Maybe it was the product of a hyper-active imagination. Maybe it was destiny. It's impossible to tell for sure. But when Grandmaster Sipke Ernst was a 6-year-old, he began dreaming about chess.
Ernst didn't pick up the game until he was 9. But since then, he never looked back!
Today, Ernst is a leading grandmaster in the Netherlands. One whose peak rating of 2606 FIDE and combative playing style made him a dangerous opponent for anyone. He also enjoyed top three finishes in the 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2017 Dutch Chess Championships.
A native of Damwâld, Ernst moved to Groningen as a student to earn his Master's degree in Dutch Language and Culture from the University of Groningen. His educational background would've made a fine journalist out of him if he didn't become a chess pro.
Fortunately, the 64 squares were never too far in Groningen. In fact, Ernst won the city's annual chess festival six times. Which made him the "local chess hero."
While still an active player — especially in European open tournaments and leagues — Ernst now spends a good chunk of his time coaching students and authoring chess courses.
Since 2001, he has been a certified coach for the Dutch chess federation. And in 2018, he became a licensed FIDE trainer — which is one of the highest official titles a coach can attain, next only to FIDE senior trainer.
With over 20 years of coaching experience and counting, it's no surprise Ernst also thrives as an author.
Drawing from his hard-won knowledge, he has created chess strategy training videos and opening repertoires. Many of which feature the very same lines he has played or prepared in his analysis lab.
So dig into Ernst's Chessable courses. And see for yourself the game-changing instruction that could've only come from someone who "walks the talk" and knows how to teach it.