Les Lord - Professional Chess Coach
    Who Am I?

    My Professional Experience And Passion

    "I Am Very Passionate And Fanatical About The Game Of Chess."

    I am Les Lord, a professional full-time chess coach/tutor. Chess is educationally super-beneficial; it stimulates the mind and emotions, and is food/exercise for the brain. Regular chess training has the power to have a positive and far-reaching impact in your life for the better.

    "Over 51 Years Experience In Competitive Chess"

    I have over 51 years experience in competitive chess, both as a player and a coach. Even though I have now retired from competitive tournaments, I am heavily involved in coaching/training juniors from around the Toowoomba district.

    I teach a combination of school-based lessons and private lessons on a weekly basis. Some 31 years ago I commenced coaching chess in the school sector and now operate a full-time chess coaching business. The school-based chess lessons are before-school, after-school, at lunchtime and during class-time. More and more local Toowoomba schools are incorporating "chess lessons" in their school curriculum. The kids and teachers love it!

    Now, I am pleased to offer online chess coaching lessons for individuals and groups, squads and schools.

    Personal Achievements

    My Chess Journey

    Australian Chess Federation (ACF) peak rating of 2021
    U/18 Toowoomba Junior chess champion
    Toowoomba Open Champion 1985
    Runner-up in Toowoomba Open Championship 9 times
    1994 and 1995 Toowoomba Open "Lightning" Champion (speed chess)
    1994 Toowoomba Open "Active Chess" Champion
    3rd place in the u/18 Queensland junior chess championship
    Australia Day Sports medal (2001) for my services to Queensland Chess
    Level 1 "Coaching Principles" certificate from "The University of Queensland" (National Coaching Accreditation scheme course) in 2006
    Organizer & Director of Play (on behalf of The Toowoomba Chess Club) for the Toowoomba and district Primary School & Secondary School "Individual" & "Teams" chess championships – for over 20 years
    Director of Play for the IPSHA chess championship for 2015-2025 (independent private schools)
    Personal achievements
    Chess coaching achievements
    Chess Coaching Achievements

    My chess coaching/training over the years with "Juniors" has produced the following achievements:

    Luthien:

    No 1 ranked U/12 Girl in Australia in 2005. (Represented Australia in the U/12 section in the World Youth chess championship in France)

    Michael:

    5th in Australia in the U/18 "Individual" championship in 2007
    Runner up in the Queensland Junior (U/12) championship in 2002

    Alex:

    Runner up in the Queensland Junior U/12 Championship in 2007

    Ben:

    Champion in the 2010 & 2011 Toowoomba district Primary School chess championship.
    Champion in the 2014, 2015 & 2016 Toowoomba district Secondary School chess championship.

    Oliver:

    Champion in the 2017 Toowoomba District Primary School Individual chess championship

    Flynn:

    Runner-up in the 2021 Toowoomba district Secondary School Individual chess championship
    Champion in the 2019 Toowoomba District Secondary School Individual chess championship

    Mirabelle:

    Champion in the 2023 Toowoomba District Primary School Individual chess championship.

    Darcy:

    Champion in the 2024 Toowoomba district primary school Invitational chess championship
    More Chess Coaching Achievements

    School Team Achievements

    St Thomas More's Primary School:

    Equal 4th in Qld Interschool Primary School "Teams" State Finals in 2011.

    Toowoomba Grammar School:

    Equal 2nd in the Queensland Interschool secondary school TEAMS State Finals in 2021
    Equal 1st in the 2006 Secondary Schools 'GPS' Teams championship
    Champions in the Toowoomba and district Secondary School "Teams" championship for the last 31 years.
    School team achievements

    Where To Purchase Chess Equipment?

    For Chess Equipment And Products, Click On The Link Below:

    or call Gary Lane from Australian Chess Enterprises on (02) 4588 6156