Instructor Perspectives: Zach Werstil’s Chess Journey
For Zach Werstil, chess has always been more than just a game—it’s been a challenge, a passion, and a lifelong teacher. His journey began at the age of three, when his dad introduced him to the game. Countless matches followed, with his dad giving himself starting disadvantages to keep things balanced. But young Zach was determined to improve. By second grade, he was ready to take chess seriously and joined an after-school chess program.
That year, Zach and his dad struck a deal: if Zach could beat him—while his dad played without his queen—by the end of the school year, he’d earn $100. After months of practice, Zach finally pulled it off just before summer break. “Looking back, beating someone without a queen wasn’t the biggest achievement—but at the time, it felt huge,” he recalls. More than the money or the win, it was the sense of accomplishment and the special bond with his dad that made the moment unforgettable.
The Beauty of How Others Think
When asked about his favorite chess memory, Zach doesn’t point to trophies or tournament wins. Instead, he highlights the simple yet profound experience of observing how people approach the game differently. “It’s fascinating to see how someone’s mind works through a challenge, how their thought process unfolds on the board,” he says. This curiosity about people’s problem-solving approaches is what keeps chess endlessly engaging for him.
Lessons Beyond the Board
Chess has equipped Zach with critical life skills—patience, resilience, and strategic thinking—but the most impactful lesson has been empathy. Sitting across from countless opponents, Zach realized that no matter how different people may seem, they’re all working toward a similar goal: finding the best possible move. “It made me see the common ground we all share. Everyone’s trying to move forward in their own way,” he explains.
Teaching With Purpose
As a chess instructor, Zach’s goal is to instill a love for the game in his students. He finds joy in watching how each student uniquely absorbs concepts and navigates the game. “If they fall in love with chess, they’ll naturally pick up patience, problem-solving, and resilience,” he notes. His teaching philosophy centers on helping students appreciate the game’s depth and encouraging them to see every move as an opportunity to grow.
One of his favorite teaching strategies is deceptively simple: mirroring his student’s moves while playing as Black. It challenges them to break predictable patterns and forces creative thinking. “The best part is seeing their excitement when they finally outmaneuver me. That ‘aha’ moment is priceless,” he shares.
Advice for Young Players
Zach offers a key piece of advice for those just starting their chess journey: treat both wins and losses as learning opportunities. While it’s common to reflect on losses, Zach emphasizes the importance of analyzing victories too. “Wins can teach you just as much—if not more—about your strengths and potential weaknesses. Take the time to reflect on what worked and how you can improve even further,” he advises.
Overcoming Challenges
Patience and overconfidence have been Zach’s biggest hurdles in chess and life. Early on, he rushed moves and underestimated opponents, leading to careless mistakes. Chess, however, became his greatest teacher, pushing him to slow down, think critically, and manage his impulsive tendencies. “Chess humbled me,” he admits. “It showed me that improvement never stops, no matter how good you think you are.”
A Fun Fact
Beyond the chessboard, Zach is an avid traveler—he’s been to five different continents, each trip broadening his perspective and fueling his curiosity about the world.
Through teaching chess, Zach Werstil not only helps students master strategies and tactics but also inspires them to see the game as a mirror of life—full of challenges, opportunities, and endless chances to learn. His story is a reminder that chess isn’t just about winning or losing—it’s about growth, connection, and the lifelong lessons found in every move.
Stay tuned for more stories from our Instructor Perspectives series, where we dive into the unique journeys of Queens Gambit’s incredible chess instructors.
