Brian Rowe
Target Students:
New to Chess ( <1000), Beginner (1000-1400), Tournament Level (1400-1800), Advanced (1800-2000)
About Me:
I started playing chess in the early 1990′s and have been addicted ever since. I started by playing coffee house chess and moved on to tournament chess a short time later. In the late 1990′s I started teaching chess in the Portland Oregon / Vancouver Washington area at local elementary and middle schools along with private lessons.
Most recently I taught Several 8 week chess classes at the Perkins School in North Seattle and a 15 week class at Lafayette in West Seattle. I have worked with students ages 4 on up. I also took private lessons from Senior Master Charles Schulien in the late 1990′s.
Chess is not my only passion, I also teach law, ethics, privacy and intellectual property at the University of Washington and Seattle University Law. I hold a law degree JD and degrees in Informatics BS and Political Science BA I have extensive experience in teaching at all levels ranging from tutoring math and reading to elementary school student through the America Reads program to teaching Masters level classes and continuing legal education seminars.
Teaching:
I offer Personal chess lessons for children or adults. Learn everything from the basics of the game to advanced competitive techniques for tournament play. Study plans focus on gaining a strong foundation of tactics, endgames, and learning how to master a skill.
I have high expectations for my students and parents. Learning chess for children should be a cooperative experience. Parents do not need to be avid chess players, but do need to be committed to helping their children learn on a daily basis. Student of all ages must be willing to make time commitments to study chess, not playing, at least 30 to an hour a day.
I teach not only the skills to learn chess, but also the skills to master any subject as part of chess, whether it is law, math or music, the same basic principles and work habits will benefit any life-long learner. Students must be prepared to study daily including keeping a journal of work completed and questions for future lessons.
The first time you meet with me, I will do a half-hour introductory evaluation of your chess skills free of charge. Weekly 1:1 lessons are recommended for most students ranging between 1/2 hour to 1 hour per session.
I am willing to travel to any location within 10 miles of Seattle or meet at a public place within the city.
Diverse people of all learning styles are welcome. Lessons are customized for each students learning style!
Rates:
1st 1/2 hour introductory half hour is free.
$35 per half hour single lessons
* 30 minute weekly chess lessons – $130.00/month
* 45 minute weekly chess lessons – $175.00/month
* 60 minute weekly chess lessons – $220.00/month
These rates well bellow the rates I charge for legal or tech work. I teach for fun, I am willing to offer scholarships to dedicated students and barter for other services.
Perspective students may also want to check out the new student page to get an idea of how I teach.
Where I play:
I can be found playing at SOHO Coffee Company, Cherry Street Cafes or the Downtown Seattle Public Library. I am always up for a friendly game feel free to approach me if you see me at a coffee shop.
Q: Why learn chess from a law professor and not a FIDE Master?
A: I teach more then just the moves, I teach a strategy for learning. Each chess lesson focus on improving your game and improving how you learn. I bring teaching and planning skills to chess lessons that are extremely useful not just in chess but in learning law, math, computer programming or any other disciple. Chess is about improving life skills and reasoning not just about pushing wood.