Picking a chess coach
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IllBallistics
Feb 28, 2026
0
#1
With so many available, does anyone have any tips on picking a chess coach?
Here are some of my thoughts:
On the logistic side, budget, schedule and in-person vs online filters most chess coaches.
And also level of dedication needed. For example I’m dedicated to helping u succeed in between lessons with homework and dm support but you may not want/need that.
Then there’s teaching style. I like to relate chess concepts to your actual games and your life outside chess. My lessons are interactive and less lecture like.
Reputation and skill levels matter but only to the extent which they can translate that to your learning. I teach much better than some GMs but some 1900s can teach way better than I do.
Hope this helps!
Houji
On the logistic side, budget, schedule and in-person vs online filters most chess coaches.
And also level of dedication needed. For example I’m dedicated to helping u succeed in between lessons with homework and dm support but you may not want/need that.
Then there’s teaching style. I like to relate chess concepts to your actual games and your life outside chess. My lessons are interactive and less lecture like.
Reputation and skill levels matter but only to the extent which they can translate that to your learning. I teach much better than some GMs but some 1900s can teach way better than I do.
Hope this helps!
Houji
30 days ago
0
#3
Picking a coach is tricky. Some people work with a coach for a year with small gains. In some cases coaches stall and waste time to milk money from you. After all, being a professional or semi-professional player pays little to nothing. So go with reputation, reviews, student progress before and after.