Meet the ChessMAX Team 

Nilesh Gohil  - Co-Founder & Safeguarding officer 

Nilesh Gohil is a passionate chess enthusiast and co-founder of ChessMAX Junior Chess Club. Through his vision and dedication, he helped create a community space where children can learn, play, and enjoy chess while making friends and building confidence. 

Peter Richmond – Co-Founder & Head Coach

Peter Richmond is a respected figure in the South of England chess community and a nine-time Wiltshire Chess Champion. With years of experience coaching young players at local clubs and libraries, Peter has inspired countless children to discover the joy of chess. At ChessMAX, he brings his expertise and passion to guide and motivate our junior players every week. 

Mehul Mistry – Chairman & Group 2 Lead

Mehul Mistry joined ChessMAX as a parent volunteer and has been working closely with the Hindu Samaj Swindon Charity to develop the club. He has helped create a structured, welcoming environment for young players, with a vision to grow ChessMAX into a vibrant community that puts Swindon proudly on the chess map. 

Sheik Abdullah Noor Mohammed (Abu)– Secretary & Group 1 Lead

Abu joined ChessMAX as a parent volunteer and brings a strong passion for community service to the team. Previously, he was part of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program in India, where he executed two impactful projects:

• Enabled a bunk shop for disabled individuals to support independence and livelihood.

• Provided cows for people affected by leprosy in Bangalore, helping meet their dairy needs while creating an opportunity to earn income.

With this experience, Abu contributes valuable organisational skills, helping the club run smoothly and supporting its mission to provide a welcoming and enjoyable environment for young chess players.

Jai Karavadra– Treasurer

Jai, a former ChessMAX student, has returned to the club as Treasurer. Currently undertaking an accountancy apprenticeship, he manages the club’s finances with care and dedication, helping ensure ChessMAX continues to run smoothly and support its growing community of young players.

Manikandan Kuzhandaivelu (Mani) – Group Online Lead & Coach

Mani is a parent volunteer and a chess enthusiast who manages our ChessKids online account, providing a safe and engaging environment for children to practice. He also supports both group and individual coaching sessions, helping young players develop their skills and enjoy the game.

Cara Crisp – Safeguarding Officer

Cara Crisp is a parent volunteer and a professional nurse who brings her care and expertise to ChessMAX as our Safeguarding Officer. She ensures a safe and supportive environment for all our young players, helping them enjoy chess with confidence and peace of mind. 

Karl North – Group 3 Leader & Tournament Coordinator

Karl is a valued parent volunteer and an active part of our chess community. He manages Group 3, supporting and encouraging players as they learn and grow together. Karl also helps identify local tournaments, giving our members opportunities to connect with the wider chess community and gain valuable experience. His enthusiasm and dedication help make our club a welcoming and supportive place for everyone. 

Ben Ogunshola– External Chess Ambassador & Tournament Organiser

Ben is an experienced player and tournament organiser, and a member of Swindon Chess Club. With an ECF rating above 2200, he provides expert guidance to both players and volunteers during his visits, inspiring them with his passion and knowledge of the game. Ben also organises the Swindon Congress and Rapid tournaments and helps build connections within the wider chess community, supporting the growth and development of young players and chess enthusiasts alike. 

Junior Coaches

At ChessMAX, we encourage our advanced junior players to help coach Group 1. Our junior coaches, Hayden, Lirush and Dev, give back to the club by providing a valuable community service, sharing their skills and knowledge with younger members. This experience not only helps them develop confidence, communication, teamwork and leadership, but also supports their Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) scheme while serving as role models and strengthening our chess community.