Chesslife is very excited to be announcing some changes in the very near future!

Over the last decade we have built a thriving chess community where 100% of students have reaped the rewards from the many benefits that come with learning chess. Chesslife is passionate and has been teaching chess with a purpose. Our programs have enabled young people to become somebody they hadn’t imagined.

Chesslife’s Vision is to create a chess community and culture that enriches lives around Australia.

In schools and community groups, chess often serves as a bridge, bringing together children of different ages, races, and genders in an activity they can all enjoy. Chess helps build individual friendships and school spirit when children compete together as teams against other schools. Chess also teaches children about sportsmanship – how to win graciously and not give up when encountering defeat. For children with adjustment issues, there are many examples where chess has led to increased motivation, improved behaviour, better self-image, and even improved attendance. Chess provides a positive social outlet, a wholesome recreational activity that can be easily learned and enjoyed at any age.

We have developed programs for every skill level and ambition, which has resulted in some amazing outcomes over the years. When Chesslife started in South Australia, there were very few students participating in the local championships at that time. We are now proud to see the chess centre filled with 80+ students each school holiday and many of those students having learned through the Chesslife programs. Over the years, Chesslife has assisted over hundreds of school teams to participate in the Interschool championships, and we have seen Chesslife coached schools take out Primary C Grade, B Grade and A Grade championship titles as well as the Secondary 3rd and 2nd Division year after year.

We have encouraged hundreds of students to play in state championships and take out dozens of titles and awards every year. In fact, the current U18, (no U17 awarded), U16, U15, U14, U13, U12, U11 and U10 and U8 state champions are all students that have been part of Chesslife coaching programs.

Chesslife students are actively playing in interstate tournaments and are often the only South Australian juniors representing their state at these events. Chesslife students have often been the only South Australian junior students that have qualified for the Junior Elite Training Squad year after year and not only has the founder of Chesslife David Koetsier been the Australian coach for the U16 World Olympiad and U18 World youth, Chesslife students have also represented Australia at International events.

So, the time has come to bring that amazing community together; to showcase the programs and their results.

Therefore, we are proud to announce that Chesslife will soon become Chesslife Academy!

To recognise the first phase of this transition, we will start providing all Chesslife students with an orange Chesslife Academy wristband. You can wear it at the local state championships, wear it to the school chess or wear it when you go out and meet your friends for a game of chess!

We would like to see a sea of orange wristbands at the upcoming events in the chess centre!

And to celebrate, you can be in the running to win a FREE coaching session with David! Tag a photo of you wearing your wristband with #chesslifeacademy  and you will go in the draw to win some coaching time with Chesslife founder and head coach David!