David Koetsier

Background

About David Koetsier

Learn a new way of chess. Whether you want to start at the basics, or whether you want to improve your skills, chesslife can cater for all your needs in South Australia. The Step-by-step method has been developed to teach children how to play chess. It has been successfully adopted by many chess clubs and schools in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Slowly but steadily the method is gaining popularity throughout the world. Learn the way Europe is learning! All my classes are based on this step method and workbooks for all levels are available. I started playing chess as an 8 year old boy in an after school activity held by one of my school teachers. In 1981 I won the 6th prize in the Dutch school championships. This is a competition between schools from all over the country. After coming 1st at my school I was the representative for the National championship. This particular level was for 12 years and under. In 1982 I competed again in this event and came 1st. I have played in many international tournaments around Europe, including Spain, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium. I have been teaching since my early twenties. I have taught chess to children with disabilities within a community setup. These children had disabilities ranging from autism to blindness. I have taught groups of six at a time with several trainers. Activities included drawing and colouring in of the pieces and creating their own chess pieces and board using varying tools like wood, paper and clay. Games would include moving the knight around on the board (without any of the other pieces present) and getting to the other knight as soon as possible. Specialties: I have played with SOPSWEPS’29 since its start in 1992. They currently play in the first division of the national league. In 2005 I moved with my wife Sabrina to Adelaide, South Australia. I have been speaking to Rotary Clubs about the benefits of brain training, writing chess articles and teaching chess.