Chess Is a Skill — Drive It Daily to Master It

“Chess Is a Skill — Drive It Daily to Master It”

By FIDE Trainer Darko Polimac

Chess is often likened to driving: the more you drive, the better you get—but to become a true driver, you need an instructor; to become a master at chess, you need a coach.

⚙️ Practice Makes Progress

Just like beginner drivers who need hours behind the wheel, chess players need consistent engagement. My formula is simple: play more games, learn more tactics, reflect more deeply—daily. Activity without reflection gains nothing; that's why daily tasks and consistent activity checkups are essential to lasting improvement.

👨‍🏫 Why a Chess Coach Matters

As a FIDE Trainer with over 20 years of experience and more than 3,000 students taught globally—including coaching Ireland’s youngest FIDE Masters and top junior champions—you understand that guidance makes the difference . Even the best players benefit from a coach who helps maintain structure, motivation, and accountability.

A coach helps you:

• Develop habits that eliminate recurring blunders

• Identify blind spots in tactical awareness or calculation

• Build confidence through measurable progress

🛠 Daily Structure via Slack: Why It’s a Game-Changer

Here’s the structured system I use with students:

This structure mirrors how driving schools structure lessons, habits, and reviews. It turns scattered effort into incremental mastery—especially important when a player is in positive form and primed to gain rating points quickly.

🧠 Personal Experience

Reviewing a recent forum post, I shared how deeply ingrained basic habits—like scanning for undefended or hanging pieces—can win entire games . In another post, I emphasize understanding your opponent’s plan as a key habit that separates players who improve from those who stay stuck.

These small but consistent mental habits, supported by daily structure, is exactly how progress compounds.

💼 My Track Record

• Ex‑Head Coach of Ireland’s Junior National Team

• Coach to 14 Irish and 2 British junior champions and three FIDE Masters, including finalists aged just 13–16 Chess.com+1Chess.com+1Chess.com+9chessdom.com+9LinkedIn+9

• Founder of Chess School Polimac—where I taught over 3,000 children across Ireland, many of whom achieved national and international titles Chess.com+15chessdom.com+15LinkedIn+15

🎯 The Formula for Improvement

1. Play often, both online and in over‑the‑board tournaments

2. Complete daily tasks: tactics, analysis, strategic themes

3. Track your progress via Slack and receive feedback

4. Get coach check‑ins to ensure consistency and accountability

Like a driving instructor uses a simulator, video feedback, and tracked practice logs, I use Slack, daily assignment tracking, and real game reviews to make sure every student grows faster.

🚀 Join a System That Works

If you’re serious about making rapid progress—whether you’re rated 800 or 1500 —don’t just practice harder. Practice smarter. With the right daily structure, a clear plan, and regular feedback, you’ll learn not just how to play, but how to think.

Want to join my next training group? I offer personalized coaching, tailored daily tasks, and continuous support via Slack.  Contact me at dpolimac@gmail.com

Student Vincent progress - 10 years old boy from USA in the past 30 days 

Let me show you how to drive your rating forward—and make every game count.

👤 Darko Polimac, FIDE Trainer & Chess Coach