Ask Coach any Question

Hello Everyone, this is opportunity for all of you to ask your chess query regarding your play or in general to the team of experienced coaches. 

Sounds promising

To hit 500 quickly on Chess.com, play only Rapid, avoid blunders by checking every move, follow simple opening rules (develop, control center, castle), and when ahead, trade pieces to convert wins add a few puzzles. At this level, just not giving away free pieces is enough to climb fast.

I dont even know openings

Just follow three simple rules: control the center (play e4/d4), develop knights and bishops, and castle early. Don’t move the same piece twice or bring your queen out early, and always check that nothing is hanging. If you stick to this, you’ll already play better than most beginners and climb quickly.

Hi, what you want to ask ?

do you have any advice to get from 2130 to about 2350-2450? that’s my goal for the next year/two years

i’d be happy with getting 2400 in any timeframe though

Hi! I have some questions regarding coaching. I use the classroom-feature and chat-only to communicate during coaching sessions.

How can I effectively analyze a student’s game with my student during a session? Should I often ask questions about the position, about pieces, ideas, threats etc? Should my students often explain their thoughts from their game? How much should I explain and how deep should I analyze each move on average?

If my student hung a piece in the game we analyze, how should I react to this? Should I tell my student it’s a blunder? Should I ask my student to spot their blunder? Should I point out their blunder with an arrow?

How should I react when my student missed a free piece from their opponent in the game we analyze? Same thing as above.

How should I react when my student missed a checkmate or blundered checkmate themself? Same thing as above.

How often should I use arrows and highlights for coaching?

How often should I give my students the control over the pieces?

How can I make the coaching sessions more enjoyable and entertaining?

Thanks in advance! I am looking forward to read your approach!

Hello @Coach_Ali

This is Jayanta, I have just a small query regarding the middle game only, like "How to find the best move or the best plan out of any chess position?" Or in other word "How to find the best continuation in any given chess position?"

To reach 2400 from 2100, prioritize reducing all unforced errors through rigorous self-analysis and post-game review. Strengthen calculation with disciplined candidate-move selection.

Play mostly long time-control games with a consistent decision process (threat identification → candidate moves → calculation → evaluation → decision), where improvement comes from accuracy, discipline, and consistency rather than new knowledge.

Key is Precise understanding, clarity in thought process. 

ok thanks

Do i really need to know openings or should i stick with kings pawn opening

Structure sessions as guided discovery: have the student verbalize their thought process, probe with focused questions (threats, candidates, plans), and intervene only to clarify key ideas avoid move-by-move over-analysis. For blunders (hung pieces, missed tactics/mates), first prompt self-detection, then label briefly and connect to the underlying cause (calculation or awareness). Use arrows minimally for critical moments, give the student frequent board control, and keep sessions engaging with small challenges and clear improvement themes.

You know. I've begun getting pretty steamed, every time players in THE 300-400 RANGE GET TO ABSOLUTELY TANK MY ELO INTO ALMOST THE 200S. I haven't gotten to 1000's once. Or 500 for that matter

How can I change this

Step 1.... Plan A (play for advantage):Identify imbalances and set a clear goal: improve worst piece, attack king, create weakness.

Step 2.... Plan B (minimize weaknesses):Check opponent threats and fix loose pieces, king safety, or structural issues.

Step 3 : Candidates:List 2–3 moves that fit your plan, calculate briefly, and choose the one that improves your position without creating new problems.

Plan originates from demand of position itself which is often dynamic changing constantly, you can not fix one continuation in head. 

If you really wanna push from this point 2100 to 2400 you need to memorize lot of past games like hundreds along with precise calculation training through high level problem solving. Try to play different type of positions close open static dynamic do not restrict yourself to your own style or ideas. Honestly at this level our biggest enemy is our own previous knowledge or concepts which we built long ago in head when probably we were 1400-1600 and never took time again to re-evaluate them.

Just follow three simple rules: control the center (play e4/d4), develop knights and bishops, and castle early. Don’t move the same piece twice or bring your queen out early, and always check that nothing is hanging. If you stick to this, you’ll already play better than most beginners and climb quickly.