winning the Under 10 Kent Championships and playing on top board for his county team.
As a recent recruit to Chess Rising Stars, Glen is turning his hand to chess teaching. Since 2017 he has taught fencing in schools whilst being an active member of the GB Senior Men's Foil Team. Glen is able to share this knowledge of competing at an international level with his students so they can win their duels over the chessboard.
Marian Petrov is a Grandmaster and FIDE Trainer who has held a peak FIDE rating of 2549. He is a former two-time Bulgarian Champion and coached the Wales national men's team at the Chess Olympiads in 2016 and 2018 then the Japanese women's team in 2022. Marian was also selected to coach the Bulgarian team at the 2023 FIDE World Youth Olympiad tournament in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
Marian has over 15 years of coaching experience, working with students of all levels from around the world. He holds a bachelor's degree in Chess Pedagogy and is the author of two highly regarded openings books; Grandmaster Repertoire The Modern Benoni and The Vienna Game: Rekindled.
Marian is available for online private lessons and is a regular guest coach at our invitational Sunday Elite Online Club.
Maria Ciocan is a FIDE-rated player, with a peak rating of 2068. She has been playing chess competitively for over a decade. Included in her dozens of tournament appearances are several World and European Chess Championships.
Maria has taught chess for over three years. She coaches in-person in London and teaches online lessons to students from around the world. Maria enjoys working with children and sharing her passion for chess, having taught students from ages 5 and up.
"Maria is an exceptionally talented chess teacher. My daughter adores her lessons and is quickly gaining a strong foundation while having loads of fun. Maria continually challenges her yet manages to keep their time together light and engaging so my daughter finishes each lesson with a huge smile, eager for their next game! Highly recommended."
Job Titles:
- Instructor and Former Member of the England U18
Michael Green is a licenced FIDE Instructor and former member of the England U18 team. He is an ambitious tournament player, with a peak FIDE rating of 2002, and competes in local, national and international events.
Michael has experience of teaching chess in varied settings, including at the chess club he founded when he was at school (now top ten in the country), to his private students and even at a care home where he volunteered to teach chess to residents with Alzheimer's.
In 2019, Michael co-founded the PRO University Chess League which is Britain's first-ever inter-university chess league.
Savvas, with a peak FIDE rating of 2107, is an active tournament player. He has won numerous competitions in Greece where he also coaches in schools, clubs, and one-to-one. With an impressive teaching background of 17 years of experience, Savvas maintains a well-organized coaching schedule with students of all ages and chess levels. His mentoring has helped top Greek juniors, including a World Youth Champion, and individual and team champions at the national level.
Savvas has a fun and friendly manner with his students and always receives positive feedback. Aside from chess, Savvas takes great pride in fathering three lovely daughters. Moreover, his expertise as a tennis player enhances his chess lessons, infusing a sense of healthy competition.
"We are so happy with Savvas. My son is super hyped-up at finally finding someone to teach him chess. He talks about Savvas non-stop!"
Vinay started his chess career by playing (and promptly losing to!) his brother from the age of 6. His classical ECF rating at its peak stands at 1954 and he has gained almost 1000 online ELO points since 2019. Vinay became the UCL Chess Society President in 2021.
Vinay's competitive experience ranges from several Hammersmith Congresses, to captaining UCL within the London League and playing in the Maastricht Open in 2023. He defeated GM Simon Williams in a PUCL simul in 2021 and has since beaten further titled players both over the board and online, including British Senior Championship medallist Bob Eames. As an active competitive player, he is able to communicate this wealth of experience to his students.
Vinay has taught chess for almost three years, supporting children of all ages and abilities.
Maria is a Woman FIDE Master (WFM) with a peak rating of 2112. As a junior, Maria was an 8-time Greek National Champion. She also had multiple international tournament successes, including winning the World School Team Championships in 2007, but in recent years has focused more on teaching than pursuing her tournament career.
Maria is a licensed FIDE Instructor and National Arbiter and a level 3 registered English Chess Federation coach. Her students' competitive accomplishments include county champion titles in multiple age categories and top 3 finishes at the UK Chess Challenge Terafinal and London Junior Chess Championships Finals.
Maria founded the Chess Rising Stars London Academy in 2017 to share her passion for the game with chess enthusiasts in London and further afield. She teaches students of all ages and abilities, and her students are delighted with the progress they have made.
"Each day my daughter is more confident and happy to participate. I am so proud of her. Thank you Maria, you are her inspiration. She likes you so much and is very pleased that you are her 1st chess teacher!"