With over 12 years of competitive chess experience, @emirthechesscoach has represented Selangor, Malaysia, and even been featured in a Taylor’s University video celebrating his journey. What started as a love for the game has grown into a steady freelance coaching career, where Emir now runs group classes, workshops, and one-on-one sessions while still keeping his own competitive edge sharp.
In this interview, we dive into his path from player to coach, the realities of freelancing in a niche skill, and the wins and challenges that come with building a career around your passion.
1. Hi Emir! You’ve been playing competitive chess for over 12 years and were even featured in a Taylor’s University video about your journey. Could you share a bit about yourself and the path that led you to becoming a chess coach?
Hi Milie, sure thing!
I first learnt chess from my dad at 5 years old.
Over the years played for the Selangor team in the national school competitions (MSSM), for Malaysia in national junior, international and national university stage as well!
I’m a former sports scholar from Taylor’s University and I even had a promotional video on my chess career shot by the university!
On the coaching front, I’ve always been fascinated with chess since there’s many different ways to achieve a goal you have in mind and in a way it does reflect on life too.
Adjusting according to the changes, thinking/planning ahead, finding the right ideas, right steps, changing the order of it are what I feel is somewhat philosophical yet meaningful, something I try to share to others too!
2. For someone new to your work, could you explain the coaching services you offer and what you believe sets your approach apart from other freelance chess coaches?
My coaching is done in groups and personal-based ones!
My first session in personal ones is always like an “intro” or “diagnostic” one to help get to know the new student and their shortcomings in the game, areas to focus on improvement etc.
Honestly I don’t think I have anything that necessarily stands apart hahaha but I always make the class as humorous, laid back, engaging and relaxed for the students.
Over the years, lots of students I’ve taught actually improved on their social skills as well (maybe not 100% due to me of course hahaha) where they gradually opened up to me over time and even took the initiative to talk to me first in their results!
Even in cases where first timer students I was sure they didn’t like the session, the parents would say they loved it and wanted more so I’d say be yourself and always improve as you go by so you can be the best of yourself to give at that point in time!
3. What does a typical workday look like for you, and what habits or routines help you maintain both professional performance and personal wellbeing?
My workday can be erratic at rarer times with ad hoc classes hahaha but generally at the minimum I do 2-3 hours of classes a day.
One routine I have is being a night owl where I catch up on much work or messages over the day I left off.
For me, it is somewhat relaxing too than replying over the day since I can reply at my pace yet I also make sure I sleep 7-8 hours of sleep so I’d be well rested too.
I play badminton weekly and go for night walks to clear my head too, so mental and physical health-wise I always try to keep that balance!
4. From seeing your students progress to competing in tournaments yourself, what’s the biggest source of motivation that keeps you passionate about both coaching and playing?
For the coaching, it’s seeing their progress and wins over time! It’s not even the high achievers but the ones who made their own jump in level like from Level 1 to Level 2!
Gradually seeing some whom I did not even expect to win big did so and I’m always pleasantly surprised at that hahaha.
For playing, admittedly I have played less due to coaching commitments but I do play regularly online and upskill with videos and other material so I’m still “in shape”.
I like to still play anyways cause it helps to still duke it out in a real game than purely training or online.
5. Coaching can be rewarding but also demanding. What’s one major challenge you’ve faced in balancing tournaments, workshops, and students at different skill levels, and how did you overcome it?
One major challenge I face relates to time constraints, whether it’s for new students in accommodating their time, in preparing the material for workshops sometimes and even ad hoc classes.
I think it’s comforting knowing I’d want to help everyone if I could but it’s more important to know your limits and plan accordingly.
I would say it is a good learning curve in that sense since it helps to draw your boundaries otherwise you can’t have a balance of rest, catching up, leisure, me-time and so on.
While I enjoy my classes, I do be firm on some timing so I wouldn’t be overburdened too.
6. You run beginner, intermediate, and advanced group classes, plus workshops. Could you walk us through how you structure these lessons to keep them both fun and challenging?
For all my groups I always focus on some key points which I think regardless for all levels are relatable, works easier for me too in emphasising things at times hahaha but it’s definitely things that would be useful for them once it’s at heart.
Depending on the audience, I do make some “key words” in use like skibidi by the kids so they find it easier to get hahaha, adult humor for adult sessions and so forth.
