lichess.org
Donate

How to Choose the Right Coach

DIAChessClubStudiesedited

Most of the scientific studies on chess improvement put coaching in chess at only about 5% of chess improvement, as where deliberate practice is 25-50% of improvement. Personal motivation, and parental / communal support are more important than coaching.

It is also unclear from evidence whether one study method is any better than another.

The key is studying the game (not playing it). Next, but far less important than study is the growth mindset. Coaching is only useful in terms of pointing to resources the student might not know are available and encouraging the growth mindset.
Personalized training is only important for elite players trying to be the best, and beat other competitive players, but that is not really coaching, but more a trainer.

The emphasis on coaching, even though it contradicts all the studies and evidence, is likely just a way to get money out of players, as a more honest approach, would inform people you don't need a coach for chess, and just point them to the countless resources and methods available to study the game.

Most of the scientific studies on chess improvement put coaching in chess at only about 5% of chess improvement, as where deliberate practice is 25-50% of improvement. Personal motivation, and parental / communal support are more important than coaching. It is also unclear from evidence whether one study method is any better than another. The key is studying the game (not playing it). Next, but far less important than study is the growth mindset. Coaching is only useful in terms of pointing to resources the student might not know are available and encouraging the growth mindset. Personalized training is only important for elite players trying to be the best, and beat other competitive players, but that is not really coaching, but more a trainer. The emphasis on coaching, even though it contradicts all the studies and evidence, is likely just a way to get money out of players, as a more honest approach, would inform people you don't need a coach for chess, and just point them to the countless resources and methods available to study the game.