About me
Hello! I'm Lesly Montúfar, a 25-year-old Woman FIDE Master (WFM), and a dedicated chess coach from Brazil. I was born and raised in a country known for its vibrant culture and stunning natural beauty.
My own foundational training was shaped by some of the game's best minds, including GM Neuris Delgado and IM Leandro Perdomo. I proudly carry forward the disciplined, analytical mindset honed by my mentors and my Engineering studies, applying it directly to my coaching to help students structure their learning for maximum results.
Beyond the chessboard, I stay sharp through diverse hobbies like Capoeira (a beautiful Brazilian art blending martial arts and dance), Muay Thai, and the creative focus of sewing clothes.
I'm also thrilled to connect with students globally, as I'm fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, and have an up-intermediate level in French. I look forward to guiding you on your chess journey! 🇧🇷 ♟️
Playing experience
My competitive foundation is built on years of high-level play and representing my country.
FIDE Title: I earned the prestigious Woman FIDE Master (WFM) title at just 16 years old in Chile.
National Representation: I proudly represented Brazil in top-tier youth events, including the South American, Pan American, and World Youth Championships, competing across Bolivia, Colombia, Uruguay, Peru and Chile.
Competitive Routine: My background taught me the essential routines, study habits, and mental discipline required for continuous growth in chess, which form the bedrock of my training approach.
Teaching experience
Structured Program Design: I successfully developed and delivered a chess extension course at the university level (serving about 15 students), demonstrating my ability to structure complex material into an accessible curriculum for beginners and intermediate players.
Personalized Mentorship: I have provided one-on-one tutoring, specializing in game diagnosis and creating customized, routine-based study plans that instill strong foundational habits.
Other experiences
My tactical focus is rooted in a solid strategic background. I began learning the English Opening (1. c4) at age 8, a recommendation from my first coach. While it was challenging to adapt to this positional game, it gifted me the lasting ability to organize my pieces satisfactorily in diverse positions. However, my true passion lies in dynamics: during the South American Championship in Bolivia, I successfully executed a powerful attack, utilizing all the combinations I had practiced, and absolutely loved it! This experience, combined with an encounter with a great teacher who showed me the beauty of playing 1. e4, shaped my current style. I now prefer open positions, actively seeking opportunities for my pieces to attack and leveraging a wide arsenal of tactical themes. I was deeply inspired by a classic game played by Alexander Alekhine and am always happy to share it with anyone interested.
Best skills
I excel at establishing the discipline and accountability required for students to achieve ambitious, long-term goals. I help players structure their learning to integrate tactical training with strategic understanding, ensuring attacks are well-founded.
PRICING: Investing in Your Chess Journey
As a strong supporter of youth involvement in the sport, I offer a 30% discount on lessons for children up to 10 years old.
Teaching methodology
My methodology is designed for consistent development, focusing on actionable steps and deep understanding.
Core Focus: Training emphasizes critical analysis over simple memorization. We work to identify the root cause of errors in your games, using an analytical approach to build deep, resilient chess understanding.
Routine Customization: Crucially, I provide tailored daily and weekly routines specifically designed to target and strengthen your weakest points, ensuring your effort directly translates into measurable progress.