Chess as Lifelong passion and be winner in life

Hello and Greetings to all chess family of this forum

Here I am again after 10 months that I have started email daily (almost) lessons with Chien !

The one and most important thing that I must say is that I am more than satisfied . The quality of tests/lessons and discussing is high . Even if solutions are not satisfactory Chien is never giving it to me from the first moments. He insists and tries to lead my thought and focus on the right point !! This has increased my visualization and the way that I approach on the game to the best !!! I have become more trustful and sure about my game and plans .

Chien is also following my fulfilled games and corrects my mistakes because all of us are learning from that (as it is in real life )

From here I want to send him a big thank for the help and for the friendship 

Sakis

(May Kaissa be with us )

https://www.chess.com/play/tournament/5729795

Fantastic instructor for my family! I recommend him to all my friends! We have taken 40+ lessons with him.

Another opportunity for any improvers in all level and age

to practice serious classical time control games

in Swiss online tourneys (held since May 2022 and keep getting bigger & stronger).

Swiss 90m+30s new cycle. Info and to register at:

https://www.chess.com/clubs/forum/view/14th-cycle-of-swiss-90m-30s-1-rd-every-2-weeks-start-on-sep-08-2025

👍

A very interesting chronicle from my latest student that just come back to chess after 30 years of hiatus

https://www.chess.com/blog/LordLuck-wm/a-new-journey-after-30-year-hiatus

I shared my feedback & own story in the comment section of his writing blog there.

* and his second blog writing and my feedback in comment section

https://www.chess.com/blog/LordLuck-wm/bots-beginner-finally-all-beaten

Yes, that's me. I'm taking the long road. I imagine myself improving myself in my own chess club, using the U.S. school system. Throughout my Freshman-Sophomore-Junior-Senior year. Or 1st year-2nd year-3rd year-4th year for many outside the U.S.. I'm an office worker with a young baby boy, so with my limited time I'm just being conservative and aiming to be a strong social chess player by the time I pass my Senior year.

Chien here is one of my coach. So far, he puts me on the right track.

For those who can't afford the time or fund for weekly regular live session,

* There is a program (Correspondent Course by email) that has helped dozens of beginners - intermediate - early advance level players for almost recent 3 years.

Depend on the student's level, I might start with middle game attacking pattern/ positional motif etc. I seldom start with opening phase unless it's related with middle game plan.

I am also developing Endgame series that will cover all basics that any intermediate players should know by heart.

eg starting with K with multi pawns at each side, where 1 side has 1 extra pawn, then K+1 pawn vs lone K with various application in the real game

More detail at https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-lessons/interactive-q-a-daily-course-by-email?page=2#comment-121747158

** Besides being a chess instructor since year 2006,

I am also founder of 90m+30s Classical Chess Club https://www.chess.com/club/90m-30s 

and TD (Tournament Director) of Classical Swiss 90+30s / 45m+45s / 60m+30s for almost 4 years since April 2022.

More detail at: https://www.chess.com/blog/fhunfi/reasons-to-join-90m-30s-chess-com-online-chess-club 

*** List of all my services:

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-lessons/for-anyone-who-would-like-to-practice-90m-30s?page=6#comment-99708007

For anyone (or parent for their kid) who need an individual realistic tournament-style experience with long time controls 45m+45s / 60m+30s / 90m+30s with person you can trust, pls contact @fhunfi

Review: https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-lessons/for-anyone-who-would-like-to-practice-90m-30s#comment-89697211

Complete list of my services: https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-lessons/for-anyone-who-would-like-to-practice-90m-30s?page=6#comment-99708007

Happy New Year 2026 to all chess players and enthusiasts! May your 2026 be filled with brilliant strategies, minimal blunders, and winning games, both on and off the board.

Every chess player must experience tilt or rough days soon or later or occassionally in their chess journey.

The unmanaged negative emotions turn a potentially rewarding hobby into a source of pressure, unhealthy focus on results, and not often an abrupt desire to quit chess rather than the intrinsic joy of the game.

