NM Ivo Dias

Hello, my name is Ivo Dias, I have 26 years old, and I'm a National Master from Portugal. I currently work in the banking/Finance Industry and play/teach in my spare time. I play since I was 6 years old, winning lots of prizes and tournaments! My goal in chess is to eventually get the Fide Master Title!

I have been playing since I was 6 years old all over Europe, especially in Portugal and Spain.

My best result was probably when I won my first International Open "II Torneio Internacional Cidade de Famalicão" with 6 out of 7 gaining more than 100 ELO points.

I have been teaching chess for more than 10 years to all kind of students. Since kids that want to learn how to move the pieces to adults that have been stuck for more than 20 years and want to improve their level and with time I always manage to adapt my methodology to all type of student.

I would say my strongest it's opening play! I have a pretty good opening knowledge and I can explain ideas and concepts in simple ways, that makes you not only memorize it but fundamentally understand it!

We should learn and cover all parts of the game, but always focus on our main problems/doubts.

It depends on the student, his weakness, goals...etc. Usually a good starting point is to analyse the student's games, see what areas he has to improve and work on that.

I believe that every student should have a weekly goal of games played (online or over the board) and exercises (mainly tactics).