On September 26–27, 2026, the Institute of Innovative Education of Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture (KNUCA) hosted the fifth annual Seminar for Chess Coaches, organized by Debut Chess School and its founders and directors, Serhii Mykolaiovych and Serhii Serhiiovych Stavroiani, with the support of the Chess Federation of Ukraine.
The seminar brought together more than 30 professionals from all over Ukraine. During two intensive days of learning, the participants had an opportunity to exchange experience and insights from various areas of professional practice.
This year, among the speakers were Yuliia Strebkova and Zosia Kais, lecturers at the Department of Philosophy of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (KPI).
Yuliia Strebkova spoke about safety in the training process, focusing on potential risks in the work of chess coaches and ways to prevent them. She provided a detailed overview of first aid and, during the practical session, taught the participants how to measure blood pressure correctly. In addition, Yuliia shared many useful recommendations on maintaining physical well-being, healthy sleep and nutrition routines, as well as methods for preventing stress and fatigue.
Zosia Kais spoke about the image of a chess coach and shared some insights into consciously developing a professional image. The discussion focused on the coach’s visual image and personal style, rhetorical image and ways to improve speech technique and communication skills, as well as confident communication with others, corporate image, and the conscious development of one’s informational image.
As always, the seminar was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere of open and sincere communication and exchange of ideas.
Text: Zosia Kais
