For kids and parents
Online chess lessons for kids
Private, one-to-one coaching for young players, from a National Master and USCF-certified coach. Your child gets patient teaching and a clear plan. You get to see what they're working on and why.
What your child gets
- One-to-one attention. The whole hour is about your child's games and your child's questions, which a class or a club can't offer.
- A coach who is patient and organized. Those are the words students use most often about my lessons, and they matter more with children than with anyone.
- Homework that fits. Each child gets work chosen for their level, so practice between lessons is neither too easy nor discouraging.
- Good habits early. Checking for threats, thinking before moving and learning from losses are skills that last well beyond chess.
What parents can expect
You don't need to play chess yourself. After each lesson your child has a clear list of what to practice, so you can see whether it's getting done without having to judge the chess.
Lessons run on Google Meet with a shared Lichess study, so there's no driving and no waiting room. Notes and homework come to you by email after each lesson. When you book, you can tell me your child's rating if they have one, their Lichess username and what you're hoping for, whether that's a first tournament, a school team or simply a child who loves the game and wants to get better.
Confirm: youngest age you take, and whether a parent should sit in for younger children.
Beginners to tournament players
I've coached children at every stage. Beginners learn sound fundamentals so that they don't have to unlearn bad habits later. Scholastic tournament players work on the things that decide their games: tactics they miss, endgames they misplay and the nerves that come with playing under a clock.
Nikolas is professional, patient, and organized.
Pricing
A one-hour private lesson is $75, paid when you book, so you can start with a single lesson and see how your child responds. For regular training, the monthly option is $280 a month and includes four lessons.
If you'd like to talk first, book a 20-minute intro call for $25. I'm happy to answer questions about how I teach and whether lessons are a good fit for your child.