How do online chess lessons work?
In short, an online chess lesson is a live one-on-one video call where you and your coach share the same board on screen. You play through your own games together in real time, Slaven finds what is holding you back, and you leave with a clear plan and something to work on for the week. It works just as well as sitting across a real board, and for many students better.
What an online chess lesson actually is
An online chess lesson is a live, private video call between you and your coach. You both look at the same screen, talk in real time, and move the pieces together. Nothing is pre-recorded, and nothing is automated. It is strictly one coach and one student, for one hour. (Note: For young kids, lessons may run slightly differently, and parents are always welcome to sit in.)
Everything takes place on a shared digital board. This allows us to instantly change positions, saving valuable time so we can focus entirely on learning rather than resetting physical pieces. Of course, online play means we lose the tactile feeling of holding real chess pieces, but every format has its ups and downs.
Most importantly, you finish every call with the positions, the notes, and a clear next step completely saved and easy to revisit at any time.
The tools you'll use
You do not need to buy or install anything special. A laptop or computer and a steady internet connection are enough, and the accounts below are free to set up.
- Microsoft Teams or Zoom for the video call. You join from a link, so there is nothing to set up beyond clicking it.
- ChessBase for the shared board, where Slaven sets up positions, plays through your games, and saves the analysis you do together.
- Chess.com or Lichess for playing, whichever you already use. This is where training games and homework happen between lessons.
If any of this is new to you, that is fine. Slaven helps you get set up on the free intro call, before your first lesson.
What a typical lesson looks like
While we are following materials, lessons are built around your own games as well, not a fixed syllabus. The shape stays the same from week to week, so you always know roughly what to expect.
- Before the lesson, Slaven looks through the games you have played recently and picks out the moments worth your time, so the hour starts with a plan rather than a blank board.
- During the lesson, you go to one of those positions together. He asks what you were thinking, shows where the game turned, and explains the idea behind the better move. Then you try it yourself until it makes sense.
- After the lesson, you leave with something specific to play and study, chosen to drill the exact thing you worked on. Your next game becomes the material for the next lesson.
It is the same loop a strong player uses on their own, with a coach making sure you spend your time on the right thing instead of guessing.
What happens between lessons
A lesson lasts for one hour, but what you do with the days in between is where the real improvement happens. That is why every session ends with a small, specific task tailored to your goals. It might be a handful of tactical positions to solve, a specific opening line to practice, or an endgame to drill until it becomes automatic.
We love to see our students playing a lot of chess between our sessions. Any individual work you do, ideas you explore, or personal preferences you want to try are always welcomed by our coaches for discussion.
Best of all, you do not need hours a day. Building a short, regular habit between your lessons will do far more for your rating than one long study sitting once in a while.
How to get started
Getting started is simple, and it begins with a conversation, not a commitment.
- Book a free 15-minute intro call. You talk through where your chess is now, what you want to get better at, and any questions about how the lessons run.
- If it feels like a good fit, you pick a regular time that works for you, in your own time zone.
- Slaven sets up the first lesson around a game or two of yours, so you are working on real positions from the very first session.
There is no charge for the intro call and no obligation to book lessons afterward. It is just the easiest way to see whether coaching with Slaven is right for you. If you want to know the price first, here is a full look at how much online chess lessons cost.
Common questions about how lessons work
Do I need any special software or equipment?
No. A laptop or computer and a steady internet connection are all you need. Lessons run on Microsoft Teams or Zoom for the video call, with a shared board for analysis, and you play on chess.com or Lichess. The accounts are free, and Slaven helps you get set up on the intro call.
Do online chess lessons work as well as in person?
Yes, and often better. Everything happens on a shared digital board, so any position can be set up, rewound and replayed in seconds, which is harder across a physical board. You also finish each lesson with the analysis and notes saved, ready to pick up again.
What if I am a complete beginner?
That is fine. Slaven teaches all levels, from people learning the moves to rated tournament players. A beginner lesson starts with the basics at a comfortable pace and builds from there, always around real games rather than dry theory.
How long is each lesson, and how often should I have one?
Lessons are usually an hour long. Most students take one a week, which leaves time to play and work on what you covered before the next session. You can go more or less often depending on your goals, and you can talk through what suits you on the free intro call.
Do you teach children?
Yes. Slaven coaches children as well as adults. Lessons for kids run at a gentler pace and in shorter blocks of focus, and a parent is welcome to sit in on the lesson.
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.