Chess Coaching
The club offers a wide range of educational activities throughout the year, including classroom-based sessions and one-on-one coaching. In addition, we have a dedicated coach available in the main hall during our regular club nights for informal guidance and support.
All of our coaches are not only experienced instructors but also active tournament players, consistently ranking among the top 100 players in Ireland. This ensures that members receive high-quality coaching grounded in practical, competitive experience.
Our Coaches
Elite Coach
Oisin O'Cuilleanain
FIDE: 2171
Oisín has been playing chess since 2019.
He represented Ireland at Junior level on multiple occasions, including captaining the Irish Team in Chessmates Tournaments in 2022 and 2023.
He won the Irish Under 19 Championship in 2021 and the Leinster Under 19 Championship in 2023.
Oisín has worked as a coach since 2022, working with private students as well as group classes and in schools.
Development Coach
Stephen Moran
FIDE: 2153
Stephen began playing chess at the age of 11 and went on to represent Ireland consistently throughout the junior age groups in both team and individual competitions.
He has been fortunate to win two Irish national titles: All-Ireland Under-14 Champion in 2003 and Irish Blitz Champion in 2019 and is equally proud of his three Armstrong Cup victories.
Stephen's FIDE rating peaked at 2211 in 2020, following a sustained period of focused work on his game. His coaching philosophy is rooted in the lessons he learned during that time: nothing beats sitting down with a board in front of you, thinking deeply, and working out the best move for yourself.
General Coach
Sarah Scott
FIDE: 1957
Sarah has been playing chess since she was 12 and represented Ireland numerous times in her teens.
She was a part of the winning Glorney Cup team in 2016 and has played in both European and World Youth Championships.
Sarah has been working as a coach since 2017 and joined the club soon after it opened to the public.
She is also the vice-chairperson of the club and was a part of our historic double-winning Armstrong team in the 2024/25 season.
Coaching at KoÉ
We offer a structured coaching program throughout the year, and all coaching is included with your club membership at no extra cost.Our Elite Coaching class is designed for up-and-coming players seeking advanced training and is available by selection only. For members looking to improve their skills and work toward joining the Elite group, our Development Class is open to all and focuses on building core techniques and strategies.
In addition, we provide informal coaching sessions in the main hall for all members, creating a relaxed environment where players of any level can receive guidance, ask questions, and develop their game. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, there are opportunities to grow and improve at every level.
Informal Coaching
While our club night is primarily a social event designed for everyone to enjoy chess, we also aim to provide opportunities for those who wish to improve their skills. We encourage friendly competition and ambition among our members and are committed to fostering talent whenever possible.
We believe that every player, regardless of level, should have access to guidance and instruction. Effective coaching, however, works best when it is tailored to an individual’s needs, often in small groups. Since there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach, we offer informal coaching in the main hall alongside our scheduled classroom sessions.
To take advantage of this informal coaching, simply speak to the coach on duty about what you’d like to focus on. This could include reviewing a recent tournament game, seeking advice on an opening or strategic idea, or even discussing which tournament to play next. Our goal is to equip members with the knowledge and confidence to approach their next game with clarity and assurance.
In addition to coaching, our club boasts many strong players who are happy to challenge members of all levels. Playing against stronger opponents, and reviewing the game together afterward, is an excellent way to accelerate your improvement. We want every member to feel empowered, supported, and inspired to reach their chess potential.
