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The Auckland Chess Academy Experience
The Auckland Chess Academy Experience
The Auckland Chess Academy Ltd., was founded by Manoj and Lahiru in 2025 in Orakei to support chess enthusiasts and aspiring chess players, providing more opportunities to learn and grow.
The Auckland Chess Academy Ltd., was founded by Manoj and Lahiru in 2025 in Orakei to support chess enthusiasts and aspiring chess players, providing more opportunities to learn and grow.
We are coaching kids in three West Auckland schools (the second iteration is in progress).
We conducted the NZCF Interschool Chess Championships for Central and West Auckland Regions in 2025, and now we're gearing up for the same Regions in 2026.
Our Online Chess Coaching Program, which we launched in Feb 2026, is still in progress.
Your Coaches
Your Coaches
Manoj Asrani
I have been coaching in NZ online and over the board for 5 years. As a coach, my goal is to inspire and guide others on their own chess journeys, helping them build confidence and elevate their game to new heights.
I have been coaching in NZ online and over the board for 5 years. As a coach, my goal is to inspire and guide others on their own chess journeys, helping them build confidence and elevate their game to new heights.
I am a passionate and dedicated chess player with several years of experience in both competitive play and coaching. My father bought me my first chess set. Although he did not know how to play, he encouraged me to learn chess as a “brain building” exercise. Over the years, chess has become more than just a game to me— it has developed my strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. I got my FIDE rating in NZ.
I am a passionate and dedicated chess player with several years of experience in both competitive play and coaching. My father bought me my first chess set. Although he did not know how to play, he encouraged me to learn chess as a “brain building” exercise. Over the years, chess has become more than just a game to me— it has developed my strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. I got my FIDE rating in NZ.
My experience spans from competing in school, college tournaments to local chess competitions, where I have developed an understanding of various playing styles, opening theories, and endgame strategies.
My experience spans from competing in school, college tournaments to local chess competitions, where I have developed an understanding of various playing styles, opening theories, and endgame strategies.
I am desirous to continue competing at higher levels of chess while deepening my knowledge of advanced strategies. It gives me pleasure to announce the founding of the Auckland Chess Academy, to expand my coaching program to mentor and develop future chess leaders, encouraging students to pursue competitive play and contribute to the chess community in meaningful ways.
I am desirous to continue competing at higher levels of chess while deepening my knowledge of advanced strategies. It gives me pleasure to announce the founding of the Auckland Chess Academy, to expand my coaching program to mentor and develop future chess leaders, encouraging students to pursue competitive play and contribute to the chess community in meaningful ways.
Lahiru Weligamage
Some of my key achievements in the arbitration space include;
Some of my key achievements in the arbitration space include;
➭ FIDE-accredited NZ National Arbiter
➭ Deputy Chief Arbiter - NZ Women's Chess Championship in 2024 and 2025
➭ Arbiter - 132nd NZ Chess Congress '25 (Junior, Age Group and U1000)
➭ 2025 Interschools for the West Auckland and Central Auckland regions (Secondary, Intermediate, and Primary)
I have been a chess enthusiast from a young age. Playing online chess is part of my daily routine, but I also regularly play over the board at the chess club and in interclubs.
I have been a chess enthusiast from a young age. Playing online chess is part of my daily routine, but I also regularly play over the board at the chess club and in interclubs.
I have represented and led University and College teams, so I am familiar with the responsibilities and challenges that come with team leadership. Some of my key contributions to teams are as follows;
I have represented and led University and College teams, so I am familiar with the responsibilities and challenges that come with team leadership. Some of my key contributions to teams are as follows;
➭ University Colours (similar to ~NZ Blues Awards) for Chess in multiple years
➭ 3rd place team - Chess - Inter-University Games '04, Sri Lanka - Represented the University of Kelaniya
➭ Vice-captain - Chess - University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
➭ Grand Asian Chess Challenge 8/ World Inter-Varsity Chess Championship '03, Malaysia - Represented the University of Kelaniya team
➭ Captain - Chess Club - St. Joseph's College, Colombo, Sri Lanka
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