JamaicaI invite you to embark on this wonderful journey of chess improvement with me using my 9 years of coaching experience that has produced age group champions and also helped players to gain the master title.As an established chess coach, my goal is to guide you through the next stages of your chess development, building on your existing knowledge and pushing you to reach new heights in your game.
My name is FM Shreyas Smith and I am the current National Chess Champion of Jamaica and a full time player and coach with a peak rating of 2232. I get you to path of mastery in different steps:
Step 1 : Analyze Your games
Step 2 : Identify your weaknesses
Step 3 : Create a program best suited for your development
About me
Playing experience
I have been playing chess for more than a decade and more than half of my life
Chess Achievements:
• No:1 Ranked for age group in Jamaica
• Highest Rated Schoolboy Chess player in Jamaican History with a record rating of 2341
• Highest Junior Player in Jamaican History with a record rating of 2408
• Title Of National Chess Master – 2014 ( at age 17)
• RJR National Sports Award- Chess Athlete of the year 2015 and 2017
• National Champion Of Jamaica 2017
Age Group Championship Accomplishments:
• National Junior(Under 20) Champion 2014,2015,2016
• National Under 18 Champion 2013, 2014
• National Under 16 Champion 2010, 2011, 2012
• National Under 14 Champion 2009
International Performances:
• 2015 Caribbean Chess Carnival Second Place
• 2013 Carifta Under 20-First Place, Under 18-First Place
• 2012 Carifta Under 16-Third Place
Local Tournament Wins:
• 2018 Master’s Knockout
• 2018 Robert Wheeler Open
• 2018 Harold Chan Open
• 2018 John Powell
• 2017 Master’s Knockout
• 2017 President’s Invitational
• 2017 John Powell Memorial Open
• 2016 Frederick Cameron Open
• 2016 Robert Wheeler Open
• 2015 St. Jago Elite Invitational
• 2015 Master’ Knockout (Finalist)
• 2015 Frederick Cameron Open
• 2015 National Rapid Championship
• 2015 Harold Chan Open
• 2015 Enos Grant Memorial Blitz (Tied for first)
• 2014 President’s Invitational
• 2014 Frederick Cameron Open (Joint Winner)
• 2011 Frederick Cameron Open at age 15
High School Accomplishments:
• 2015 Corporate Area champion team captain
• 2015 High School M.V.P (Most Valuable Player)
• 2015 Best Board One
• 2016 Corporate Area champion team captain
Chess Achievements:
• No:1 Ranked for age group in Jamaica
• Highest Rated Schoolboy Chess player in Jamaican History with a record rating of 2341
• Highest Junior Player in Jamaican History with a record rating of 2408
• Title Of National Chess Master – 2014 ( at age 17)
• RJR National Sports Award- Chess Athlete of the year 2015 and 2017
• National Champion Of Jamaica 2017
Age Group Championship Accomplishments:
• National Junior(Under 20) Champion 2014,2015,2016
• National Under 18 Champion 2013, 2014
• National Under 16 Champion 2010, 2011, 2012
• National Under 14 Champion 2009
International Performances:
• 2015 Caribbean Chess Carnival Second Place
• 2013 Carifta Under 20-First Place, Under 18-First Place
• 2012 Carifta Under 16-Third Place
Local Tournament Wins:
• 2018 Master’s Knockout
• 2018 Robert Wheeler Open
• 2018 Harold Chan Open
• 2018 John Powell
• 2017 Master’s Knockout
• 2017 President’s Invitational
• 2017 John Powell Memorial Open
• 2016 Frederick Cameron Open
• 2016 Robert Wheeler Open
• 2015 St. Jago Elite Invitational
• 2015 Master’ Knockout (Finalist)
• 2015 Frederick Cameron Open
• 2015 National Rapid Championship
• 2015 Harold Chan Open
• 2015 Enos Grant Memorial Blitz (Tied for first)
• 2014 President’s Invitational
• 2014 Frederick Cameron Open (Joint Winner)
• 2011 Frederick Cameron Open at age 15
High School Accomplishments:
• 2015 Corporate Area champion team captain
• 2015 High School M.V.P (Most Valuable Player)
• 2015 Best Board One
• 2016 Corporate Area champion team captain
Teaching experience
-I have coached at several local secondary schools and have done chess in their curriculum
-I have coached age group chess champions
-I have coached players to achieve Fide Titles
-I have coached age group chess champions
-I have coached players to achieve Fide Titles
Other experiences
I have been a chess commentator on a new Youtube channel www.youtube.com/channel/UCaP33llsxmWoKfBP8Na_h6A
Best skills
I am very patient with my students and take the time to focus on their long term development.
