Private online lessons · from beginners up to 2200 FIDE
Openings, calculation, strategy, tactics, positional play, endgames, and your own games reviewed in depth and turned into a plan that fits you. Taught by Slaven Pastar, International Master and FIDE Instructor, online worldwide.
Slaven's teaching method
Slaven's idea is not only to give you lines to memorize, but to understand the mechanisms behind them. With a structured and disciplined approach, and hard work, progress happens.
At Knight Jump, we follow structured materials while simultaneously keeping an eye on the individual needs of our pupils.
What a good coach does?
We aim to recognize mistake patterns and find the antidote for them. Fixing the most common mistakes often leads to improvement.
How a lesson works?
Our lessons are often accompanied by homework; independent work at home carries great value as well.
Is a coach worth it?Who Slaven coaches
Slaven coaches every level and age, from a child's first lesson to players rated up to 2200 FIDE, adapting the method to each person's goals and the way they learn. Find where you fit:
Not sure where you fit?
Contact usKeen, but needs proper guidance? Patient, structured lessons that build genuine skill while keeping chess fun.
Lively sessions tailored to your child's age, accompanied by quality material. At Knight Jump, the majority of our students are children!
Coaching for kids
Starting from zero and unsure where to begin? Learn the game properly, right from move one.
You will pick up the pieces, rules, and fundamental concepts in the exact right order, with each lesson building on the last. No jargon, no rush.
Coaching for beginners
Chess is a beautiful game because anyone can play it and strive to improve.
Depending on your level, we identify your specific weaknesses, select high-quality materials, and work together to elevate your game
Coaching for adults
As a competitive player himself for over 20 years, Slaven is ready to share his extensive experience to help you grow.
Whether it is coaching or playing training game, in Knight jump we are highly adaptive to the students style.
Coaching for competitive playersTestimonials
Beginners, improvers, and parents of juniors, on what it is like to train with Slaven over months and years.
I had the pleasure of being a student to Slaven for the last four years. He is an extremely versatile teacher, who can easily adapt to a pupil’s individual needs and can teach beginners as well as aspiring amateurs and club players. He has a structured approach, a clear way of explaining and great flexibility in his lessons, so even at days where I just was not able to give my 100%, he always came up with creative ways to make the lesson nevertheless worthwhile. We spent lots of time on in-depth opening studies, general chess principles and important endgame ideas, and I am happy to say that I significantly improved in all these areas thanks to Slaven. He speaks excellent English and has a great sense of humor — you should definitely give him a try.
Slaven is a great teacher because he is serious, strict, and caring. He spends time making plans on what will be covered in each of the classes, and he previews the games I play so that he can give me his best ideas on what I could do better. This way, he can always optimize the time we take learning and he is always prepared during the classes. I have changed a lot over the years, but he is able to adapt to how I play and what I need to work on. He covers every part of the game in great detail, from opening theory to endgame ideas, and I have gotten better in every part thanks to him. Also, whenever I’m not at my best, he always finds ways to keep the class fun and interesting, such as doing puzzle battles and using his sense of humor. Slaven is an excellent coach, and you should definitely give him a chance.
My son was a student of Slaven’s for the past year. As a beginner’s parent, I made numerous requests, some of which may have been unreasonable. However, Slaven was always patient and did his best to accommodate my requests by tailoring his lessons. He was also very flexible with scheduling. It is no surprise that he has a good reputation in the DFW area of the United States, despite being from across the Atlantic Ocean. Throughout the year, what impressed me most was not just his deep understanding of chess but also his genuine love for the game. His enthusiasm for chess is evident in our communications. If you really love chess, I highly recommend giving him a chance. You will not only improve your skills but also make a great friend to discuss chess with. In fact, I am planning to become his student myself.
Pricing
One-on-one lessons and training games, priced per hour. Packages are available upon enquiry, just ask during your free introductory call. For more on what shapes the price, see what online chess lessons cost.
$45/ hour
A personalized lesson built around your own games, where we tailor the training to meet you and your specific needs.
$30/ hour
Training games against Slaven, then a analysis together afterwards.
Available Upon Enquiry
Secure a block of lessons at a tailored rate, designed for real continuity from one session to the next. Let's discuss options during your free introductory call.
Book a free 15-minute intro call. Tell Slaven your goals, ask anything, and see if it's a good fit, no obligation.
Common questions
Lessons are one-on-one and delivered live over Microsoft Teams, with ChessBase for analysis and preparation, combined with chess.com or Lichess depending on the student. Each lesson follows a plan tailored to your level and goals, and you get homework, games to play and ideas to review, so progress continues between sessions. All you need is a computer and an internet connection.
Yes. Slaven coaches every level and age, from complete beginners learning the rules to competitive players, and works with many juniors and kids. His FIDE Instructor training, and his participation in the Kasparov Chess Foundation European Trainers Conference, mean lessons are patient, structured and adapted to each student.
One-on-one lessons with Slaven are $45 per hour and training games are $30 per hour, in US dollars. Lesson packages are available on enquiry.
Yes. Slaven Pastar is an International Master (IM) with a peak FIDE rating of 2401. He is also a FIDE Instructor and took part in the Kasparov Chess Foundation European Trainers Conference (Zagreb 2023).