Learning to accept losses as essential learning opportunities and focusing on the process can help maintain a positive relationship with chess

I have gathered all quotes and advices related in this link
https://www.chess.com/blog/LordLuck-wm/happy-new-year-2026?page=1#comment-123800830

It is my comment in the commentary section of my student's blog writing. 
He just came back to chess few months ago after 30 years of hiatus.

Enjoy every moment of your chess journey.

While below quote sounds not the most ambitious quote, but it is the most down to earth. 
"Relax, enjoy chess, improve. And if it doesn't come, at least you enjoy it"

If you can allocate 10–15 minutes per day (it does not have to be daily if your schedule is tight—the pace is fully flexible), I will personally guide you through this program.

I have helped many beginner, intermediate, and early advanced players improve their chess skills.

The only prerequisite is fluency in reading and writing chess notation, as our communication will take place via regular email exchanges.

Consistent effort and dedication are essential to achieve optimal results.

For details of the program and review, please visit:
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-lessons/interactive-q-a-daily-course-by-email

Try the program risk-free—no payment required for the first month if it doesn’t meet your expectations.

The core of this training is Active learning 

instead of the opposite way 'Passive leaning' (reading book / game annotation, watching video, browsing engine lines, solve puzzle by guessing, where you collect knowledge but your decision-making doesn’t improve)

Each question will be designed tailor made, according to student's need / level

and will be replied personally in friendly manner on daily base.

Think of having personal trainer, and even personal assistant that willing to answer other chess questions outside the course, e.g. preparing upcoming match or discussing/ analyzing your finished game.

* Tips for best outcome out of this training:

(A) Put pieces in real physical chess board. and try to solve by looking at it without moving pieces as if a real tournament (Over The Board / OTB) situation. and thinks few moves ahead (not satisfied with a linear answer only, but always assume opponent's all possible branches).

(B) Feel no pressure. Relax, have fun while learning.

You have full control of your own pace, as I will only respond back after you replied my last question.

(C) Some questions can be solved under 10 - 15 min.

but in some other more difficult, where you might not get inspiration yet within 10 - 15 min in one day, then you need not to push too hard, you can leave it for another day, sometime the inspiration is not coming right away.

or after 10 - 15 min on that day, you can share anything you thought, so I will know your thought process (strength, weakness) better.

even you can say 'I am totally blank'. then I will respond with 'very minimal hint' that I will never spoil the fun for you to find they key solution aka "Eureka moment"

A eureka moment, also known as an Aha! moment or eureka effect, refers to the sudden and often unexpected realization of a solution to a problem, or the understanding of a concept that was previously unclear. It's that feeling of sudden clarity and insight, like a lightbulb switching on in your mind. The term originates from the Greek word "heureka," meaning "I have found it," famously used by Archimedes when he was tasked with determining if a crown was made of pure gold or if it had been adulterated with silver. He supposedly realized the solution while taking a bath, noticing the water level rise as he submerged his body. 

(D) I usually reply email under 12 hours

It is very fine and I would not mind at all when you ask (checking with me) if after more than 12 hours you haven't got my reply yet because I might occasionally overlook your email amid my other plenty emails from others.

Okay, this is my update review for the Weekly Live Class with Chien. It's very helpful, really. The usual routine is that Chien will let us review my old games, what have gone wrong, and his suggestion to improve in certain area. Many times he could point out a good trick or two that I've missed during my gameplay. Interestingly, many of my mistakes are actually basic tactics that I overlooked, or miscalculation on my side. Chien is also available outside our zoom session, so I often dm his on my completed games for possible inputs. The replies are rather fast, often in the same day when I ask him. This is the one that I found it very useful with Chien, that he could point out my mistakes and how to fix it. I've been with different mentors many times, on chess and other fields. I found out the ones I could rely on outside lesson hours are the one I would put my money on again and again.

I have been taking classes with Chien for close to almost 2 years now and I have to say that not only he is a great teacher, very patient and understanding with their students but also a very good friend in time of need.

Due to some technical ongoing issues which I have been facing with Paypal andWestern Union I was unable to pay for my classes and in my time of need he offered to give me free sessions till I was able to solve my issue and also gave me another method of payment which was very creative and really helped me get back into my lessons.

He always stands by your side and never gives up on you, in your games, lessons as well as in real problems you may be facing. He's always there to understand and offer a solution