Teaching methodology
1. Strengthening Core Concepts
Solidifying Opening Repertoire
We’ll review your current openings, refining and expanding them to ensure you have a solid and reliable repertoire.
You’ll learn to understand the ideas behind the openings, rather than just memorizing moves, allowing you to adapt to different opponents and unexpected responses.
We’ll introduce you to the concept of "opening preparation" and how to utilize databases and engines to stay updated with current opening trends.
. Deepening Tactical Awareness
You already know basic tactics like forks, pins, and skewers; now we’ll focus on recognizing and setting up more complex tactical motifs.
We’ll work on exercises designed to improve your pattern recognition and tactical calculation, helping you to spot opportunities faster and more accurately during games.
Expect to solve challenging tactical puzzles that simulate real-game scenarios.
1.3. Enhancing Positional Understanding
We’ll dive deeper into positional play, focusing on concepts like pawn structures, piece activity, and the importance of weak squares.
You’ll learn how to create long-term plans based on the strengths and weaknesses of both your position and your opponent’s.
We’ll study classic games to see how top players implement these positional ideas in practice.
2. Middlegame Mastery
.
Planning and Strategy
The middlegame is where your strategic thinking will be put to the test. We’ll focus on creating and executing effective middlegame plans.
You’ll learn how to transition smoothly from the opening to the middlegame, understanding the shift from opening principles to strategic goals.
We’ll work on breaking down complex positions, identifying key factors like king safety, piece coordination, and pawn structure.
.
Dynamic Play and Imbalances
We’ll explore dynamic chess, focusing on how to handle unbalanced positions where material and positional factors are not evenly distributed.
You’ll learn when to take risks and how to seize the initiative, turning small advantages into winning positions.
We’ll cover topics like attacking play, defending against attacks, and counterattacking strategies.
3. Advanced Endgames
Key Endgame Principles
We’ll focus on mastering essential endgame concepts like opposition, triangulation, and the principle of two weaknesses.
You’ll learn to recognize key endgame positions and how to transition into favorable endgames from the middlegame.
Expect to work on endgame studies that require precise calculation and a deep understanding of theoretical position
Practical Endgame Skills
We’ll work on improving your practical endgame skills, focusing on how to convert small advantages into wins.
You’ll practice common endgames (king and pawn, rook endgames, etc.) to ensure you’re confident and efficient in these scenarios.
We’ll also cover complex endgames involving multiple pieces, where precise calculation and deep understanding are required.
4. Game Analysis and Self-Improvement
Analyzing Your Games
We’ll regularly analyze your games to identify patterns, mistakes, and areas for improvement.
You’ll learn how to critically assess your own games, understanding not just what went wrong, but why it happened.
We’ll use this analysis to tailor our lessons, ensuring that we focus on the areas where you need the most improvement.
Learning from the Masters
We’ll study games from top players, analyzing their strategies, tactics, and decision-making processes.
You’ll learn how to incorporate ideas from these games into your own play, adapting them to your style and strengths.
This study will help you understand the deeper aspects of chess, beyond the moves themselves.
5. Developing Mental Toughness
Handling Pressure and Time Management
We’ll work on techniques to improve your concentration, manage your emotions, and stay focused under pressure.
You’ll learn how to manage your time effectively during games, avoiding time trouble and making better decisions when the clock is ticking.
We’ll discuss how to handle setbacks and bounce back from losses, maintaining a positive and resilient mindset.
Building Confidence and Composure
Confidence in your abilities is crucial at this level. We’ll work on building your self-belief through consistent practice and positive reinforcement.
You’ll learn how to maintain composure in critical moments, ensuring that nerves don’t get in the way of your performance.
We’ll focus on turning nervous energy into productive focus, helping you to stay calm and collected during important games.
6. Continuous Learning and Growth
Setting Goals and Tracking Progress
We’ll set specific, measurable goals for your improvement, focusing on both short-term milestones and long-term objectives.
You’ll learn how to track your progress, using both your games and practice sessions to measure improvement.
We’ll regularly review and adjust your goals based on your development, ensuring that you’re always moving forward.
Staying Engaged and Motivated
To keep you engaged, we’ll vary our lessons, incorporating different activities like puzzle-solving, game analysis, and practical play.
You’ll be encouraged to participate in tournaments and chess communities to test your skills and stay motivated.
I’ll provide ongoing support and encouragement, helping you to stay focused on your chess journey and continue enjoying the game.
Conclusion
This methodology is designed to take your chess skills to the next level, providing a comprehensive, structured approach to learning that’s tailored to your needs as an intermediate player. Together, we’ll work on solidifying your fundamentals, deepening your understanding of the game, and building the confidence you need to succeed in increasingly challenging situations.
I’m here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring that your chess journey is both rewarding and enjoyable. Let’s get started!
