How much do online chess lessons cost?

In short: online chess lessons usually cost between 20 and 100 dollars an hour, depending on the coach's strength, their teaching, and where they are based. Slaven charges $45 an hour, and what you really pay for is a coach who finds what is holding your game back and shows you how to fix it.

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What online chess lessons typically cost

Most online chess lessons cost between 20 and 100 dollars an hour. The range is wide because price depends on a few things: how strong the coach is, whether they are actually trained to teach, and where in the world they are based.

Coaches without a formal title usually sit toward the lower end.
Titled coaches (FIDE Master, International Master, Grandmaster) generally charge more for the years of play behind the title.
A coach teaching online from a lower cost of living country will price below one in an expensive city, for the same lesson.
Group lessons cost less per person than one-on-one, because the time is shared.

Price alone does not tell you much about a chess lesson. Every player needs to find the coach who suits them best. While deep chess knowledge is an important part of the equation, there are many other critical factors to consider. Look for a trainer who listens to your reasoning, analyzes your specific mistakes, and helps you navigate the psychological challenges of competitive play.

What changes the price

A few things move the number more than anything else, some of them we already mentioned.

A FIDE title (FM, IM, GM) reflects years of play at a high level, and titled coaches generally charge more for it.
A title proves someone can play. It does not prove they can teach. Coaches who trained to teach, not only to compete, price that in.
Online coaching is priced to the coach's local market. The same lesson from a coach in a lower cost of living country costs less than one in an expensive city, with no difference in quality.
A private lesson costs more per hour than a group session, because the whole hour is about you.
A regular weekly lesson adds up differently than the occasional session, and many coaches offer a better rate over a block of lessons.
Some coaches turn up and play. Others review your games before the lesson and send you work afterward, which is part of what the hour pays for.

What you are paying for

A chess lesson is not just an hour of talking. Long before the video call begins, a coach spends time preparing—analyzing your recent games, reviewing your homework, and structuring the session around your specific needs. All of this background work is fully included in the price of your lesson.

Furthermore, to explain complex chess concepts easily, a trainer must first spend thousands of hours mastering them.

Think of a patient who goes to the dentist with a severe toothache. The dentist fixes the problem perfectly in just ten minutes and charges $50. The patient might think, "Wow, that was an easy $50 for ten minutes of work." But they forget: in order to fix that painful problem safely in ten minutes, the dentist had to study and practice for fifteen years.

Slaven's rates

Lessons and training games are priced per hour. Here is what Slaven charges.

One-on-one lesson$45 an hour
A personalised lesson built around your own games, with a clear plan and homework before the next session.
Training game$30 an hour
A full-length game against Slaven at your level, then a deep analysis together afterward.
PackagesOn enquiry
Coaching over a block of lessons at a tailored rate, with real continuity from one session to the next. Ask about packages on your free intro call.

You do not pay for the first conversation. A free 15-minute intro call is the easiest way to talk through your goals and what would actually help, with no obligation.