Excelling at chess can prove a challenge. With such a vast array of players of different skill sets, there’s no shortage of people with the ability to play circles around you – or so it feels. There comes a time in your journey when you begin to plateau and see little way forward. This is the time for a chess teacher. The guidance a more experienced player can give you is invaluable. They have the ability to see your game from another perspective and can elevate your play to new heights. The problem with chess teachers, however, is that there are so many of them. How do you choose the right teacher for you?
Player Strength
It is vital that you choose a chess teacher with a rating sufficiently higher than yours. Doing so will ensure that you are getting the proper advice from someone who can actually see the holes in your chess game. Usually, a chess teacher around 200 points above you in rating can be enough.
Teaching Strength
This can be a hard thing to quantify, but let’s give it our best shot. Being an amazing player does not make you an amazing coach. There are certain things that make someone able to teach chess, and those things are not in every great player. The most important thing is the willingness of your chess coach to study your games with enough care and attention to identify your weak points. Moreover, you should find a chess teacher that will create a personalized plan for you, not a standardized plan.
Specialization
Just as each player leans on certain aspects of the game more than others, chess teachers can also excel and focus on certain aspects of the game. Make sure you understand your teacher’s playstyle and line it up with the areas in which you need improvement.
Connection
This point cannot be understated; it is very important to have an open rapport with your chess coach. You should feel comfortable and free to ask questions, take risks, and make bad moves. Without the comfort of doing these things, you will not get the intended benefit that you desire.
At Premier Chess Coaching, we have skilled teachers, each with their own style of playing and coaching. If you are looking for compassionate and experienced chess teachers, in London or the surrounding areas, contact us today!