About Utpal Sasane
Utpal Sasane is a FIDE-rated chess player and coach and founder of Kids Chess Academy with more than two decades of coaching experience helping students develop strong thinking skills through structured chess training.
Since beginning his coaching journey in 1999, he has trained thousands of students across India and internationally through personalized online chess coaching programmes designed for beginners, developing players, and serious competitors.
His coaching approach focuses not only on chess improvement but also on building concentration, decision-making ability, and confident independent thinking through a structured learning process.
Mr. Utpal Sasane
Coaching Experience and Background
Utpal Sasane began his chess coaching career in 1999 and is the founder of Kids Chess Academy, an online chess learning platform offering both individual and group coaching programmes.
He is a FIDE-rated player (rating: 2151) and has worked with students across beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels through structured online training designed to support long-term improvement.
Over the years, coaching has evolved into a system focused not only on chess strength but also on developing thinking skills, discipline, and confident decision-making in students.
This long-term coaching experience shaped the development of the structured UTPAL Method™, which guides learning across all coaching sessions.
- Languages Used in Coaching
- English
- Hindi
- Marathi
How Coaching Differs from Traditional Chess Learning
Many chess programmes focus mainly on openings, tactics, or quick results. The coaching approach at Kids Chess Academy emphasizes understanding and thinking processes instead of memorization.
Students are guided to analyse positions, evaluate choices, and understand the ideas behind moves. This helps children become independent thinkers who can adapt during real games rather than relying on remembered patterns.
Over time, this structured learning approach builds confidence, patience, and long-term improvement habits that extend beyond chess itself.
Global Student Community
Teaching Philosophy and Coaching Approach
Chess coaching at Kids Chess Academy is designed to support players at every stage of learning, from beginners building fundamentals to advanced students refining strategic thinking and competitive skills.
Long-Term Improvement Focus
The coaching approach focuses on helping students build strong fundamentals and structured thinking habits that support long-term improvement. Rather than rushing toward ratings or results, students first learn how to understand positions, plan moves logically, and develop confidence in decision-making. When foundations are strong, rating improvement becomes a natural outcome of consistent learning.
Understanding Chess Principles
Students are guided to understand the principles behind every move instead of memorizing patterns. Lessons emphasize position evaluation, planning, and recognising ideas that apply across different games and situations. This helps students think independently during real games rather than relying on remembered moves.
Personalized Teaching Method
Each student learns differently, so coaching is adapted to the individual’s level, pace, and learning style. Instruction focuses on clear explanations, guided questioning, and gradual skill development. The objective is steady progress — not only in chess strength but also in confidence, patience, and analytical thinking.
What Parents Often Notice Over Time
Parents frequently observe positive changes beyond chess performance. As students learn structured thinking habits, they often become more patient, focused, and confident in decision-making.
Many children begin approaching challenges more calmly, analysing situations before reacting, and learning to handle mistakes constructively. These improvements develop gradually through consistent guided practice rather than pressure or competition alone.
The goal of coaching is not only chess success but also helping students build thinking skills that support academic learning and everyday problem-solving.
Start Your Child’s Chess Learning Journey
If you would like to understand your child’s current chess level and the most suitable learning path, you are welcome to get in touch.
Every student begins with a short assessment to identify strengths, learning needs, and the right coaching structure.
👉 Chat on WhatsApp to discuss your child’s learning goals and receive personal guidance on the next steps.