PERSONALIZED 1-ON-1 CHESS COACHING
Private Chess Lessons for Kids
Personalized chess coaching for kids in New York City, Greenwich, and online, with a coach matched to your child’s level, goals, and learning style.
A plan built around the student
Private coaching gives a child direct feedback and a clearer path forward.
Chess Max private lessons help students slow down, review real games, strengthen calculation, and know what to practice between lessons.
Matched coaching
The team recommends a coach based on level, personality, goals, and availability.
Online or in person
Lessons may be available in NYC, Greenwich, or online depending on the coach.
Focused practice
Work can center on confidence, tactics, game review, openings, or tournament preparation.
Who it helps
Support for the stage your child is in now.
Beginners building confidence
Clear explanations, patient pacing, and simpler thinking routines help new players feel comfortable at the board.
Developing students building stronger habits
Private lessons can reinforce tactics, checkmates, openings, endgames, and readiness for group classes.
Tournament players preparing competitively
Coaching can focus on game review, notation, clock use, calculation, openings, and decisions under pressure.
How it works
From first conversation to a focused practice plan.
Tell us about your child
Share your child’s level, goals, schedule, and whether online or in-person coaching is the better fit.
Get matched with the right coach
The team recommends a coach based on personality, level, goals, and availability.
Start personalized lessons
Lessons can include game review, tactical training, homework direction, and clear next steps between sessions.
Build a focused practice plan
After the first lesson, the coach can focus practice around the student’s level, habits, and goals.
Chess Max coaching approach
A good private lesson should make the next week of practice easier to understand.
Coaches meet students where they are, then use real positions and clear practice goals to build better thinking habits.
- Review the student’s own games and decisions.
- Build calm calculation habits instead of rushed moves.
- Connect private lessons to group classes, online learning, or tournament goals.
- Leave the student with a small, practical focus between lessons.
Coach directory
Find the right private chess coach.
Browse the roster, or start with a consultation and the team will help match your child with the right fit.

In-Person and Online Lessons
Grandmaster Maxim Dlugy
Founder of Chess Max Academy, former World Junior Champion, and former number 1 blitz player in the world. Maxim Dlugy has coached Kasparov and Karpov, and his students have won more than 25 National Scholastic titles, 1 World Championship title, and 2 Continental Championships.
Starting from $250/hour

Online lessons
Grandmaster Sergey Kasparov
International Grandmaster | Chess Coach | Author | Languages: Russian, English, Italian
Starting from $140/hour

Online lessons
International Chess Master Artiom Samsonkin
Top Rated Coach, National Level. Artiom is extremely diligent and responsible when organizing chess teaching and homework for his students.
Starting from $130/hour

Online lessons
International Master Humberto Blanco
Humberto is an established chess coach, having coached youth and national teams in Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
Starting from $100/hour

In-person and online lessons
Expert Coach Marfa Esaulova
Top Rated Coach. Marfa is a chess expert and kids chess coach who graduated from the Botvinnik Chess School and Orient Chess School.
Starting from $180/hour

In-person and online lessons
Dan Yates
Coach Dan Yates is a gifted instructor who turns lessons into a joyful, confidence-building experience, specializing in younger kids.
Starting from $150/hour

In-Person and Online Lessons
Benjamin Ginsberg
Coach Ben is a passionate player and dedicated mentor who helps students build confidence, critical thinking, and creativity on the board.
Starting from $150/hour

In-person and online lessons
Arrik Leman
Arrik Leman is a Master level chess coach who helped GM Max Dlugy prepare for the US Senior Championships and edit his book.
Starting from $180/hour

Online lessons
Angelyn Binan
Chess Coach Angelyn is one of the top women chess coaches in the Philippines and is also a National Master.
Starting from $90/hour

Online and in-person lessons
Alan Suh
Alan grew up in Hong Kong, competed through middle school, and taught at a U.S. expert level before building a high school chess club.
Starting from $150/hour

In-Person and Online Lessons
Deepak Aaron
Deepak is a professional chess player and dedicated mentor who has played chess for over 25 years and is a National Master.
Starting from $150/hour

Online lessons
Grandmaster Daniil Yuffa
Grandmaster Yuffa is a professional player and chess coach of top players, with public achievements including Gibraltar Masters and Cap d’Agde results.
Starting from $250/hour

Online lessons
Grandmaster Sergey Makarychev
A leading expert on chess openings and endgames who has coached world champions including Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov.
Starting from $180/hour

In-person and online lessons
Joel Adebayo
Top Rated Chess Coach, PHD. Joel Adebayo is a strong FIDE Master and dominant Nigerian player.
Starting from $150/hour

Online lessons
National Master Jerich Cajeras
Top Rated Chess Coach. Jerich has been involved in chess for two decades with notable success as both a player and coach.
Starting from $100/hour

Online Lessons
National Master Marvin Ting
Marvin is a new addition to the chess tutoring team who has taught Chess Max summer camps and brings strong knowledge of the game.
Starting from $90/hour

In-person and online lessons
Rodwell Makoto
International Master with a proven record as a multiple-time Zimbabwe National Champion and international competitor.
Starting from $150/hour

In-person and online lessons
Surfi Ahmed
Top Rated Chess Tutor, PHD. Surfi is a popular chess coach on the Chess Max team, known for understanding kids psychology.
Starting from $200/hour

In-person and online lessons
Vladislav Berezin
Meet Chess Coach Vlad, a coach focused on cultivating young minds through chess and supporting young kids and advanced adult players.
Starting from $180/hour
Parent questions
Common questions before starting private chess lessons.
Is private coaching better than group chess classes?
They solve different problems. Group classes give regular practice and social learning. Private lessons give targeted feedback and a plan for a specific child’s goals.
Can lessons focus on tournaments?
Yes. Tournament-focused work can include game review, tactics, openings, clock management, notation, and preparation for rated or unrated chess tournaments.
Can my child take private lessons online?
Online private lessons may be available depending on the coach. They are often useful for busy schedules, travel weeks, or students who want to work with a specific instructor.
Next step
Find the right private coach for your child.
Start with a consultation, or register for private lessons if you already know the path you want to take.


