Meet Nikolas

From 1858 to National Master in two years

I'm Nikolas Theiss. I earned the National Master title from US Chess as an adult, after raising my rating from 1858 to master level in just over two years.

That kind of jump is unusual for an adult, and it didn't come from talent or from playing more. It came from a structured study program I built for myself, after a long and tedious stretch of working out which material helps and which only feels like it helps.

Why I coach

I'm passionate about helping players improve as efficiently as possible. Most improving players work hard, and much of that work is wasted on material that doesn't suit their level or their weaknesses. I've already done that sorting, so my students don't have to.

I've now coached hundreds of students: children, adult improvers, retirees and everyone in between, with all sorts of learning styles. Each one gets a plan of their own, because no two players lose games for the same reasons.

Credentials

• National Master, US Chess Federation
• USCF-certified chess coach
• Hundreds of students coached, from beginners to titled-player hopefuls
• Games and ratings public on Lichess (coach profile)

I'm based in St. Louis, Missouri, and teach online, so I work with students across the United States and abroad.

At the board

I still play. In 2023 my team won the Saint Louis Corporate Chess League as underdogs.

How I teach

My lessons are organized and specific. We meet on Google Meet and work from your own games in a shared Lichess study. I explain the reasoning behind every recommendation, and after each lesson I email you notes and homework chosen for you. Students tell me the advice sticks, and that the plan keeps them on track between lessons.

• Google Meet

  Live, one-to-one, in your browser

• Lichess studies

  A shared board for every lesson

• Notes by email

  What we covered, after each lesson

• Tailored homework

  Lichess puzzles, Chessable and more

If that sounds like what you've been missing, see chess lessons for adults or chess lessons for kids, or book a time below.