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
Why your rating has stalled
Plateaus are rarely about effort. Past a certain point, more of the same study stops paying off and the rating sticks. Progress comes back when the work is aimed at the specific things costing you points.
It is not more puzzles
Grinding tactics you already solve does little once you are past the basics. The gains are in the gaps you cannot see yourself, and finding those is exactly what a coach is for.
Find what actually loses games
Slaven reviews your real games and losses for the recurring patterns, the openings that misfire, the moments calculation slips, the endgames quietly dropped, so the plan targets them instead of guessing.
Prepare like your opponents do
At this level opening preparation is part of the game. A repertoire you understand, built and kept in ChessBase, means you reach middlegames you know rather than ones you fear.
Train under real conditions
Decisions under the clock are a skill of their own. Training games against Slaven at your level, analysed afterwards, build the practical strength that shows in tournaments, not just in study.
Where rated games are decided
The competitive edge
Coaching goes where your results say it should. For competitive players the work concentrates on the areas that decide games between strong opponents. The lessons run live and one-on-one over video.
Opening preparation
A sound, practical repertoire you genuinely understand, built and maintained in ChessBase, so you steer games toward positions you know.
Calculation
Calculating accurately and choosing candidate moves with method, so you trust your decisions in sharp positions and under time pressure.
Strategy and planning
Reading complex positions, finding the right plan and the right piece, and playing prophylactically against your opponent's ideas.
Endgame technique
The precise technique that converts small edges and saves difficult positions, the part where rating points are quietly won and lost.
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, turning your real decisions into the focus of the next lesson, the engine of steady improvement.
Why learn from Slaven
An active International Master in your corner
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. If you are still comparing coaches, here is what to look for in a chess coach.
- International MasterFIDE title · peak 2401
- Still competingactive tournament player
- Up to 2100 FIDEstudents coached to this level
- FIDE InstructorFIDE trainer title
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, in US dollars. 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.