Private online lessons · rated & tournament players
Chess coaching for competitive players
Targeted one-on-one coaching for rated and tournament players who want to break a plateau, taught online worldwide by Slaven Pastar, an International Master and FIDE Instructor who still competes. Deeper preparation, sharper calculation and the technique that wins close games.
International Master · peak 2401 · FIDE Instructor
Break the ceiling
What one can do wrong?
When we are not improving, we should try to see are we doing something wrong? Progress comes back when the work is aimed at the specific things costing you points.
Puzzles without effort
Maybe you should improve your calculation and all you do is looking at puzzle for maximum one minute and guessing the move?
Analyzing your games with engine
From our games we can learn a lot, but if we only look with the engine without trying to understand why they happen, probably will not help much.
Opening preparation is not great
At this level opening preparation is important part of the game. A repertoire you should not only memorize, but also understand.
A lot of bullet and blitz
Only playing bullet and blitz without analyzing the games, your openings, hardly will help your game.
What we might work on
Areas of improvement
When we found what we should work on, we found appropriate tools and materials and focus on that. We might work on:
Opening preparation
A sound, practical repertoire you genuinely understand and enjoy playing, so you steer games toward positions where you thrive.
Calculation
Calculating accurately and choosing candidate moves with method, so you trust your decisions in sharp positions and under time pressure.
Strategy and planning
Looking complex positions, finding the right plan, and playing prophylactically against your opponent's ideas.
Endgame technique
Keeping in mind that we might be at time pressure that late in the game, the precise technique that converts small edges and saves difficult positions helps a lot.
Converting and defending
Winning won positions without slipping, and defending worse ones with resilience, the practical skills that swing tournament standings.
Deep game analysis
Every game studied together in depth, with the ultimate goal of training you to analyze your own play with total precision and high quality independently.
Why learn from Slaven
Dedicated coach with experience and results
Competitive players improve fastest with a coach who is strong enough to show the way and still tested in real games. Slaven is an International Master with a peak FIDE rating of 2401 who continues to compete, and he has guided students up to 2100 FIDE.
- International MasterFIDE title · peak 2401
- Still competingactive tournament player
- Fide InstructorFIDE Trainer title
- Up to 2200 FIDECertified coach for this level
International Master · FIDE 14402718
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.
Share your games and rating
Tell Slaven your rating, the tournaments you play and where you feel stuck, and point him to a few recent games.
Set a target and a plan
Together you agree what to aim for and the plan to get there, with a lesson length and schedule that fit your calendar.
Start the work
Lessons begin, live online, each one built on your games and the plan, with homework to do between sessions.
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 a coach help me break a rating plateau?
Yes. A plateau usually means the gains are now in specific weaknesses rather than general study. Slaven reviews your games to find what actually costs you points, the openings that misfire, where calculation slips, the endgames quietly dropped, and builds a plan that targets them, so your training turns into rating again.
What rating range do you coach, and are you strong enough for me?
Slaven coaches committed players across the rating range and has guided students up to 2100 FIDE. As an International Master with a peak rating of 2401 who still competes, he is comfortable working with strong club and tournament players. The free intro call is the easiest way to confirm it is a good fit for your level and goals.
Do you help with opening preparation and building a repertoire?
Yes. Opening preparation is a core part of competitive coaching. Slaven helps you build a practical repertoire you understand rather than memorise, maintained in ChessBase, and prepares lines suited to your style, so you reach middlegames you know instead of ones you fear.
Can you help me prepare for a specific tournament?
Yes. Coaching can focus on a specific event: sharpening your repertoire, looking at likely opponents and openings, and tightening the practical side, calculation, time management and converting positions, so you arrive prepared rather than hoping for form on the day.
How does game analysis work?
You share the games you play, and Slaven previews them before each lesson, then you go through the turning points together in depth using ChessBase. The aim is not just to find the engine move but to understand the decisions behind it, so the same mistakes stop recurring.
How much do lessons cost?
One-on-one lessons with Slaven are $45 per hour and training games are $30 per hour. Lesson packages over a block of lessons are available on enquiry. Just ask on the free intro call.
How do I get started?
Book a free 15-minute intro call. Slaven will look at where you are, your games and your goals, and see if it is a good fit, with no obligation. After that you agree a target, a plan and a schedule, and the work begins.
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.