Private online lessons · absolute beginners
Chess lessons for beginners
Learn chess the right way from the very first move. Patient, structured one-on-one lessons for complete beginners of any age, taught online worldwide by Slaven Pastar, an International Master and FIDE Instructor. No experience needed.
International Master · FIDE Instructor
Why learn with a coach
Start the right way
Anyone can pick up the moves from an app. Learning to actually play, and enjoying it, is where a coach makes the difference, so you start with good habits instead of ones you have to unlearn later. If you are deciding who
No experience needed
You do not need to know a single rule to begin. At Knight Jump, we start with how the pieces move and build up one idea at a time, at a pace that suits you, so nothing ever feels over your head.
Good habits from move one
Learning properly from the start builds a deep, real understanding of the game, ensuring your child avoids bad habits they would have to unlearn later.
Understand, not only memorise
In Knight Jump we explain the idea behind each one, so you can find good moves yourself instead of copying them.
A real coach, paced to you
Every lesson is live and one-on-one. We evaluate your current understanding and adapt the material in real time, while utilizing modern chess apps to accelerate your learning.
What you will learn
Your path from first move to first game
There is a natural order to learning chess. At Knight Jump, we take you through it step by step, so each new idea builds on the last and you are playing real games sooner than you think.
The board and the pieces
We start with the fundamentals: how to set up the board, how each piece moves and captures, and the simple rules that decide a game. Once your child is completely familiar with the board and the pieces, we introduce the language of chess, notation, allowing them to record and review their games.
Checkmate and basic tactics
How to deliver checkmate, keep your own pieces safe, and spot the simple tactics, forks, pins and skewers, that win material in almost every beginner game.
Opening principles
How to start a game well with a few clear ideas, control the centre, develop your pieces and keep your king safe, instead of memorising long lines you do not understand.
Simple endgames
How to finish a winning game cleanly, the basic checkmates and king-and-pawn ideas that turn a small advantage into a full point.
Your first real games
You start playing, we review your games with you at Knight Jump, turning your own moves into your next training goals. This is where it all comes together.
How it works
All you need is a computer
Lessons are live and one-on-one over video, with the board shared on screen so you can see and play along. There is nothing to buy and nothing to set up first.
No chess set required
You play on screen with a free account on Chess.com or Lichess. A physical board is nice to have, but you do not need one to learn or to play.
No software to buy
Lessons run over Microsoft Teams or Zoom, both of which are free to join. At Knight Jump, we handle all the analysis tools, so there is absolutely nothing for you to install or pay for.
No prior knowledge
Come exactly as you are. If you have never moved a piece, that is the perfect place to start, and the first lesson begins right there.
Getting started
Starting is simple
It takes one short call to begin. Here is exactly how it goes.
Book a free intro call
A no-obligation 15-minute call. It takes a minute to book and costs nothing.
Tell Slaven you are starting out
Say where you are, a complete beginner or just a little rusty, and what you would like to get out of chess. There are no wrong answers.
Agree a schedule
Together you settle on a lesson length and frequency that fits your life and how you like to learn.
Start from the very basics
Your first lesson begins at the beginning, live online, and builds from there at your pace.
Pricing
Online chess rates
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.
One-on-one lesson
Most start here$45/ hour
A personalized lesson built around your own games, where we tailor the training to meet you and your specific needs.
- Study plan tailored to your games
- Focused work on what holds you back
- Homework to work on after each session
Training game
$30/ hour
Training games against Slaven, then a analysis together afterwards.
- Choose the tempo and number of games
- Pick up an opening
- Move-by-move analysis after
Lesson packages
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.
- Discounted per-hour rate
- Continuity across every session
- Priority on the schedule
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I learn chess if I have never played before?
Yes. Complete beginners are exactly who these lessons are for. Slaven starts from how the pieces move and builds up one idea at a time, so you do not need to know anything about chess to begin. Lessons are paced to you, with no assumption of prior knowledge.
Do I need to know the rules before my first lesson?
No. You can start from zero. Slaven teaches the rules and the reasons behind them from the very first move, so the first lesson begins right at the beginning. If you already know the basics, he simply starts from where you are.
Is it better to learn from a coach than from apps or YouTube?
Apps and videos are a fine way to meet the game, but they teach the same thing to everyone and rarely explain why a move is good. A coach watches how you actually play, answers your questions, and corrects small habits before they set, so you learn the game the right way from the start and improve faster.
How do online chess lessons for beginners work?
Lessons are one-on-one and live over Microsoft Teams or Zoom, with the board shown on chess.com or Lichess so you can see and play along. All you need is a computer and an internet connection, with no chess set to buy and nothing to install. Each lesson is paced for a beginner and builds on the last.
Am I too old to start learning chess?
No. There is no age at which it is too late to learn. Adults take up chess for the first time all the time, and starting later is no barrier to enjoying the game and getting genuinely good at it. Lessons are paced to you, whatever your starting point.
How much do beginner chess lessons cost?
One-on-one lessons with Slaven are $45 per hour and training games are $30 per hour, in US dollars. Lesson packages over a block of lessons are available on enquiry. Just ask on the free intro call.
How long does it take to learn chess?
You can learn the rules and play your first full game in a single lesson. Becoming a confident player takes longer and depends on how much you play between lessons, but with a clear plan you feel real progress quickly. Slaven sets out what to focus on so your time goes to what helps most.
How do I get started?
Book a free 15-minute intro call. Slaven will find out where you are starting from, answer your questions and see if it is a good fit, with no obligation. After that, you agree a schedule and your lessons begin from the very basics.
Ready to improve your chess?
Book a free 15-minute intro call. Tell Slaven your goals, ask anything, and see if it's a good fit, no obligation.