Freelance / Partners.
As our Students-per-Teacher ratio is kept low, both at our centers and at schools, we occasionally and selectively work together with good local chess instructors to cater for a peak hour here and there. We also offer our more mature and higher-level students opportunities to help with training as assistant coach and as such provide them an opportunity to gain valuable working experience in an internship setting.
IA Alberto Muniz Pardino
2016 - present
Former Director Operations
Senior Trainer
Coach Alberto holds a degree in Business Administration and is a FIDE Trainer and International Arbiter.
A tournament player since youth, he became Hong Kong Champion in 2014 and represented the HK National Team at the Chess Olympiad.
He has coached across Europe and Asia, and enjoys sports and technology.
AIM Francois Wolfaardt Ph.D
2023 - present
Trainer
I started chess at age 6, inspired by my grandfather, a local champion. By grade 6, I began beating him, and was soon selected to represent Western Province at the SA Schools Championship.
Chess became part of my identity—even leading me to write a fictional letter to Spassky for a school assignment, which my teacher praised.
I later earned a PhD in Second Language English Acquisition in Hong Kong and became an Arena International Master in 2015. I've coached for over a decade, helping students reach their goals.
WFM Sachithna Kodolara
2024 - present
Trainer
Coach Sachintha is pursuing a Mechanical Engineering degree at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
A Women FIDE Master since age 12, she has won medals at Asian, West Asian, and Commonwealth championships, including bronze at the Asian Schools and gold at the West Asian Championship.
A chess coach since 2022, she also founded her own club in Sri Lanka.
As a UNICEF Youth Advocate, she believes chess opened many doors in her life—and now aims to inspire children through the game.
Miguel Garceran Nieuwenburg
2024 - present
Founding Student and Multiple National Youth Champion
Miguel Garceran Nieuwenburg was one of Caissa’s first students, trained in the Step Method.
A top youth player in Hong Kong, he won several Hong Kong Champion titles in various formats, including blitz and rapid. He represented Hong Kong at the FIDE Youth World Championships and won the Dutch Open U10.
Now studying Business Administration at the University of Bath, Miguel returns during breaks to teach the next generation of Caissa students, understanding their needs from his own experience.
Leonie Ah Chong
2024 - present
Caissa Assistant Arbiter
I’m Leonie, a passionate chess player and Caissa student since middle school.
Over the years, I’ve competed in various tournaments, including international competitions with Team Caissa. My highlight was being runner-up for best girl at the 2023 CTCA tournament in Tainan.
Beyond playing, I stay involved as an arbiter at Caissa tournaments, sharing my passion with younger players.
In the future, I aim to earn my National Arbiter certification and further my chess career.
Aidan, Kiu Chun Wu
2023 - present
Caissa Assistant Trainer
Coach Aidan was introduced to chess at age 6 by his father and grew up training in Caissa’s EGTP program.
A senior at Hong Kong International School, he leads the chess club and tutors STEM subjects. His achievements include 6th at the U16 HK Nationals, board champion at the 2024 HK Inter-school Championships, and 2nd at the 2023 Malvern Open.
Known for his aggressive style and love of the Kalashnikov Sicilian, Aidan also enjoys learning languages and long-distance running.
Discover our team.
Behind every great player is a great coach. Get to know the Caissa team — expert chess trainers with a passion for teaching.
David Garceran Nieuwenburg
2012 - present
Founder and Managing Director
David holds Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Japanology.
As a youth in the Netherlands, he earned a National Club Team title and received training from IM Cor van Wijgerden, co-creator of the Step Method.
David has played competitively in several countries and was briefly President of the Hong Kong Chess Federation in 2015.
A FIDE National Instructor and HKCFL National Arbiter, he is passionate about promoting chess through teaching and organizing events locally and abroad.
IM Matthew Tan
2018 - present
Branch Manager Discovery Bay Centre
Head of Training
Coach Matthew is an International Master with a degree in mathematics.
A former youth national champion, he has represented his country in European Championships and has over a decade of coaching experience, including work with the Dutch Step-by-Step Method.
A certified FIDE Trainer since 2018, Matthew blends his teaching background with his chess expertise.
He enjoys reading, indoor soccer, and fitness in his spare time.
Eduard Garcia Carles
2019 - present
Branch Manager Sheung Wan Centre
Head of Business Alignment
Coach Eduard is a FIDE Instructor with academic and and four postgraduate (including Master’s) degrees in Piano performance.
Introduced to chess at a young age, he rose to second place in his local club during his teens. A top-10 player in Hong Kong with a 1900+ FIDE rating, Eduard favors tactical play and the Spanish Opening.
He has taught students of all ages across Spain, the UK, UAE, and Hong Kong, blending his passion for teaching with deep knowledge in both music and chess.
WFM Astrid Barbier
2024 - present
Senior Trainer
Coach Astrid holds degrees in adult education and gender & diversity.
