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Chess coaches for all skill levels and ages  

Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, they will patiently guide you through strategies, tactics, and openings, helping you develop a deeper understanding of the game.

Every coach is certified and trained to teach a curriculum.

The Chess-steps method is our guide to teaching over 600 students the beauty of chess.

Experienced in teaching the frameworks of success.

From early-childhood Psychologists and Olympic players, to Continental Champions and School Teachers. They can teach you how to achieve and succeed like them!

Flexibility that is YOURS

We work on whatever schedule fits you.

I believe that the best way to work with a student is to make chess relevant to their existing interests. I have coached six students to grade-level championships, and many of them are ranked in the top 100 for their age groups.

Title:

  • National Master

Top Achievements:

  • Winning the National Denker Tournament of State Champions.

Misha Vilenchuk

For the past 10 years, I have been teaching in a fun and supportive style. I focus on chess understanding, consistency, and encouraging you to improve.

Title:

  • Grandmaster

Top Achievements:

  • World U14 Champion (1999) & Champion of Ukraine (2006).

Zahar Efimenko

For the past seven years, I've been teaching one-hour daily private and group chess lessons. I teach my students how to learn and provide them with resources that they can use on their own.

Title:

  • Women's National Master

Top Achievements:

  • Playing on the Philippines Women's Team in 3 Chess Olympiads.

Christy Lamiel

My ultimate goal as a coach is to make my student’s chess journey as enjoyable, fulfilling, and meaningful as possible at the time that I learn from them as well.

Title:

  • FIDE International Master

Top Achievements:

Edwin Urbina

I am a top Venezuelan player, and have played chess since I was 8 years old. In my experience, the best way to improve in chess is to be motivated, and to adjust the training to the student's style and expectations. 

Title:

  • FIDE International Master

Top Achievements:

  • Venezuelan chess champion in categories Under-10, under-12, and 2nd place at the Pan-American Youth Championship in 2013.

Yeison Gutierrez

The learning structure based on the characteristics of the student allows for better results.
I follow projects based on realistic goals in the short, medium, and long term. I work on each element of the player both in chess and in psychology.

Title:

  • National Master

Top Achievements:

  • Two-times National pre selection team junior categories. 
    2010 National open champion.

David Perdomo

I am an energetic 20-year-old who believe in being both a role model and a coach for children. I will support my students as will solve puzzles, learn openings, and improve their memory. Chess is a constant battle, not against your opponent, but against yourself!

Title:

  • FIDE International Master

Top Achievements:

  • Under-18 Venezuelan National Champion (2019).

Gabriel Salazar

Although I've had the help of great coaches, my training has been mostly self-taught, so I know the most frequent mistakes in chess (both in the technical and in the competitive or psychological), so that we can focus training on correcting these mistakes.

Title:

  • FIDE International Master

Top Achievements:

  • On the current Venezuelan Olympiad team, 5 times National Champion of Venezuela in different categories (U-10, U-12, U-16 and U-18).

Fabian Vivas

I think that the best way to improve is to be disciplined, constant and passionate. But it is also important to have a coach who helps you to become a great player, athlete, and above all a great person.

Title:

  • FIDE Master

Top Achievements:

  • Centroamerican & caribean youth champion, southamerican youth champion, national U20 champion 2022

Mike Benavides

I learned the game of chess on my own by the age of 8. Based on my experience, it is very important to know the students' strengths and weaknesses so we can progress in a much smoother pace

Title:

  • FIDE International Master

Top Achievements

  • 2014 Philippine National Junior Champion

Marc Nazario

I want to combine my efforts and dedication with my student's and be successful together without leaving the fun, learning, and excellence in chess.

Title:

  • Women's International Master

Top Achievements:

  • Played (and playing) for the Women's Philippines National Team

Bernadette Galas front facing to the camera, dressed in black and white

I sistematically teach my students how to improve, but I think the best way to see results is having a customized teaching program, so each individual strenght and weakness is taken care of.

Title:

  • Candidate Master

Top Achievements:

  • Runner-up rapid chess U2300 Argentina 2016, XIII American Continental Tournament.

Ramiro Pando

I teach using methods developed by the Soviet chess school. I am one of the strongest Ukrainian players, and I'm a Woman International Master who has been playing chess for 15 years. I have students across the world. Here is my Wikipedia page.

Title:

  • Women's International Master

Top Achievements:

  • Ukrainian Womens Champion Under-18 in 2011.

Maria Efimenko

I like to share my knowledge with my students, make them see chess in another way, think deeply in different positions, make them know the importance of making pieces work altogether, and clarify any doubts they have.

Title:

  • Candidate Master​

Top Achievements:

  • Costa Rican National Champion Under-14, Under-16, and the Central American and Caribbean Champion in 2016.

Emanuel Vaglio

My training is based on the identification of the weaknesses and strengths of my students. 
Many times training is usually boring and no matter how hard you work, you feel that you are still stuck on the same level.

Title:

  • FIDE International Master

Top Achievements:

  • Venezuelan and Subcontinental champion.

Alejandro Uzcategui

I've been a chess coach since 2004, working with all categories of ages. Many of my students have achieved significant results in national and international events. Some of my students obtained FIDE titles.

Title:

  • FIDE International Master

Top Achievements:

  • 2nd place in the national March 8 Cup (2005), many small-tournament wins in Cuba, Venezuela, and around Latin America.

Alejandro Vega

There are 3 keys to success in chess training: The student has to experience chess as much as possible, for which I always try to convey my enthusiasm for this game, learning must be active and study must be systematic: between classes the student must have work to review the knowledge acquired and deepen on them.

Title:

  • FIDE Master

Top Achievements:

  • Degree on psychology with a specialty in early childhood education, Won the Hong Kong International open in 2017 with 8.5/9

Luis Medarde

I will teach you endgames, positional understanding, tactics, and strategy. I like to give homework after each session to help you improve!

Title:

  • Women's FIDE Master

Top Achievements:

  • Gold medalist at the 16th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships in 2015.

Cherry Mejia

I assess my students' level of skill. Then I propose interactive lessons which will help them improve their games; from opening repertoire and strategies, middlegame planning based on structural understanding, and endgame techniques.

Title:

  • FIDE Master

Top Achievements:

  • Four-times National Age Group Chess Champion, Philippine National Games (Rapid) - 3-way tie Champion 

AJ Literatus

Find a plan for you

Monthly Knight

$150 (4 lessons)

A month's worth of weekly lessons. The starting point for beginners.

Monthly Rook

$260 (8 lessons)

Two lessons a week for a month. Great choice for intermediate/adv learning.

  • No auto-renewal.

  • Class credits never expire.

  • Personalized matching with a private coach

Kings & Queens

$340 (10 lessons)

Two and a half months of weekly lessons. Perfect as a gift and for multiple kids.

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popular

A kid wearing a white shirt, smiling, and holding a chessboard
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