Our Team
Our team is a group of experienced chess coaches, passionate about helping players grow with clear guidance, proven strategies, and real tournament insight. We focus on building strong fundamentals, sharp thinking, and confidence at every level, making chess both enjoyable and rewarding for every student we work with.
Tony Carpinter
Tony Carpinter is a retired IT Manager with a long-standing passion for chess, both as a player and a mentor. He is a member of the Canterbury Chess Club, where he contributes actively on the committee, and is also a registered FIDE Trainer. Alongside coaching, Tony has been closely involved in supporting the local chess community, including primary, intermediate, and secondary school events in Christchurch, as well as major competitions like the New Zealand National Championships.
As a competitive player, Tony has achieved strong results over the board. In recent years, he has been honoured to win titles such as All Canterbury Champion, South Island Rapid Champion, and New Zealand Veterans Champion twice. He brings this practical playing experience into his coaching, helping students improve with real-world strategies and a clear understanding of the game.
Arun Kumar
Arun developed a love for chess over the years and founded the University of Canterbury Chess Club (UChess) in 2014. He is a licensed National Instructor (NI) accredited by World Chess Federation (FIDE) and is an active member of the Canterbury Chess Club.
His passion for the game was re-ignited after the chance encounter with Magnus Carlsen in Copenhagen, Denmark while walking down a crowded street and extended to volunteering at the 44th Chess Olympiad in his hometown Chennai, India in 2022. His travels around the world have given him an appreciation of the value of chess in breaking down barriers and his education up to PhD level an insight into the usefulness of chess as a tool to promote student success and well-being.