“Could you explore this position a little please - for example, if White plays 12 Rhg1 do we play Rc8… still feels rather unclear?” asked a learner inside the course Master the French Defense. Within 24 hours, NM Bryan Tillis had answered with a model game to guide the student.

Tillis is known as one of the most dedicated and responsive Chessable authors. He is also a professional chess coach with 16 years of experience and the title of FIDE Trainer.

While growing up in Alabama, Tillis had little to no access to chess coaching, so he learned to be resourceful with his chess study in order to win multiple state championship titles. Along the way he picked valuable lessons on chess improvement.

Now based in Florida, Tillis draws from these lessons, whether he is working with scholastic teams, U.S. youth players in international competitions, or with adult improvers. His degrees in sociology and psychology, plus his years as a school teacher, have enriched his instructional style.

What Tillis loves most about coaching is seeing how his students connect the lessons they get from chess, such as discipline and resilience, to other aspects of their lives. “It’s incredibly rewarding when they recognize how chess helped them develop these valuable skills,” he says. “It’s a true testament to the impact chess can have on personal development beyond the board.”

In this interview, NM Bryan Tillis shares advice for chess improvers:

What is your chess coaching philosophy?

My chess coaching philosophy is centered on several key principles. First, I believe that chess is for everyone, regardless of background, and that everyone can benefit from the game. I emphasize a growth mindset, encouraging students to see challenges, losses, and mistakes as opportunities for growth.

Additionally, I value the holistic development that chess promotes, teaching life skills such as discipline, focus, patience, and problem-solving. My approach also focuses on long-term development, understanding that progress in any endeavor is gradual and that lasting improvement takes time. Ultimately, my goal is to create an environment where students not only grow as chess players but also develop valuable life skills they can carry with them beyond the game.

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

If a chess player has only 3 hours a week for training, I would recommend focusing on three key areas. First, they should dedicate time to studying chess tactics, as this is the cornerstone of problem-solving and essential for improving calculation skills. Second, they should prioritize playing games with longer time controls, such as 15-30 minutes per game, rather than fast-paced Bullet or Blitz. This allows the player to actively calculate and solve problems during the game, giving them enough time to process the positions. Lastly, game analysis is crucial for improvement, as it helps the player identify and solve mistakes in all three areas of the game. Combining these activities will ensure steady progress.

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

A big, though underrated, factor for improvement is playing! Consistent practice allows players to encounter a wide range of positions, helping them build experience and improve their decision-making. Equally important is learning from mistakes and applying that knowledge in future games. Players who improve are those who analyze their losses, recognize where they went wrong, and adjust their approach. On the other hand, players who get stuck often repeat the same mistakes without reflection or adaptation.

What is your preferred way to improve at openings? What's the approach to chess openings that you try to teach your students?

My preferred way to improve at openings is through trained repetition and muscle memory, which is why I have my students use Chessable for their opening study. The platform's spaced repetition system helps solidify key opening concepts and move sequences over time. I believe this is a crucial first step toward mastering openings. For my students, I focus on ensuring they understand the basic principles behind their opening choices. Once they are comfortable with these foundational ideas, they can refine their knowledge through consistent practice and repetition.

What is your preferred way to improve at the endgame?

My preferred way to improve at the endgame is through active, hands-on learning. I train with a partner of a similar skill level using positions from an endgame textbook. We play the position out, discuss the moves and ideas behind them, then swap colors and play it again, reinforcing our understanding. Afterward, we check the solution in the text to see what we missed and review what we've learned. This approach takes time, but I believe that active learning is the best way to make complex endgame concepts stick. Repetition, reflection, and understanding the underlying principles during these practice sessions are key to making progress.

What would you like to add regarding chess improvement?

My advice for ambitious chess players is to not get too caught up in ratings. While ratings are a useful measure of progress, they can also become a source of frustration if you focus solely on them. Instead, prioritize consistently working on improving your game. Improvement takes time, and it’s important to enjoy the process of learning and growing, rather than just aiming for a specific rating. With patience, dedication, and a commitment to continual improvement, the ratings will naturally follow.

Bryan Tillis’ Courses

NM Bryan Tillis has published several courses on Chessable and in 2023, he was shortlisted for Best Author Support. For him, courses are "living documents," which is why he strives to update them consistently and address questions in a timely manner. This dedication to support the students in his courses has been widely praised by the community.

Check out his Chessable author page.