I though it would be useful to post our opinions about chess coaches found here at chess.com

Anyone else taking lessons from a chess.com coach? If so, share your opinions regarding what you like about your coach. If you wish to post a negative opinion, please do so in the spirit of constructive criticism, so that coaches may read this and learn to improve their teaching methods! 

I am taking lessons from chess.com member GM Rakhmanator. He's a *Great* coach in every sense of the word! He is actually taking university courses to  become a professional chess coach & it really shows in his teaching style.

He is helping to develop my sense of position by reviewing master game positions (many that he played in himself) and clearly explaining the positional & tactical ideas at every step, including methods of how to decide on superior moves myself!  It's like a live version of "Understanding Chess Move By Move" by John Nunn

He is the most knowledgeable and insightful chess player I have ever encountered. Every time we're looking at a position that looks like a complete draw to me, he shows me amazing winning ideas. We're beginning to play training games together. Of course, I expect to get crushed regularly, but what an awesome opportunity to review the games with the same grandmaster you're playing with!! 

natrix> Every time we're looking at a position that looks like a complete draw to me, he shows me amazing winning ideas.

No doubt. He is a strong Grandmaster! :) 

natrix> He is helping to develop my sense of position by reviewing master game positions (many that he played in himself) and clearly explaining the positional & tactical ideas at every step, including methods of how to decide on superior moves myself!  It's like a live version of "Understanding Chess Move By Move" by John Nunn

"Understanding Chess Move by Move" costs a few Euros and covers 30 games. Reviewing 30 games with a GM would cost significantly more... so my question to you is--in what way(s) have you found reviewing it with a GM is significantly better? In what way(s) has he customized your training to meet your individual needs?

In answer to your questions, I have had a couple visits with coaches. Their keen board vision was very insightful, but I'm not convinced regular visits are for me yet. I know what I need to learn next to improve, and I have plenty of material to go through.

likesforests> "Understanding Chess Move by Move" costs a few Euros and covers 30 games. Reviewing 30 games with a GM would cost significantly more... so my question to you is--in what way(s) have you found reviewing it with a GM is significantly better? In what way(s) has he customized your training to meet your individual needs?

Books are infinitely less expensive, but much slower to answer my questions! 

I find the interactive aspect of chess lessons to be highly beneficial. The GM title attached to my coach's name is not nearly as important as the fact that this GM in particular has chosen coaching as his profession. I'm certain that there are many titled players who have poor 'people skills', may be unfriendly, etc. who would make awful coaches. When working with someone who loves what they do, and is well trained to do it, that really shines through. As far as customizing my lessons, he's still getting familiar with everything I don't know. As lessons continue, I'm confident that his recommendations for me will reflect his knowledge of the areas where I need the most improvement. Which are: opening, middlegame, & endgame. 

A coach is much more expensive than a book. But then you get a lot more from a coach. What is the value of regular communication with a strong GM? ... that is a question that everyone will answer differently.

Reddik>GMKjetil A. Lie is my trainer ,he is gooood!!!

Funny!

I.M. Tellin DeTruth was my first coach