Building Strong Minds
Through Chess
Professional chess coaching for children and adults, online worldwide and one-on-one in Dubai, led by FIDE Candidate Master & FIDE Instructor Musatwe Simutowe.
Start with a free trial lesson. Meet Coach Musa, find your level and get a clear next step. No obligation.
Meet Coach Musatwe Simutowe
Coach Musa is a FIDE Candidate Master and FIDE Instructor with more than 20 years of experience coaching chess players of every age and level. He founded ChessPath Academy in 2015 and now coaches students online worldwide, alongside private one-on-one lessons in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
His coaching experience spans complete beginners taking their first steps, young children discovering the game, school and club players, tournament competitors, students working toward their first FIDE rating, and advanced players sharpening calculation, tactics and endgame technique. His own playing career at international level feeds directly into every lesson.
- 2015Founded ChessPath Academy
- 2016Represented Zambia at the Chess Olympiad, Baku
- 2018Represented Zambia at the Chess Olympiad, Batumi
- AfricaRepresented Zambia at the African Chess Championships
- TitlesFIDE Candidate Master and FIDE Instructor
A Grand Legacy
Musatwe is the elder brother of Grandmaster Amon Simutowe, the first Grandmaster from sub-Saharan Africa. That chess pedigree flows through every lesson.
Every student has a different ChessPath.
Lessons are adapted to the student's age, experience, goals and playing level, never one-size-fits-all. Patient, child-friendly teaching for young learners, serious preparation for tournament players.
ChessPath Academy doesn't just teach children how to play chess. It helps them learn how to think.
What students build, beyond the moves
A Program for Every Stage
From a child's very first move to advanced tournament preparation, every program is built around the student in front of Coach Musa.
Young Beginners
Fun, structured chess lessons designed to introduce children to chess through games, puzzles, stories and practical exercises.
Junior Chess Development
For children who already know the basics and want to improve their tactical awareness, calculation and game understanding.
Tournament Preparation
Structured training for players preparing for school, club, national and FIDE-rated tournaments.
Rating Improvement Program
Personalized training for players who want to improve their Chess.com or FIDE rating.
Adult Chess Coaching
Private lessons for adults from beginner to advanced level, fitted around a busy schedule.
Advanced Competitive Coaching
Customized training covering opening preparation, tactical sharpness, calculation, positional understanding, endgame technique, game analysis and tournament preparation.
Every program is tailored to the individual student. Message Coach Musa to discuss scheduling and pricing for your goals.
Two Ways to Learn With Coach Musa
Learn Chess From Anywhere in the World
ChessPath Academy provides personalized online chess lessons using platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, wherever you are. Lesson times are arranged around your time zone.
Private Chess Coaching in Dubai
ChessPath Academy offers one-to-one in-person chess coaching in any area of Dubai, including family homes, subject to availability.
From first lesson to steady progress
Free trial lesson
Meet Coach Musa online or in person. He looks at strengths, weaknesses and goals.
Personalized plan
Training built around age, level and goals, with a clear starting point in the curriculum.
Weekly lessons
One-to-one lessons with tactical training and game analysis.
Practice between lessons
Homework and training exercises reinforce each lesson.
Progress reviews
Regular reviews keep training on course, with tournament preparation when you are ready.
A Structured Chess Journey
Students progress through carefully designed levels, each building on the one before it.
Chess Foundations
Board setup, piece movement, captures, check, checkmate and basic rules.
Outcome: Plays a complete game by the rules and can give checkmate. The starting point for every new student.
Tactical Thinking
Forks, pins, skewers, double attacks, removing the defender and basic combinations.
Outcome: Spots forks, pins, skewers and double attacks in their own games. Before this level: Chess Foundations.
Strategic Thinking
Development, center control, king safety, pawn structure, weak squares and planning.
Outcome: Develops pieces, controls the center, keeps the king safe and makes a simple plan. Before this level: Tactical Thinking.
Calculation
Candidate moves, visualization, calculation techniques and evaluating positions.
Outcome: Looks at candidate moves and checks them move by move before playing. Before this level: Strategic Thinking.
Endgames
King and pawn endings, rook endings, basic theoretical positions and technical conversion.
Outcome: Converts a won king and pawn or rook ending and knows key drawn positions. Before this level: Calculation.
Competitive Chess
Opening preparation, tournament strategy, game analysis, clock management and practical decision making.
Outcome: Prepares openings, manages the clock and reviews tournament games. Before this level: Endgames.
Inside a ChessPath Lesson
Moments from lessons and training.
