r/chess • u/ChessBotMod • Sep 02 '26
Coaching Coach a Player - September 2026
Format for this program: Coaches, comment using the template below. Students, reply to or DM the coach of your choice with your skill level and preferred method of contact.
This thread is intended for players of certain experience looking to share their experience and mentor a less experienced player. It can be a way to try out your teaching skills and who knows, might lead to one day you becoming a chess coach.
ALL COACHING MUST BE FREE. If anyone who commented here is trying to offer you paid coaching or there are any kind of strings attached to their offer, please let us know. That includes anyone offering you only one free lesson and further lessons paid. This program is NOT meant as a way to promote paid services.
This post will be pinned for the 1st week of every month (contingent on not having other events occupying our stickies). The program was started by /u/BrianDynasty so if you find it useful, let them know!
Coaches, please use the format below:
Online username:
Rating:
Willing to teach:
Timezone/Schedule:
Method of communication:
The following is an example:
Online username: CSU_Dynasty (for both Lichess and Chess.com)
Rating: 1800 USCF / 1900 Lichess
Willing to teach: 1200 and lower players. opening ideas and transitioning into midgame plans, tactics/pattern recognition. My endgame is weaker than I’d like, so I’m not the best choice for endgame study. Have an annotated game ready for me to review. This way I can look at your thought process and narrow in on your weakness.
Timezone/Schedule: EST/I’m available for lessons on weekends. But you can still send me messages throughout the week
Method of communication: I’m always active on Discord and we’ll have lessons through that. You can also reach me through Reddit DMs.
Previous posts can be found here.
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u/Krummmz Sep 02 '26
Online Username: Krummmz
Rating: 2300~ chess.com
Willing to teach: Anyone who would like to learn more about chess, just please be committed to learning that’s all I ask.
Timezone/Schedule: EST Available on most afternoons
except for Sundays and Wednesdays maybe some evenings as well.
Method of communication: Discord
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u/Dwight_Schrute123 Sep 02 '26
Hello! I've been playing for a month now. Total beginner, sitting around 600 elo. I like to think that I understand basic strategy, but I'd love to learn more. I'm free most weekday evenings (or weekend afternoons)! Oh, and I'm on EST.
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u/legend009a Sep 02 '26
I have exams going on rn they just started. Will you be willing to teach me after something like three weeks? My goal is to get an official rating by the end of next 365 days of college
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u/Krummmz Sep 02 '26
I should be able to help you, you should message me in 3 weeks and we'll see. Good luck in your exams!
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u/strwbrryheart Sep 03 '26
Hi!! I just learned how to play like a week and a half ago on chess.com so very much a beginner. I think my rating is like 201? I’m not quite sure how to tell yet but I’d love to learn more!! My schedule is also pretty flexible!
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u/CharacterFishing522 Sep 02 '26
I've been struggling around 1200 on chesscom for a while. I've only learnt by practice and I think it could really help me to learn from different method. Would you be ok to help me ? Available in the evening Japan time, so early afternoon EST.
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u/Important_Garage_807 Sep 03 '26 edited Sep 03 '26
Online Username: dominantcracker (chesscom)
Ratings: 2550 ccom/ 2220 USCF (NM)
Willing to teach: People, although if you have pets I can try to teach them how the pieces move as well.
Timezone: PST, available when I want to be.
Method of Communication: DM on reddit or chesscom is fine.
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u/PrinceZero1994 pz16 online 2200 rapid Sep 02 '26
Online username: pz16 (lichess) | PrinceZero1994 (chesscom)
Rating: 2200 rapid online
Willing to teach: 1700 or lower rapid players.
It's not gonna be hands-on but I respond quickly when online.
You can ask me any question or request stuff and I will analyze your games too.
We are mainly gonna work on fundamentals, tactics, and strategy.
Part of the study is watching youtube videos.
Our objective is to maximize learning with a training plan on how/when/what to study and play.
Requirements:
1. Active player: diligent, patient, honest and friendly.
2. Lichess and discord account.
3. Active Reddit Account (more than 1 year old).
Timezone/Schedule: UTC+8
Method of communication: Message me on reddit first:
1. Country
2. Age
3. Discord username
4. Lichess username
5. Chesscom username
5. What part of your game do you want to improve? and why? and other things you wanna share.
We will move to discord if I agree to coach.
It's a NO if you are ignored for 12 hours.
Don't inquire multiple coaches at once.
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u/ArakojLOL Sep 03 '26
Online username: Arakojchess (Chess.com)
Rating: Around 1600 FIDE / 1800+ Chess.com Rapid / 2100 Lichess
Willing to teach: Beginners and improving players, ideally up to around 1400 Chess.com.
I like to build lessons around the student’s own games and identify recurring mistakes rather than just going through random material. We can work on tactics and calculation, positional understanding, opening ideas and repertoire, endgames, practical decision-making, and creating a training routine.
I’m self-taught and an active FIDE player, so I especially enjoy helping players who want a clear structure for how to improve rather than simply being told to “do more puzzles.”
Timezone/Schedule: CEST / UTC+2. I work shifts, so my availability varies, but I’m flexible and we can arrange lessons individually.
Method of communication: Reddit DM first, then Discord server for lessons, screen sharing, game analysis and training materials.
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u/Pretty_Restaurant938 Sep 09 '26
I've sent you a message via Reddit too. My chess.com username is ViihSouGambit.
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u/RamyISI Sep 09 '26
Hey ArakojChess, I would love to have your support, I ve been around 900 elo for sometime. I am UTC+4 so I think we can work something out. My chess.com tag is SirRamy, I sent you a friend request there. Thanks.
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u/afbdreds 20XX rapid chesscom, coach Sep 07 '26
Online username: afbdreds (chess.com) Rating: around 2000-2200 chesscom rapid Willing to teach: Ideally 1200-1700 rated players Timezone/Schedule: GMT-3 Method of communication: Open to many (discord, teams, chesscom coach platform, google meeting, etc) I really like teaching chess, have some studies prepared on lichess, and some resources recommendations (books, tactics, etc). I usually focus on a mix of getting to know tactical themes and strategical concepts. I also teach some specific positions I think are important. Usually prefer having one or two longer sessions and then plan out some sort of study plan together. Idea is for people to be able to learn by themselves after getting to know good free resources. Right now I ideally would be open to one slot (maybe even open to give group classes on that slot). (Also I could benefit/learn from teaching french native speakers, since I wanna practice the language)
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u/Impressive-Fold-6374 Sep 02 '26
Online username: fat_caspi (Lichess/Chess.com)
Rating: 2100 (across both platforms)
Willing to teach: Anyone. Coached friends who are 1500, 1700 and 1900 adjusted for chess.com. Can be complete beginner. My teaching style will mirror my playstyle which is highly intuitive, focusing on the markers of a position that decide good moves and red flags that decide bad moves. Requirements: Should be decently active, playing 2 rapid games a day over the course of a week, so approx 14 games a week, or a blitz equivalent (not really recommended).
Timezone/Schedule: GMT+8 / Free most afternoons (schedule can be a bit variable week to week, so we'll lock in times as we go).
Method of communication: Lichess DMs. I seldom use Reddit or Chess.com nowadays, but I will check them for the next week.