With just a week left until the Chess Punks Tournament Finals, we’re moving full-steam ahead with our chess improvement series Coach’s Corner. 

Today’s featured coach is International Master Andras Toth. A veteran chess coach, popular streamer and fan-favorite Chessable author, Chess Coach Andras is always insightful. Known for his commitment to teaching chess principles and correct thought processes, his teachings are particularly valuable for beginners. 

Here’s the coach’s top chess improvement tips: 

What is your coaching philosophy?

My coaching philosophy is heavily focused on grounding students in strong chess principles (Put ya pieces in da CENTAH!!!), which will serve them for the rest of their chess careers. I am also a strong proponent of rigorously honing calculation skills through puzzles, endgame studies, and calculation exercises. I like to put a heavy focus on analyzing students’ games and formulating a coaching plan based on the particular strengths and weaknesses of each student. 

Suppose a player has only 3 hours a week for chess training. How should they spend their time?

50% calculation exercises (note that this includes some endgames), 25% - 25% opening theory and endgame studies.

What is the biggest factor for improvement for players under 1200 (Chess.com)? Under 2000?

U1200: The greatest factor is reducing tactical blunders, which is mostly accomplished by putting heavy focus on pattern recognition and solving puzzles. 

Above 1200, in addition to the above advice, we need to start focusing on implementing chess principles and sharpening calculation skills. On this level, developing a reliable opening repertoire becomes much more important.

What is your preferred way to improve at tactics and strategy?

Tactics are best improved by solving puzzles rigorously (and other solving exercises such as endgame studies). It should be a daily/weekly routine depending on time available. It is important to also ensure that we solve using the correct method, which is that at all times the student is expected to deliver complete lines and conclusive evaluations. 

What is your preferred way to improve your openings? What approach to chess openings do you teach your students? 

In general, I prefer to opt for opening repertoires that expose students to a wide range of structures and strategies. As such, I tend to avoid system setups and encourage students to play openings which offer them a richer and more enjoyable experience. 

What is your preferred way to improve your endgames?

My preferred method of improving endgame technique is first and foremost to analyze and correct the students’ endgames which occur in their games. Second, I like to rely on endgame books and deeply analyze examples from them. 

Andras’ Courses:

If Andras’ advice resonated with you, make sure you check out his Chessable course! He has complete courses on the chess principles he talks about above, and you can try out his lesson on King Safety below for free - as well as two of his popular opening courses. 

Short & Sweet: 1.e4 for Beginners Your first step to a simple yet comprehensive and principle opening repertoire for White! Also available in 1.d4. 

Short & Sweet: 1.e4 e5 for Beginners The sample simple yet comprehensive opening knowledge, but for Black! Be sure to also check out the repertoire against 1.d4. 

Andras Toth: Free King Safety Lesson Learn to take advantage of an opponent’s neglected king safety with this lesson on king hunts