🏆 Meet Our Elite Coaching Team

At TSTChess, we believe that exceptional coaching is the key to mastering the game. We are proud to present an elite team of highly skilled and experienced chess professionals dedicated to your success. Our coaches are expert players and accredited educators, providing instruction tailored for all levels—from enthusiastic beginners to seasoned tournament competitors.

Thiwanka Tissera

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Program Director & Lead Instructor

Thiwanka Tissera

Director and Founder of TSTChess

International Arbiter (IA) National Instructor (NI)

As the Director and Founder of TSTChess, Thiwanka Tissera sets the standard for quality and dedication across all our programs. Thiwanka is a highly credentialed chess professional, holding the titles of International Arbiter (IA) and National Instructor (NI). With over 25 years of extensive experience in chess instruction and organization, he specializes in establishing robust, foundational skills for developing players, particularly those in the 0–1400 rating range. His leadership ensures that every TSTChess student receives a structured, expert-led path to significant improvement.

Over 25 years of chess instruction experience
Specializes in foundational skills for 0–1400 rating range
Sets the standard for quality across all TSTChess programs
GM Timur Gareyev
Top Consultant Coach

GM Timur Gareyev

The Blindfold King

Grandmaster (GM) Guinness World Record Holder

An internationally renowned Grandmaster and a true innovator in the world of chess. GM Gareyev is famously known as "The Blindfold King," holding the Guinness World Record for a 48-board simultaneous blindfold exhibition—a testament to his unparalleled visualization and mental strength. As our Top Consultant Coach, he leverages his elite, comprehensive understanding of the game to guide our training methodology, ensuring our curriculum incorporates the highest level of strategic depth and mental conditioning for all our students.

Guinness World Record: 48-board simultaneous blindfold exhibition
Internationally renowned Grandmaster
True innovator in chess training methodology
IM Alexander Slizhevsky

IM Alexander Slizhevsky

International Master & Champion

International Master (IM) Champion of Siberia

Alexander Slizhevsky is a distinguished International Master (IM) and a highly successful competitive player from Siberia. His achievements include holding the title of Champion of Siberia and being a three-time Champion of Omsk. Demonstrating continued competitive excellence, he recently secured 2nd place in the Goa-2025 tournament. As a TSTChess coach, Alexander focuses on sharp tactical play and complex middle-game strategies, offering students invaluable insights derived directly from his high-stakes tournament experience.

Champion of Siberia
Three-time Champion of Omsk
2nd place in Goa-2025 tournament
Chandana Wijekoon

Chandana Wijekoon

Master & Instructor

Candidate Master (CM) FIDE Instructor (FI)

Chandana Wijekoon is a distinguished trainer bringing both high-level competitive experience and certified instructional expertise to TSTChess. He holds the titles of CM (Candidate Master) and FI (FIDE Instructor). A former Sri Lanka National 'A' Player and Sri Lanka Open Champion, Chandana offers students proven insights into winning strategies and competitive play. He is dedicated to translating his championship experience into practical, clear lessons that accelerate student improvement.

Former Sri Lanka National 'A' Player
Sri Lanka Open Champion
FIDE Certified Instructor
Sanugi Karunarathna

Sanugi Karunarathna

Administrative Secretary & Instructor – Beginner Training

Sanugi Karunarathna is a chess instructor guiding foundation-level players through core concepts such as piece coordination, basic tactics, and opening principles. She was selected for the World School Chess Championship 2023 (U17 Girls) and participated in the Asian School Chess Championships 2023 (Uzbekistan) and 2022 (Sri Lanka), bringing competitive experience and a structured approach to beginner training.

Selected for World School Chess Championship 2023 (U17 Girls)
Participated in Asian School Chess Championships 2023 (Uzbekistan)
Participated in Asian School Chess Championships 2022 (Sri Lanka)

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