Be forewarned: chess may change your life. Created in India some 1,400 years ago, the game is said to be “an ocean where a gnat can drink and an elephant can bathe.”  Besides making your brain hurt, chess is also a unique source of self-honesty, grit, joy, humor, history, and beauty. Learning the game doesn’t require math skills, complex reading comprehension, or being “naturally smart.” In fact, many students discover real freedom and empowerment when they realize that there are no barriers to learning the game— and there is no limit to what you can learn. At the same time, chess is a world where players are constantly turning their weaknesses into strengths. Everyone in the game makes mistakes— so frequently that players have developed a wealth of vocabulary and jokes about it. By normalizing mistakes, chess players open the door to learning from them, creating a feedback loop that allows students to teach themselves. Pretty neat for a board game.

Most chess players worth their salt struggle with this question. When someone is always better than you, can you really call yourself “good”? For example, I’m ranked in the 97th percentile for rated players in the US, according to the US Chess Federation (USCF). I’m what they would term an Expert. I might say I’m good, but I know that players ranked in the 98th and 99th percentiles are categorically better than I am. However, regardless of rankings, knowing how to effectively teach the game is not a skill that every chess player has. My 30+ years of combined expertise in both teaching and competitive play is what sets me apart.

There are a lot of factors that help me determine a fair rate for both of us: would you like to do remote or in-person sessions? Would you like to assemble a group class or learn privately? Would you like to invest in a package or pay lesson-by-lesson? Are you just starting to learn the game or are you an experienced tournament player looking to overhaul your opening repertoire? Would you like worksheets or additional coaching? Besides assessing all of these factors, I’m also committed to finding a rate that works for your financial situation. If you’d like to get an estimated rate, feel free to reach out to me with more details so that I can give you a better idea. Let me know if someone recommended you, too! I love giving discounts to friends of friends.

Like many people around the world, I mask indoors to protect my immunocompromised partner from getting Covid-19 again. Since most chess lessons take place indoors (if they aren’t remote), I mask during all my in-person sessions. I usually find that students feel most comfortable when they know why and for whom I’m taking these precautions, and many parents also appreciate that by masking I don’t expose their kids to more germs. Of course, I don’t require my students to mask— though it’s always appreciated— and if you have any questions about any aspect of my policy, I’m always an open book. Seriously, no question is too awkward or complex!

In my experience, you’re not alone in feeling this way. Many people’s first exposure to playing chess is brief and confusing. Often times, a friend or parent teaches them the basic rules within a few minutes, plays a game with them right after that, and predictably wins. After losing— and not understanding why— it’s easy to walk away thinking that you just don’t have a knack for the game. But learning the rules is only the beginning. For example, did you know that the game is usually divided into three phases: the Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame, each with different goals and strategies? These phases aren’t written into any rulebook, but they are crucial to knowing what you are doing in the game. I approach every lesson with the intent to impart practical ideas and concepts that will help you better understand how to play, and— perhaps more importantly— give you the confidence to enjoy chess, rather than fear it. After all, it’s still just a game!

Unless you’re looking to become a world champion, no age is too late to start or return to chess. But whether you decide to try out some lessons or go at it alone, here are a few tips for adult learners:

1) Stay curious— too often, in our desire to understand the “forest for the trees” of the game, we can mistake our first “aha” moment for the game’s true horizon. Become a “forever student” and you’ll learn more & learn faster. You’ll also save your ego from a few of the many bruisings that the game can bring.

2) Create a fun goal. Do you want to beat that friend who seems to know “everything” about the game? Do you want to reach a particular online rating? Or do you want to get ambitious and prepare for playing your first rated in-person tournament? Whatever the goal, clarifying your intentions will help you track your progress and fuel your motivation to test out those new skills.

3) Get messy. Kids excel at natural play— which is why they often make lot of progress very quickly. Yes, they have more brain plasticity than we do, but a lot of that is because they roll up their sleeves, make lots of mistakes, and have fun learning. In other words, they have a natural growth mindset! In contrast, I’ve seen a lot of adult learners struggle with trying to “get it right” or understand everything before making any decisions over the board. Ditch the perfectionism and you’ll find that you’re a better player than you were yesterday— and that’s enough.