Hi, I am based in Johannesburg and have been the daily chess columnist of 'The Star' newspaper for over 25 years -syndicated in other newspapers in Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town.
FM Mark Rubery
‘Yes, I have played a blitz game once. It was on a train, in 1929.’ Mikhail Botvinnik, interviewed in 1989
| Location | Johannesburg South Africa |
|---|---|
| Languages | English (US) |
| Rating | FIDE: 221923042377 |
| Hourly rate | $20/ 1 hr Email: argostoli@hotmail.com |
| Availability | Accepting students |
| Active |
About me
Playing experience
Played and won numerous tournaments around the country and three time winner of the Oude Meester Player of the Year.
SA Closed Champion and member of the SA Olympiad team in 1998. Top SA player at 1984 and 1998 SA Opens.
Lived in Moscow where I played, and enjoyed, many blitz tournaments held at the Central Chess Club.
Have wins over the GM Ludek Pachman in Secunda 1989 and GM Igor Naumkin at Capelle la Grande 2014.
Whilst living in the US enjoyed countless convivial blitz duels with the talented IM, Igor Ivanov.
FM title 1998
Fide trainer 2005
SA Closed Champion and member of the SA Olympiad team in 1998. Top SA player at 1984 and 1998 SA Opens.
Lived in Moscow where I played, and enjoyed, many blitz tournaments held at the Central Chess Club.
Have wins over the GM Ludek Pachman in Secunda 1989 and GM Igor Naumkin at Capelle la Grande 2014.
Whilst living in the US enjoyed countless convivial blitz duels with the talented IM, Igor Ivanov.
FM title 1998
Fide trainer 2005
Teaching experience
For many years privately coached some of our top junior players.
Chess instructor at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Chess coach at various schools across Surrey, UK
Chess instructor at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Chess coach at various schools across Surrey, UK
Other experiences
I was co author with Darryl Accone, of the book 'Chess Summit' Kasparov v Karpov 1986 (I believe Karpov has a copy in his library !) along with 'Springboks in Armenia' which focused on the South African team at the 1996 Olympiad.
Best skills
Able to convey the essence of a position in an easy to digest way
Teaching methodology
Initially an overall assessment of the level of the student through an examination of their games.
Setting of realistic and achievable goals.
Creating or improving on an existing Opening repertoire
Chess tactics -combinations are the soul of chess
Essential endgame knowledge
Developing calculation skills
Playing through master games that contain instructive themes.
Setting of realistic and achievable goals.
Creating or improving on an existing Opening repertoire
Chess tactics -combinations are the soul of chess
Essential endgame knowledge
Developing calculation skills
Playing through master games that contain instructive themes.