Solidifying Opening Repertoire
We’ll review your current openings, refining and expanding them to ensure you have a solid and reliable repertoire.
You’ll learn to understand the ideas behind the openings, rather than just memorizing moves, allowing you to adapt to different opponents and unexpected responses.
We’ll introduce you to the concept of "opening preparation" and how to utilize databases and engines to stay updated with current opening trends.
. Deepening Tactical Awareness
You already know basic tactics like forks, pins, and skewers; now we’ll focus on recognizing and setting up more complex tactical motifs.
We’ll work on exercises designed to improve your pattern recognition and tactical calculation, helping you to spot opportunities faster and more accurately during games.
Expect to solve challenging tactical puzzles that simulate real-game scenarios.
1.3. Enhancing Positional Understanding
We’ll dive deeper into positional play, focusing on concepts like pawn structures, piece activity, and the importance of weak squares.
You’ll learn how to create long-term plans based on the strengths and weaknesses of both your position and your opponent’s.
We’ll study classic games to see how top players implement these positional ideas in practice.
2. Middlegame Mastery
.
Planning and Strategy
The middlegame is where your strategic thinking will be put to the test. We’ll focus on creating and executing effective middlegame plans.
You’ll learn how to transition smoothly from the opening to the middlegame, understanding the shift from opening principles to strategic goals.
We’ll work on breaking down complex positions, identifying key factors like king safety, piece coordination, and pawn structure.
.
Dynamic Play and Imbalances
We’ll explore dynamic chess, focusing on how to handle unbalanced positions where material and positional factors are not evenly distributed.
You’ll learn when to take risks and how to seize the initiative, turning small advantages into winning positions.
We’ll cover topics like attacking play, defending against attacks, and counterattacking strategies.
3. Advanced Endgames
Key Endgame Principles
We’ll focus on mastering essential endgame concepts like opposition, triangulation, and the principle of two weaknesses.
You’ll learn to recognize key endgame positions and how to transition into favorable endgames from the middlegame.
Expect to work on endgame studies that require precise calculation and a deep understanding of theoretical position
Practical Endgame Skills
We’ll work on improving your practical endgame skills, focusing on how to convert small advantages into wins.
You’ll practice common endgames (king and pawn, rook endgames, etc.) to ensure you’re confident and efficient in these scenarios.
We’ll also cover complex endgames involving multiple pieces, where precise calculation and deep understanding are required.
4. Game Analysis and Self-Improvement
Analyzing Your Games
We’ll regularly analyze your games to identify patterns, mistakes, and areas for improvement.
You’ll learn how to critically assess your own games, understanding not just what went wrong, but why it happened.
We’ll use this analysis to tailor our lessons, ensuring that we focus on the areas where you need the most improvement.
Learning from the Masters
We’ll study games from top players, analyzing their strategies, tactics, and decision-making processes.
You’ll learn how to incorporate ideas from these games into your own play, adapting them to your style and strengths.
This study will help you understand the deeper aspects of chess, beyond the moves themselves.
5. Developing Mental Toughness
Handling Pressure and Time Management
We’ll work on techniques to improve your concentration, manage your emotions, and stay focused under pressure.
You’ll learn how to manage your time effectively during games, avoiding time trouble and making better decisions when the clock is ticking.
We’ll discuss how to handle setbacks and bounce back from losses, maintaining a positive and resilient mindset.
Building Confidence and Composure
Confidence in your abilities is crucial at this level. We’ll work on building your self-belief through consistent practice and positive reinforcement.
You’ll learn how to maintain composure in critical moments, ensuring that nerves don’t get in the way of your performance.
We’ll focus on turning nervous energy into productive focus, helping you to stay calm and collected during important games.
6. Continuous Learning and Growth
Setting Goals and Tracking Progress
We’ll set specific, measurable goals for your improvement, focusing on both short-term milestones and long-term objectives.
You’ll learn how to track your progress, using both your games and practice sessions to measure improvement.
We’ll regularly review and adjust your goals based on your development, ensuring that you’re always moving forward.
Staying Engaged and Motivated
To keep you engaged, we’ll vary our lessons, incorporating different activities like puzzle-solving, game analysis, and practical play.
You’ll be encouraged to participate in tournaments and chess communities to test your skills and stay motivated.
I’ll provide ongoing support and encouragement, helping you to stay focused on your chess journey and continue enjoying the game.
Conclusion
This methodology is designed to take your chess skills to the next level, providing a comprehensive, structured approach to learning that’s tailored to your needs as an intermediate player. Together, we’ll work on solidifying your fundamentals, deepening your understanding of the game, and building the confidence you need to succeed in increasingly challenging situations.
I’m here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring that your chess journey is both rewarding and enjoyable. Let’s get started!