I think it helps in a way since I keep it light-hearted and manage based on the crowd so it’s never a one size fits all approach!
7. Looking back from your MSSS championship win to competing internationally, what’s one lesson from competitive chess that you now apply to your business and life?
Don’t be too mindful of the setbacks, remember why it happened but don’t bury it for the convenience of avoiding looking at the “failures”.
Oftentimes I see people shunning failure like its the plague but it’s only ever a natural part of the learning process.
For me, any painful experience is always a good time to reflect since there’s a reason why we didn’t get the result we wanted.
Take it the right way, don’t let it make you feel avoidant and you’ll definitely bounce back.
8. You’ve shared stories about your early setbacks in competitions. How do you use those experiences to inspire and guide your students today?
One common theme is to look down on opponents, in fact winning the MSSS 4 times came after I failed to get into the Selangor team the year before hahaha.
I always say to be confident in yourself but also not to look down on your opponents.
Another common theme I always tell is to use your time wisely in the game.
I’ve seen many students throw winning games because they assumed it’s “in the bag”.
Chess can be a cruel game where 1 wrong move can undo 10 moves of effort so we have to always make sure we thread carefully.
I feel that it’s always more “real” that I have first-hand experience in sharing to them than random stories I’ve read online hahaha.
My dad said to me “It’s good to learn from your mistakes, but better to learn from others’ mistakes so we don’t experience the pain of it”, which I think is something I try to caution students on as well with my own setbacks!
9. From your perspective as a coach, what’s one standout student achievement that you’re most proud of?
I would say two but separate former students hahaha.
On the chess front, I had one former student win the national women’s championship 2 years back. I knew her level was good but it did catch me by surprise seeing the win too and it’s something I’m proud of her for.
On the non-chess front, I had one former student who is socially autistic. I taught him when he was just 4 years old until he was 9 years old, I remember his dad did tell me to expect him to be super shy and closed-up due to his condition and I did brace for it mentally. The first time he said “Thank you teacher Emir” after like 1-2 months I taught him I was quite touched and he gradually grew with confidence as well.
In a way, I’m happy that not only they are achieving in chess but also in other aspects of life too! I don’t always play a direct role in their achievements but I know it’s always fulfilling seeing them achieve new highs!
10. Where do you see your coaching journey in the next 5 years? Are there any new programs, collaborations, or goals you’re working towards?
Truthfully I was thinking about this like in a 2-3 year window to see how it is but I had in mind to do holiday camps, random training camps and or events too so it’s not purely on the coaching side.
I think I would like to be financially stable within the next 5 years to enjoy the finer things in life with the people and things that matter.
I’m low maintenance myself hahaha but I know I’d still want to be financially literate enough to project how much is “enough”!
One common goal I always do is to read up on financial/tech related news since it’s an ever changing landscape and I think learning never stops anyways!
11. For Malaysian chess players who aspire to become coaches, what’s one piece of advice you’d give them to prepare for that path?
Always be genuine (in a good way hahaha)!
At times I got referred to by parents when I never expected and the word of mouth is quite a powerful thing.
Make sure to give your all yet maintain a balance between your work, rest, leisure, me time and all that since you need to create all that structured framework yourself!
Always try your best, give your all but know to keep some things to yourself so you don’t feel the burnout!
12. Finally, for anyone interested in learning chess with you, what’s the best way to get started or reach out for a consultation?
They could always drop a message to emirthechesscoach on both Facebook and Instagram!
I’m always open for messages but will definitely get back when I can.
From young kids to adults, all is welcomed!
Final Thoughts
A huge thank you to @emirthechesscoach for sharing his journey with us so openly.
It’s not every day you meet someone who has managed to turn a lifelong passion into a sustainable freelance career and do it with such authenticity, humor, and heart. His story is a reminder that freelancing isn’t just about skill, but also about balance, adaptability, and staying true to yourself.
Here are three takeaways we loved from this interview:
- Start with what you love. Passion makes the long hours and challenges easier to navigate.
- Be adaptable. Every student, project, or client will need a slightly different approach.
- Growth isn’t only financial. Helping others gain confidence can be the most rewarding milestone.
You can follow his journey and get in touch for coaching on Instagram @emirthechesscoach.
