Private Chess Lessons for Kids | Chess Max Academy
110 West 79th St. New York, 10024
230 E 78th St. New York, 10075
79 E Putnam Ave Greenwich CT
466 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011
1435 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10028

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Private Chess Lessons in NYC, Greenwich & Online

Private Chess Lessons in NYC, Greenwich & Online
Private Chess Lessons in NYC, Greenwich & Online Grandmaster

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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.


Grandmaster Maxim Dlugy analyzing a chess position during a private chess lesson

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

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Expert coach Marfa Esaulova

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

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Dan Yates

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

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Benjamin Ginsberg private chess coach

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

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Arrik Leman teaching a chess lesson at Chess Max Academy

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

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Angelyn Binan

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

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Alan Suh chess tutor

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

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Deepak Aaron

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

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Grandmaster Daniil Yuffa

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

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Grandmaster Sergey Makarychev

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

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Joel Adebayo chess coach

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

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National Master Marvin Ting

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

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Rodwell Makoto chess coach

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

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Surfi Ahmed chess tutor

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

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Vladislav Berezin

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

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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.

Testimonials
about our chess classes
Eugene Galbmillion

Love this chess school. Facilities are great, teachers are very professional. Online classes are very helpful as well. They often hold chess championships and competitions.

Very recommended to everyone who wants their children to learn and advance in chess.

Antti Rajala

While visiting New York City from Finland. I took one lesson from GM Dlugy. My goal is to become National Master in Chess in the coming 10 years. Mr. Dlugy gave me excellent advice regarding opening choices. An important take away from the lesson was also a list of things to consider when making a move. The list encouraged me to move from a 10-minute game to a longer 30-minutes game which requires more thinking and it helps me to assemble different aspect of what I have learned about chess into a concrete plan of what move to make in a specific situation arising in the game. I put the tool to test and already can see that the accuracy of my play was greatly improved.

Pete Francis

Chess Max Academy is first rate. Coach Surfi has taken my game to a higher level. He makes studying chess fun and exciting. I look forward to my lessons each week.

Justin Kulla

Chess Max has been a terrific experience. Our son grew so much over the past year. He gained, skills, confidence and friendships. While he was the youngest in his class, Chess Max created a supportive environment. With the teacher’s support and encouragement, he competed in tournaments, some of which were at the school and had a terrific time playing against other students across the city. We appreciated the rigor of classes and assignments. Highly recommended for kids who are interested to really improve in chess.

Fu Chen
Chess Max Academy NYC

My two sons (11 and 7) have been attending Chess Max Academy’s online classes for about a year now and they have really benefited from the lessons and homework. Their game has improved and more importantly the classes are fun and the kids they met have helped them remain interested in chess. It is a great program and I recommend it to everyone.

Rohit Bansal
Chess Max Academy NYC

Chess Max Academy has been an incredible experience for my son and my family. My son is 8 yrs old and has been attending for close to a year. He is taking group lessons on Saturdays and 1-on-1 lessons on Sundays. Max and his team are extremely caring and focused on the student’s growth in both chess and life skills. I have seen tremendous growth in my son’s chess skills and his confidence in applying new strategies. The staff are incredibly talented and passionate when it comes to teaching chess. Mr. Surfi, in particular, has done an incredible job of helping my son make leaps and bounds in his chess playing ability. He employed incredible patience and care to see that my son made it through his self-doubt and frustrations. We had such an enjoyable experience that we are most likely going to sign our 5yr old son up to the same curriculum. I could not be more emphatic in my recommendation for Chess Max. It is a great experience for the parents, and especially for the children. It doesn’t matter what your level is when you start, you will see real improvement. Just Amazing. 5 Starts.

Jenny Villar
Chess Max Academy NYC

Chess is part of our daily lives thanks to Chess Max Academy. My 6 YO son started with them at 5 1/2, and they have led him in every step.

Sarfaraz Ahmed
Chess Max Academy of Greenwich

At Chess Max Academy the syllabus and training are designed in a step by step process carefully understanding the individual needs with the expert knowledge and supervision of Grand Master Maxim Dlugy. His years of experience embedded in the training procedures and developing a curriculum ensures the development and the learning curve of chess.