Insights from Chess Coaches Ruben Mashal and Christoph von Puttkamer
Dear Improvers,
In recent Chessable blog posts, two accomplished chess coaches, Ruben Mashal and Christoph von Puttkamer, share their perspectives on teaching strategies and improving at chess.
Ruben Mashal emphasizes the importance of understanding positions deeply rather than relying solely on memorization. He advocates for teaching students to think critically and analyze positions thoroughly, which helps build a strong foundation for real improvement. Mashal also highlights the value of personalized coaching tailored to each player's style and needs.
Christoph von Puttkamer focuses on the importance of mental resilience and consistency in training. He stresses that a balanced approach, combining tactical training with strategic understanding, leads to better results. Von Puttkamer encourages players to develop a disciplined study routine and stay motivated through regular progress tracking.
Both coaches underline that effective learning involves a combination of strategic analysis, mental toughness, and personalized guidance. Their insights offer valuable advice for players aiming to elevate their chess skills and thoughtful, experience‑based guidance in their "Coach's Corner" interviews. While their backgrounds and emphases differ, their strategies contain many complementary lessons for players seeking steady improvement (especially in the 1000–2000 range).
We hope you will enjoy reading their stories and be inspired to try out their recommendations.
