Alfred Olubakin
Quick facts
Started playing chess at age: 16
Experience with: coaching beginner, intermediate, and advanced players
Chess rating: 1700
Fun facts: I work as a Doctor in our beloved NHS, I'm an experienced drummer and I'm an app designer.
QA with me
Q: What inspired you to start coaching chess and how long have you been doing it?
Q: What is your proudest chess achievement or moment?
Q: How would you describe your coaching philosophy or teaching style?
Q: How do you tailor your coaching to fit the needs of different students?
Q: Can you share an example of how you've helped a student improve their game?
Q: Who is your favourite chess player and why?
Q: If you had one piece of advice for either new players or students wanting to progress what would it be?
Q: What is the most valuable lesson chess has taught you in life?
Q: What are your favourite chess openings or strategies to teach?
A: Once I discovered the beauty of chess, both in its numbers and its artistry, I felt compelled to share it, so others could experience that same wonder.
A: My proudest moment in chess was running a large online Christmas tournament that welcomed players of all ratings. The winner earned a prize, and everyone else was entered into a participation raffle, making it a festive, inclusive celebration of the game
A: My coaching philosophy is to help students understand the true value behind each move and position. With that foundation, they can make rational, well-grounded decisions instead of relying on memorization, while keeping the learning process fun and engaging.
A: Every student learns differently, so I adapt my approach to their goals, strengths, and pace. For beginners, I focus on building confidence and fundamentals, while more advanced players get deeper insight into strategy and decision-making. No matter the level, I make sure the lessons stay engaging, clear, and fun.
A: One of my students struggled with rushing into captures and losing pieces early. To help, I introduced a rule of ‘no capturing in the first 10 moves’ so they could focus on development and planning instead of quick trades. Along with lessons on evaluating positions and piece value, this shift completely changed their mindset. They began playing more patiently and naturally, creating stronger positions.
A: Magnus Carlsen
A: Master the fundamentals and train with puzzles. Everything else in chess builds from there. Openings aren’t magic, they’re simply the fundamentals expressed and formalized.
A: Little by little, then all of a sudden.
A: Two of my favourite openings to teach are the Catalan and the Fried Liver. The Catalan shows how powerful the initiative can be—often forcing your opponent to give material back. The Fried Liver, meanwhile, looks terrible for Black at first glance, but in reality it’s equal. Teaching students that appearances in chess can be deceiving.
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