Your games
I review turning points, missed threats, and candidate moves.
LESSONS WITH A USCF NATIONAL MASTERChess lessons.
Chess lessons.
Study your own games.
I’m a USCF National Master and have taught hundreds of chess students. I use game analysis, positions to solve, and practice games to work on the decisions you make at the board.
I ask what you considered before the move.
When I review your game, I ask which moves you considered, what you expected your opponent to do, and where your calculation stopped. That gives me more useful information than the move alone.
I use the positions from your games to choose what to study next: a tactical pattern, an opening plan, an endgame, or a habit in your decision-making.
What I cover in lessons.
Tactics & calculation
I work through forcing moves, combinations, and defensive resources. I ask you to calculate a line and consider the opponent’s replies before moving.
Openings
I explain the development, pawn structure, and plans behind an opening. I connect the opening to the middlegame positions you are likely to reach.
Endgames
I teach king-and-pawn endings, piece activity, and practical conversion or defensive technique, using positions suited to your level.
Instructive games
I use historical games to examine plans and decisions in context. I pause at key positions and ask you to choose and explain a move.
Practice games & homework
I play with students and review the game afterward. I also assign positions or study tasks based on what we worked on.
A FAMOUS POSITION
Can you find mate in one?
In this 2006 game against Deep Fritz, Vladimir Kramnik overlooked mate in one. I use famous positions like this in lessons to discuss threats, compare candidate moves, and work out the opponent’s replies.
White to move · Mate in one
Click or drag a piece to move. Keyboard: arrow keys and Enter.
Find White’s winning move.
Look at the squares White’s knight protects. Can the queen use one of them?
35.Qh7#. The queen checks the king on h8 and covers g8. The knight on f8 protects h7, so the king cannot capture the queen. Black cannot block or capture the checking piece.
Deep Fritz–Kramnik · Bonn, 2006 · Game 2
After 34…Qe3??. View the game
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Tell me your playing experience, approximate rating if you have one, and what you want to improve.
Chess lessons and training games
All testimonialsMy son also took chess lessons from Ethan and has been playing training chess games with him to this day. We highly recommend Bashkansky Academy.
Gulin G. · Ela and Derin’s mother