Mentorship is the heart of what I do. Everything else — the app building, the accessibility work — grows out of one belief: that good thinking is teachable, and that the best way to teach it is patiently, one person at a time.
Chess is where I first saw that clearly. The skill that lets a young player stop reacting and start planning — sitting back, picturing a few moves ahead, choosing on purpose — is the same skill that lets an adult navigate a career change or a hard decision with a clear head. The board changes; the thinking doesn't. That's what a mentorship is for: not just answers, but a sturdier way of working through problems that stays with you after we're done.
Who you'd be working with
I'm Danny Wallace — a lifelong chess player and teacher, and a Bay Area technologist. I'm a rated rapid player with a peak of 1857 on Chess.com, I've given free chess lessons, and I once coached and managed a competitive esports team through a world-championship run. From all of it I learned the same lesson: the win isn't the point — helping someone quiet the noise, see the position clearly, and find their next move is. I bring that same patience to mentoring a student, a career-changer, or anyone who wants to think more strategically. You can read more about me, or see how I teach the game on the chess page.
Who mentorship is for
No two people arrive for the same reason. Some common ones:
Children & Teens
Kids and teenagers learning chess, or learning to think — planning ahead, staying calm under pressure, working a problem through. Patient, encouraging teaching, with parents kept in the loop.
Students
Young people who want a mentor beyond the classroom — building focus, study habits, and confidence with technology, at a pace that fits how they actually learn.
Early-Career & Career-Changers
People finding their footing or reinventing their work who want an experienced technologist in their corner — real, durable skill you can show and use.
Strategic Thinkers
Anyone navigating technology or a big decision who simply wants to think more clearly and a few moves further ahead. You don't need a goal on paper to start.
For parents
If you're a parent, you're not just choosing a chess coach or a tutor — you're deciding who spends time each week with your child. I take that seriously.
Lessons are patient and encouraging, never sarcastic or over a child's head. I meet kids at their level, celebrate the small wins, and keep the work genuinely enjoyable — because a child who's enjoying themselves is a child who's learning. You're always welcome to sit in, and for younger children I usually suggest a parent stays nearby. I'll keep you in the loop on what we're working on and how it's going, and my aim is simple: your child leaves each session a little more confident than they arrived.
As with everything at Wallace & Friends, accessibility is built in — including for neurodiverse young people. Pacing, format, and materials adapt to how your child learns best, not the other way around.
What a mentorship looks like
No mystery and no pressure. Whether you're booking for yourself or your child, the shape is the same.
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A free first session
We meet, talk through what you're hoping for, and — if it's chess — play a little so I can see where you are. No obligation, no slide deck; just a friendly first conversation to make sure I'm the right fit.
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A simple plan
I map out a realistic starting point: what's worth focusing on first, what can wait, and what progress will look like for you or your child. You'll understand the plan and the reasoning before we commit to anything.
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Regular sessions, at your pace
One-to-one sessions, in person in San Francisco or online by screen share, typically 60–90 minutes. Weekly is ideal for steady progress, but every other week or the occasional deep dive works too.
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Progress you can see
We keep track of what we're working on, so improvement is something you can actually point to. For young people, that means parents hear how it's going, not just that it happened.
Two easy ways to start
Nothing to lose by reaching out — for you or for your child.
Your first session is free
Every new mentorship client's first session is free — a real conversation (and, for chess, a few games) with no obligation to continue. Book a free call →
50% off when you're referred
New clients referred by someone we already work with get 50% off their first engagement — our thanks to both of you.
Curious about chess specifically — for yourself or your child? The chess page goes deeper on lessons, coaching, and how the game builds the kind of thinking that lasts.