Introduced to chess at age 4, she grew up in a chess-playing family and became a multiple-time Belgian Women Champion.
A national team member since 2015, she earned the title of Women Fide Master at the Olympiad in India by scoring 6/9. With over 10 years of coaching experience, she has taught in schools, led camps, and represented Belgium at major events.
Outside of chess, Astrid enjoys nature, sports, and creative pursuits.
CM Emile Boucquet
2024 - present
Senior Trainer
Coach Emile began his competitive chess journey at age 11 and went on to win numerous youth tournaments, including becoming a four-time Flemish Youth Champion.
With a peak FIDE rating of 2270, he is a Candidate Master aiming for the FM title. Known for his strong opening preparation and creative play, Emile shares his passion through coaching in Hong Kong.
Trained in the Step Method and with a background in education, he brings both expertise and enthusiasm to every lesson.
Outside of chess, he enjoys hiking, music, and sports.
Lo Cheuk Wai Sunny
2024 - present
Trainer
Coach Sunny holds degrees in English Language & Literature and Marketing.
A chess club founder and entrepreneur from the Philippines, he has played for over 20 years and represented Hong Kong in major events like the Asia Dragons Invitational and Asian Team Tournament.
Known for his attacking style, he has earned strong results locally and abroad. Now back in Hong Kong, he brings his coaching and playing experience to Caissa.
Previous Coaches.
Once a Caissa coach, always a Caissa family member! Below a list of our previous coaches whom we thank a lot for their excellent and passionate contribution to our chess center and our students.
Alexander Wagner
2021 -2024
Part Time Trainer
Coach Alex holds a degree in Sociology and Business Communication.
He started chess at 8 and was U12 district/state champion in East Germany, later placing 3rd nationally with his club team.
After a career in business and software consulting, he returned to competitive chess in Luxembourg before joining Caissa as a part-time coach.
A FIDE Developmental Instructor, Alex favors a quiet, strategic style and enjoys hiking and cheering for the New York Knicks.
Kutsebeshchenko Dmitry
2022 -2023
Part Time Trainer
Coach Dmitry holds an engineering degree from Bauman Moscow State Technical University.
With a FIDE rating of 2169, he has 20+ years of playing experience and has coached players of all ages and levels in English and Russian.
A former pro, Dmitry won several top youth events in Russia and was trained by world-class coaches like Dvoretsky and Karpov's team.
As a university team captain and experienced coach, he’s passionate about sharing his deep chess knowledge.
CM David Rivas Villa
2017 - 2018
Senior Trainer
Coach David has a master degree in Industrial Engineering. With a FIDE rating of 2154 (max FIDE rating 2260 in 2008), David is currently one of the highest rated players in Hong Kong and he has extensive tournament play experience since his youth in Spain and upon joining Caissa also in Hong Kong now.
In 1999, he played the World Chess Championship U-16. He has trained, when they were young, important Spanish players like GM Anton Guijarro and GM Salgado Lopez. His hobbies are Sports, computers, fantastic novel and films. He is a Real Madrid’s fan.
David was instrumental in the early stages of Caissa, for example, setting up with Alberto the Elite Group Training Program - a first in Hong Kong.
David is back in Spain now.
Fong Li
Apr - Jun 2023
Senior Trainer
Coach Fong Li is about to finish her Master’s degree in Clinical Neuropsychology. She taught chess in the Netherlands for eight years, and as head coach of the youth chess club in her hometown she is very familiar with training youth players of various levels, also using the Step Method.
She is most passionate about teaching children chess, and hopes to also inspire more girls to start playing chess. She joined the Caissa team in April. In the future, she aims to work as a psychologist helping children cope with their daily struggles.
Apart from chess, Fong Li enjoys boxing and exploring new places.
IM Marcos Llaneza Vega
2018 - 2022
Senior Trainer (Master)
Coach Marcos studied Geography and History in Spain. He began chess at age 4 and became Spanish Champion in multiple youth categories.
He has competed in European and World Youth Championships and won international tournaments across Europe and Asia. A coach since age 15, Marcos has trained students of all levels—some became IMs, GMs, or Spanish Champions.
A key figure in Caissa’s training program, he now lives in Spain and continues to pursue his passion for chess and travel.
GM Alexander Ipatov
22 Aug 2017
World Youth Champion 2013
GM Ipatov, former Youth World Champion, is providing some Caissa students with online classes - although he is busy with his studies at the moment, if you are interested in his training, you can contact him directly at ipatovo@slu.edu.
GM Ipatov's 5-Year Anniversary Testimonial:
"Being exposed to the chess world since a young age, I had a chance to travel to different countries for tournaments, simul exhibitions and lectures. I can say with certainty - it is an arduous task to find someone within the chess world who would be as trustworthy and professional as David. It is always a pleasure to do projects with David and Caissa HK!"