What Families Are Saying
Test Your Chess!
Can you find the best move?
The black king is boxed in by its own pawns. White has one move that ends the game immediately.
Enjoy puzzles like this? Coach Musa can build a training plan around the student.
Book a Free Trial LessonMore puzzles and interactive lessons are coming soon through the ChessPath Lessons platform.
Chess from Zero
A short first lesson for complete beginners: the board, the six kinds of pieces and the goal of the game. Press play with the sound on.
See our work: sample student materials
A look at what every ChessPath student receives: lesson recaps, practice worksheets, an endgame worksheet and the six-level curriculum. Samples show no student names or results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages do you teach?+
ChessPath Academy teaches children from approximately age 4+, as well as teenagers and adults.
Do you offer online lessons?+
Yes. Online coaching is available worldwide, and lesson times are arranged around your time zone.
Do you offer in-person lessons?+
Yes. Private in-person coaching is available in Dubai, subject to availability.
Can beginners join?+
Yes. Complete beginners are welcome.
What happens in the free trial lesson?+
You meet Coach Musa, he looks at the student's current level and goals, and recommends a starting point. There is no obligation to continue.
Do you prepare students for tournaments?+
Yes. Training can include tournament preparation, game analysis, tactics, calculation and practical tournament skills.
Can you help students improve their rating?+
Yes. Training can be customized around the student's current level and rating goals. Progress depends on practice, age and goals, so ChessPath Academy does not promise specific rating gains.
How long is the free trial lesson?+
The free trial lesson lasts 30 to 45 minutes. It is one-to-one with Coach Musa, with no obligation to continue.
How long is a lesson?+
Each lesson is 60 minutes, one-to-one with Coach Musa, online or in person in Dubai.
How often do students have lessons?+
Most students come once or twice a week, depending on their goals and how quickly they want to progress. Coach Musa will suggest a schedule that suits the student.
Can I cancel or reschedule a lesson?+
Yes. Please give at least 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule a lesson, so the time can be offered to another student.
What days and hours do you teach?+
Coach Musa teaches seven days a week, in Dubai time (GMT+4): mornings and evenings from Monday to Friday, and a full day on Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 11:30 PM. Weekends are early mornings and evenings. The lesson hours table in the booking section lists every slot and can show them in your own time zone.
How much do lessons cost?+
Pricing depends on the program, lesson length and format. Message Coach Musa on WhatsApp or by email for current rates.
How do I book a lesson?+
Start with a free trial lesson. Use the form below, or contact Coach Musa by WhatsApp, phone or email.
Ready to Start Your Chess Journey?
Whether you are completely new to chess, preparing for your next tournament, or looking to take your game to the next level, ChessPath Academy can create a training program around your goals. Your first step is a free trial lesson, with no obligation.
Check the time where you are
Pick a time in your time zone. You will see what it is in Dubai, then you can send it with your request.
A request only. The lesson is booked once Coach Musa confirms the time with you. Daylight-saving changes are handled automatically.
Lesson hours and what to expect
Lesson hours
Coach Musa teaches seven days a week. These are his regular lesson hours in Dubai time (GMT+4). Choose your time zone to see them where you live.
| Day | Dubai time | Your time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM | |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM | |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM | |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM | |
| Friday | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM | |
| Saturday | 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM 6:00 PM – 11:30 PM | |
| Sunday | 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM 6:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
Each lesson is 60 minutes. Lessons are by request: send your preferred time in the form below and Coach Musa will confirm it.
Your free trial lesson
The free trial lesson is a relaxed 30 to 45 minutes, one-to-one with Coach Musa, with no obligation.
What you need for an online trial
- A laptop, tablet or phone
- A stable internet connection
- Zoom or Microsoft Teams
- A chess set is welcome, but not required
Coach Musa personally answers every enquiry, usually by WhatsApp or email.
Privacy and cancellation
Privacy
When you send the free trial form, your details (name, age, chess level, goals, preferred times and contact details) are emailed to Coach Musa through an email form service. They are used only to reply to your enquiry and to arrange and run lessons.
Parents or guardians are asked to send enquiries for children. To ask for your details to be deleted, email chesspathacademy@gmail.com. If you message by WhatsApp, WhatsApp’s own privacy terms apply.
Cancellation and rescheduling
Please give at least 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule a lesson, so the time can be offered to another student.
Lessons are by request and are confirmed by Coach Musa. The free trial lesson carries no obligation to continue. Lesson fees are agreed directly with Coach Musa before regular lessons begin.
Last updated November 2026.