Do Beginners Improve Faster With Daily Tasks and Coach Support?

Question by FIDE Trainer Darko Polimac

I’m curious what others think about this — especially players in the 600–1400 range.

From my experience coaching beginners, the biggest factor in improvement isn’t talent or openings… it’s consistency.

Most players train randomly — puzzles one day, blitz the next, then nothing for a few days — and that slows progress a lot.

But when someone follows a simple daily plan (30–60 minutes of basics like middlegame puzzles, small endgame tasks, and reviewing 1–2 games), improvement becomes much faster.

I also noticed that players grow even quicker when they get daily support from a coach — for example, getting feedback through Slack, quick corrections, and answers to questions.

This combination seems to push people from:

• 600 → 1000

• 900 → 1400

• 1200 → 1600
  much faster than random training ever does.

So my question to the community is:

Have you noticed that consistency + small daily tasks + regular guidance help beginners improve much faster?
Or do you believe beginners can grow just as well on their own with unstructured practice?

Curious to hear your thoughts and experiences!

— FIDE Trainer Darko Polimac

I think beginners can learn by themselves through puzzles without the guidance of a coach at first. The 600 to 1400 rating range is mainly understanding the fundamentals of the games, employing basic tactics and learning a few starter openings.

Puzzles help you recognise patterns in games and help you form tactics. The 600 to 1400 rating range is still beginner level, so players mainly focus on reducing blunders and learning tactics. I believe sticking to a schedule does help you improve faster, but practicing randomly does work, like I did.

However, as you move into the 1500 rating range many players start taking coaching as the level of play becomes much more tactics focused and coaches can help you learn these mechanics. 

I think coaching isn't required for beginners and they can learn just as well on their own. However, do take this with a grain of salt as I am only 1200 myself.

Daily interactions with a coach? I shudder to think what that costs...

You would be surprised that daily tasks and communication with me start at $69 per month. Please book free trial lesson

Is it not better to play games daily but not too many, then go over your games then have them reviewed by another either a person does not have to be a coach but a higher rated player or a strong chess program. Then learn from said mistakes to improve? Been a simple concept since before the advent of chess programs yet it seems to escape those looking for improvement.

Could work but with coach is better. Playing 2 rapid games per day is enough

I think daily chess is important. But I don’t think that a coach is necessary. Nor do I think that the beginner has to be consistent in the type of exercise they do.

I never had a coach. When I started playing chess seriously, I immersed myself in chess books—Instruction books, games collections, endings. I also played chess and analyzed games with my high school friends.

Within a year, I was at the Class B level (1600-1799), in two years I was in Class A (1800-1999), and in three years I was an Expert (3000-2199).

looking back at my development, I think that what was important was daily exposure (doing different things—studying, playing) and actively thinking about or analyzing chess.

Yes, a coach can focus the study and so make the development occur faster. But a self-motivated student should be able to make a lot of progress on their own. And a coach who tries to use the same plan with every student may actually slow some of them.

I think beginners get better at chess by ignoring someone who's apparently shamelessly offering lessons given he lost his id to 'fair play' 5 days ago. Get better, Darko.

Do you think my use of the engine during the game was the reason for this? Or could there be another explanation? Perhaps my messages to people like you might be the cause. One thing that stands out is that the bravest people commenting are often those who hide their real names and use fake photos, just like you. The easiest way is to google my name and see the result in 25 years related to chess. All i can is to report you and people like you

Cry harder, bruh!
The only reason why someone is banned due to fair play is because they used external assistance, also if you've coached players for 25 years and still you can't hit a respectable elo, then you might question your own decisions. 
You were banned cause you were using assistance, accept it! I swear bro's sweating right now.
So much coming from someone who's a pest to the community.

Hiring a coach will depend on how serious the person is. Playing a bunch of speed chess on a daily basis is a sure fire way to not improve. Play daily chess, or at the very least G45, do your own analysis and have a stronger player go over it with you, use a real board and pieces.

Notthepaintr

Notthepainter the cost of a coach will come down to "You get what you pay for". And how much effort you are willing to put in. For me? Lessons cost $71 a week. But it's a great fit. He let's me know exactly what my strengths are and what I need to work on. I gave his book recommendations and they hit home with me. I am getting exactly what I need to improve.