For Amateurs: Helping chess players reach 2000+ ELO while building fitness habits that promote longevity through FitChess Academy.
For Professionals: Training systems designed for professional chess players and e-sport athletes who need sharper focus, faster decisions, and stronger resilience.
Hi! I’m Kelvin Finke, a strength and conditioning coach and 3x Australian Age Group Chess Champion. My experience working with clients in sports performance has deepened my appreciation for training that promotes longevity, highlighting the vital balance between mental and physical fitness. I believe that to truly excel in chess, we must also prioritise our physical well-being. This understanding inspired me to create FitChess Academy, a community where we combine the strategic depth of chess with the principles of health and fitness for a holistic approach to growth.
At FitChess Academy, our mission is clear: we help people achieve lasting health and mental resilience by challenging themselves physically and mentally. Chess sharpens focus, strategic thinking, and discipline, while fitness strengthens the body, boosts mental clarity, and builds stamina. Together, they create a foundation for a vibrant, long life.
I’m here to support you on your journey, whether you’re aiming to improve your chess skills, build a healthier lifestyle, or both. Let’s work together to make each move and workout count toward a stronger, smarter you. Join us and experience how combining chess and fitness can take you to new heights!

At the highest levels of cognitive competition, performance depends on far more than opening preparation, mechanics, or raw talent. It depends on the body’s ability to sustain intense focus, regulate stress, and recover rapidly between demanding sessions.
Modern research in neuroscience and sport science is clear: physical conditioning directly influences cognitive endurance, reaction speed, and the mental resilience required for long match formats and high-stakes decision-making. When the body is strong, stable, and well-conditioned, the mind can operate with sharper clarity and for longer periods without decline. My work with professionals combines sport science, strength training, and cognitive load management to help competitors withstand pressure, maintain composure, and perform consistently across long tournaments and seasons. This is not general fitness, it is a structured, evidence-based approach to engineering the physical foundation behind elite mental performance.
Whether you’re pushing for higher FIDE rankings or climbing the top tiers of e-sports competition, your body is the engine that powers every decision, every calculation, and every moment of focus. My role is to make that engine as strong, efficient, and resilient as possible so you can compete at your absolute peak.
















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