How to choose the right chess coach?

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Avatar of wesonchess

I am looking for a chess coach. I am be making this out to be more complicated than it really is considering my low rating but I am curious to know.

How do you find the right chess coach for where you are in your own game without spending so much money on one after another trying to find the one that makes sense? I may be wrong when I say this but I feel like with a rating as low as mine and given coaches price themselves based on the value or worth they believe they give to others, I do not need a coach in the $50+ range at the moment in order to help me improve above my current rating.

I personal goals of where I want to be and put in a few hours a days of studying and playing. My progress has been slow and steady climbing to that fact I am pleased with my results. I do want a chess coach for varies reasons for example to see what I do not know which is a lot in how I can make improvements in my play and another example being someone to talk through ideas.

Avatar of Dumbluck626

I Think the premise  of what playonlinesecretly1 is saying is true. 

But there's a flaw in the logic. The point of getting a coach isn't to avoid doing everything she suggests but to maximize your return on the time and money you invest.

The greatest roadblock to success is ourselves. We all know we have weaknesses and may even know what a few of them are. But we don't see them all and we don't know how to fix them all or else we would all be GMs. 

The reason the saying, "Two heads are better than one," is so popular is because it's usually true. 

You want to look for a coach who values your time, your goals, and offers personalised action plans, analysis, and practice to attain them. 

You probably don't want a coach less than 400 points above your level but even Magnus has had coaches rated lower than him. 

Eventually you'll want to switch coaches but try to find someone who is determined to improve your game at all costs and help you move beyond their expertise as quickly as possible. 

I offer a money back guarantee at the end of each session because I know what I have to offer is valuable and I don't waste my students time. 

If you're interested, shoot me a dm and we'll schedule a free consultation to see if we're a good fit. 

 

Avatar of BOWTOTHETOAST

I am a 188 elo player

Most of my games are just fights where both sides are trying to get a queen.

 

Avatar of Dumbluck626

You are stronger than me there's no doubt about it. I could learn something from you but the only advice you offer is to be your own coach and play slower and that's good only to a certain point. I can't see my blind spots and neither can anyone else. That's why they are blind spots. 

If you want to save money, that's the way but you lose time. 

Between the two you can only get one back and that's why I encourage people to save time above all else. 

I generally only accept students who could use and want my help. 

If they don't think I offer value to their development they don't pay me. Period. That's why I offer a money back guarantee