Coach Colin Chess Tutoring

I'm excited to be returning home to Steiner Ranch after Labor Day. Looking forward to working with my chess students and meeting new ones. Email me at [email protected] for info about classes and private lessons!

Backyard Chess Returns to Saratoga! ♟️☀️

I’m excited to be back in Saratoga this summer and will be offering my popular Sunday Backyard Chess Classes starting July 20. These small-group sessions are great for young players who want to sharpen their skills, solve fun puzzles, and play real tournament-style games.

Classes will be held Sunday afternoons in a shaded backyard setting, with a mix of instruction and gameplay. I’ll also be offering private lessons while I’m in town.

To receive full details and register, please email me at
📧 [email protected].

Space is limited, and we typically fill up quickly—email me soon if you’re interested. Looking forward to another great summer of chess in Saratoga!

It was great to see so many of my Saratoga students in-person for a special class yesterday, during my visit from Austin.

Starting April 6! Learn chess with a National Master in a fun and supportive environment. Announcing a new chess class for beginning and intermediate players (ages 6-13) in Steiner Ranch, Sundays 5:00-6:00 PM. Cost is $99 for 5 classes. Please fill in the form at coachcolinchess.com, or email [email protected] for more details.

Home | Coach Colin Chess Your student will learn chess from a National Master in a fun and social environment in Steiner Ranch. Classes meet 5:00-6:00 PM every Sunday for 5 weeks. The cost is $99 per student.

Want to improve your game with a National Master and experienced coach? I offer private lessons both in-person in Steiner Ranch, and online via Zoom for $50/hour. Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested.

Announcing a new chess class for beginning and intermediate players (ages 6-10) in Steiner Ranch, Sundays 5:00-6:00 PM. Cost is $99 for 5 classes. First class is February 16. Please message me for more details.

Send a message to learn more

I am happy to announce that I have moved to Austin, TX, and am now offering in-person chess coaching in Steiner Ranch. Please get in touch if you'd like more information. I am also always available for online lessons.

I am excited to announce that, by popular demand, we will be offering a Chess Tournament Boot Camp, which will allow your students to have a fun week of enhancing their chess knowledge and skills in a social environment. By the end of this boot camp, your student will be fully prepared to enter a real-life chess tournament, regardless of their playing level or their previous tournament experience.

I earned my National Master title by competing in tournaments myself, including:
4th Place (tie), U2300 Division, North American Open, December 2022
2nd Place, 2000+ Division, People’s Class Warfare Championship, Bay Area Chess, November 2022
1st place, U2200 Division, CalChess State Chess Championship (undefeated), September 2022
1st Place, U2100 Division, North American Chess Open (undefeated), December 2017
1st Place, 2A Division, Best of the West Chess Championship, Bay Area Chess (undefeated), May 2017
1st Place, U1800 Division, Golden State Chess Open (undefeated), January 2016
1st Place, U1600 Division, Golden State Chess Open (undefeated), January 2015

There are many benefits of tournament play for your students:

1. Enhances Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
• Decision Making: Players must make quick and accurate decisions under time constraints.
• Strategic Planning: Developing and executing long-term strategies improves foresight and planning abilities.
2. Improves Concentration and Focus
• Sustained Attention: Chess tournaments require players to maintain focus for extended periods.
• Mindfulness: Encourages a heightened state of awareness and mindfulness during games.
3. Boosts Academic Performance
• Math Skills: Chess involves calculations and logical thinking which can improve mathematical abilities.
• Reading Comprehension: Analyzing chess literature and understanding complex positions can enhance reading and comprehension skills.
4. Fosters Emotional Resilience and Confidence
• Handling Pressure: Competing in tournaments teaches students how to stay calm under pressure.
• Dealing with Loss: Learning to cope with losses and setbacks builds emotional resilience.
5. Encourages Social Interaction and Teamwork
• Networking: Provides opportunities to meet and interact with peers who share similar interests.
• Sportsmanship: Emphasizes the importance of respect and fair play.
6. Promotes Healthy Competition
• Competitive Spirit: Healthy competition encourages students to strive for improvement and excellence.
• Motivation: The excitement and challenge of tournaments can motivate students to practice and improve.
7. Develops Time Management Skills
• Time Control: Playing with time controls teaches students to manage their time effectively during games.
• Preparation and Study Habits: Encourages disciplined study and preparation routines.
8. Enhances Memory and Cognitive Abilities
• Pattern Recognition: Regular play helps students recognize and remember complex patterns.
• Visualization: Improves the ability to visualize moves and outcomes without physical pieces.
9. Provides Opportunities for Personal Growth
• Setting Goals: Setting and achieving personal goals in chess can translate to other areas of life.
• Self-Discipline: The rigorous practice and study required for improvement fosters self-discipline.
10. Increases Exposure to Diverse Perspectives
• Cultural Exchange: Chess tournaments often bring together players from diverse backgrounds, promoting cultural understanding and exchange.
• Learning from Others: Observing different playing styles and strategies can broaden a student’s approach to the game
11. Achievement Recognition
• Success in chess tournaments can lead to awards, titles, and recognition, adding to a child's list of accomplishments. These achievements can be highlighted on resumes and applications for academic programs or scholarships.

We have an exciting week of learning and game play planned. We will learn tactics and strategies and review games of grandmasters. We will be playing games with chess clocks, learning how to notate, proper tournament etiquette, and learning how to manage our time— among other skills necessary for tournament play.

Here are the details:

Camp dates: Every day July 29-August 2 (5 days)
Camp times: 4:00-5:30 PM (90 minutes) each day
Location: Under the backyard arbor at our home in Saratoga
Cost: $250 (note--no refunds for missed classes)
Attendance will be limited on a first-come first-served basis

Email me at [email protected] for information on how to register.

Back by popular demand, Coach Colin, a USCF National Chess Master, will offer two week-long backyard chess camps in Saratoga August 7-11. Each camp consists of two-hour sessions Monday through Friday, for one week. Choose the camp that works best for your student: either 10 AM to 12 Noon, or 4:15-6:15 PM.

Class sizes are very limited: only 12 students will be admitted to each chess camp. Your student will receive plenty of one-on-one attention, while also socializing with chess friends.

Backyard Chess Camp led by National Master Coach Colin is teaching a premier summer chess camp for all ages and skill levels!

Class begins with instruction followed by questions and lively discussion. Students are encouraged to test out their playing skills, and are matched up with a playing partner.
Short-term Goals:
Students learn time controls, openings and mid-game strategies and how to plan strategically.
In addition to chess instruction, classes include fun puzzles, games, and tournaments.
Overall Goals:
Chess teaches patience, how to graciously accept losses and wins and at the same time work to improve oneself and gain mental vigor and strength. Students will also view and analyze game play between two elite Grand Masters under the astute tutelage of Coach Colin who points out strategies used to win in this challenging game, strategies and tactics applied to gain advantage in a high level tournament.

The cost is $250/ student. Space is limited. If your student is interested, please let me know promptly via Facebook message or email to [email protected].