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IM Yangfan Zhou

Cambridge-educated IM helping professional/ambitious players improve. 15+ years coaching experience

LocationHangzhou China
Languages简体中文, English (US)
RatingFIDE: 2486
Hourly rate$17 (Group)
AvailabilityAccepting students
Active

About me

31 year old from London, UK
Former child prodigy but stopped playing chess to pursue studies and professional career.

Now leaving the corporate world behind to do what I enjoy - play and teach chess!

Playing experience

Peak Rating 2486, 2 GM Norms

2024: Manchester Open Champion
2013: British Championship 4th=
2012: Hong Kong Open Champion
2011: World U18 Chess Championship 6th
2002-2013: British Junior Champion U8, U12, U18, U21

Teaching experience

Current full time coach at Fearless Chess Academy, Hangzhou China
Former coach for England Youth Team

Student results include:
2025 International Master
2014 World School Championship u9 2nd
2013 & 2015 British Woman's Champion

Other experiences

General Manager at THG (Former FTSE 100 company)
Vice President - Commercial at Sourceful

Teaching methodology

🧠 Why do many students get stuck in chess?
👉 It’s not lack of effort — it’s lack of structured training

Many students:
❌ Rely only on tactics
❌ Struggle with positional play
❌ Are weak in endgames
❌ Learn a lot… but can’t apply it

📌 Real improvement comes from systematic training + deep understanding

♟️ IM Group Classes (16-Session Structured Program)

🎯 Focus on the two most neglected areas:
✔️ Positional Play
✔️ Endgames

💡 What makes this different:
• Complete 16-session structured syllabus
• Learn key principles (fundamental → advanced)
• Work through many high-quality examples
• Practice exercises to reinforce understanding
• Every session includes training games + reviews
📌 Small group sizes (typically 2–8 students)
➡️ Ensures individual attention and personal feedback

👉 Not just learning moves — learning how to think

🧩 Training Method (What actually works)

1️⃣ Learn core principles
2️⃣ Deepen understanding through examples
3️⃣ Solve exercises independently
4️⃣ Play training games
5️⃣ Receive personalised feedback

💻 Online Classes

🗓️ Thu 07:30–09:30 (China time) – English
👉 Recommended level: 1400+

🗓️ Fri 08:30–09:30 (China time) – English
👉 Recommended level: 1800+

🗓️ Sat 17:00–19:00 (China time) – Chinese
👉 Recommended level: Level 2+

📚 Format:
• 1 hour theory lesson
• ~30 mins training games
• ~30 mins game review

🏫 Offline Classes (Hangzhou)

📍 Fearless Chess Academy

🗓️ Sat 13:00–16:15 (Bilingual, mainly Chinese)
👉 Recommended level: 1400+

🗓️ Sun 17:15–20:30 (Bilingual, mainly Chinese)
👉 Recommended level: 1600+

📚 Format:
• 15 mins English practice + chess vocabulary
• 80 mins structured lesson
• Short break
• 45 mins training games
• 45 mins game analysis
💡 Students with little or no English can still follow

🌍 Why train with me?

♟️ International Master (IM)
🎓 Cambridge graduate
🌏 Bilingual coaching (English + Chinese)
📈 Proven track record:
Of personally improving efficiently — balancing academics and chess (achieved IM level while qualifying for Cambridge)
Working with world class players

📚 Focus on long-term improvement, not shortcuts

🎯 Who is this for?

✔️ Students stuck at a plateau
✔️ Students who want structured improvement
✔️ Students who want to truly understand chess
✔️ Students who want to develop English + Chinese ability in a bilingual environment

📩 Interested? Send me a message! (Either here or on wechat: yfchess)