Hobby
£80 per lesson
- 4 week membership
- Online weekend tournament
- Personalised study plan
- £320 every 4 weeks
Online Private Chess Lessons
Improve 2 to 3 Times Faster With Private Lessons
Complete beginner? Know nothing about chess? Within just 5 lessons, you'll learn how to checkmate, and start winning games!
Want to master chess and reach a 2,000 rating?Tired of playing hundreds of games without seeing a real rating increase? Congrats! You reached a plateau!Youtube videos and chess books teach you generic theory.We focus on real results! We review your games and fix mistakes at their core.
Care more about problem-solving and strategic thinking than ratings and tournaments? Chess is a tool for life.We tailor lessons to develop strategic thinking, decision-making, concentration, patience and problem-solving. These are skills that go far beyond the 64 squares.
Trial
7-Day Free Trial
Enjoy one free trial lesson.
No charges will apply if you cancel before the trial ends.
Memberships
Online Private Memberships
Memberships include weekly online classes, weekend tournaments and a personalised study plan.
Duration
Enthusiast
£70 per lesson
- 6 month membership
- Online weekend tournament
- Personalised study plan
- £1,680 total
Dedicated
£60 per lesson
- 12 month membership
- Online weekend tournament
- Personalised study plan
- £2,880 total
Prices start at $70 per lesson, contact us to book your lessons.
Contact Us Next step
What happens after you sign up?
You will be redirected to the booking page, where you can select the coach and your preferred time slot.
The first lessons focus on understanding the student's games, goals and current habits so the coach can shape the study plan.
Contact Us
For more information, private programs or group lessons. Tell us a bit about yourself, and we will get in touch as soon as we can.
What Our Private Students Say
Nurit Reder CEO at Mat-Pals ★★★★★
Shir is super professional and extremely pleasant to work with. She has a rare combination of kindness, intelligence and endless motivation. For more than a decade she has taught my son and I chess, combining theoretical knowledge with tactics, puzzles and studies. Through her professionalism and a significant tutoring presence, she delivers wonderful courses for students at all levels of their chess journey.
Liat Lachish Levy CEO at ChickP ★★★★★
I've been introduced to Shir through a friend in venture capital during my investment round. Little did I know, I was about to rediscover my childhood passion for chess and unlock a wealth of insights for my business journey. Shir's teachings brilliantly bridge the gap between chess and business, revealing profound parallels in strategy, adaptability, and decision-making. Her structured approach not only sharpens strategic thinking but also ignites creativity in problem-solving. Through Shir's guidance, I've not only reignited my love for chess but also gained a deeper understanding of its relevance to the startup world. It is providing me with valuable tools and actionable insights for my leadership role.
Amit Pilowsky Co-Founder, Key1 Capital ★★★★★
I started studying chess with Shir a couple of years back thinking that I need some gym workout for my brain. Since then, I enjoy studying chess immensely thanks to Shir's deep understanding of the content, her captivating way to teach and explain complicated concepts, and all that through the convenience of studying on Zoom. I highly recommend it to anyone, beginner or advanced player.
Dr Behnoosh Farzam UCLA School of Dentistry ★★★★★
I have three children, 5, 7 and 10, who have benefited from Shir's expertise in teaching chess, along with her passion for the game. They sit for hours with chess puzzles and their only complaint is that no lesson with Shir is long enough. What sets Shir apart is her patience and ability to bond with the students. I highly recommend her.
Amir Portiansky General manager at Onami ★★★★★
I was in a rating vacuum which veered 100 points up and down. I was recommended to Shir by a friend who went from a beginner to a strong player in a year through her brilliant coaching. Three months later, my ranking was heading upward; after eight months, it was 700 points higher online, and 300 points over the board. Shir also helped me find a club, and I now play in Leagues and tournaments.
Yoram Ashery CEO at Nostromo Energy ★★★★★
Aside from her captivating smile, Shir exudes determination, brilliance, and resourcefulness with every lesson. Shir has significantly nurtured my love for chess and fuelled my passion and excellence in science and technology. By constantly challenging my curiosity, intellect, preparation, and self-belief, Shir deserves considerable credit for my achievements. She is so much more than a chess teacher - Shir is an exceptional life coach.
Sound familiar?
You Are Putting In the Hours. So Why Has Your Rating Stopped Moving?
You watch the videos. You solve the puzzles. You play game after game. And still the rating stalls, or slips after a difficult weekend. After twenty years of coaching, it is the frustration we hear most often: a great deal of hard work, and very little to show for it.
Here is what most free content will not tell you: you are not stuck because you know too little chess. You are stuck because nobody is reviewing your games and naming the two or three habits that quietly cost you points.
Generic content, generic results
A video made for a million viewers cannot see the mistakes in your last game. It teaches the average player, not you.
The same mistakes, on repeat
Without feedback you rehearse your mistakes rather than correct them, and every game reinforces the very pattern holding you back.
No plan, just effort
Studying everything at once means mastering nothing. A good coach gives you the one priority for this month, and explains why it matters.
The private lessons difference
Coaching Built Entirely Around You
We believe that chess is won as much by the mind as by the moves. Many players already know what to play, yet they struggle with why they miss it under pressure.
Our coaching goes beyond openings and tactics. We help you overcome the psychological barriers that hold players back: fear of making mistakes, lack of confidence, time pressure, inconsistency and poor decision-making. Alongside improving your chess, you will develop strategic thinking, focus, patience, resilience and problem-solving skills that transfer far beyond the 64 squares.
That is what sets our coaching apart: we do not just create stronger chess players, we help develop stronger thinkers.
Designed & Guided by Top Masters
Our private coaching curriculum was developed by leading masters to bridge the gap between high-level theory and the way beginners and intermediate players actually think.
Founder & CEO
Shir Bar Tal
Founder and CEO of the London Chess Academy. With over 15 years of coaching experience, Shir has a rare track record of student results. She trains FIDE Masters and Grandmasters to apply their expertise to beginner and intermediate players in a practical way, pitched at how students actually think during a game.
FIDE Master & Lead Advisor
FIDE Master Akin
FIDE Master with a 2,302 rating and 11 years of coaching experience. Our highest-rated non-Grandmaster coach and Shir's professional advisor, FM Akin trains LCA's strongest coaching team and holds a Master's degree in Law.
Grandmaster · Senior Advisor
GM Vitali Golod
Former champion and top player of Ukraine and Israel, with a peak FIDE rating of 2,606. GM Golod advises LCA's master curriculum. Full Grandmaster coaching is available on our Grandmaster Chess Lessons programme.
Explore Grandmaster coachingMeet Your Private Lesson Coaches
FIDE Masters, International Masters and National Masters, matched to your rating, age and goals for every booking.
International Master
Vlad
Vlad became a National Candidate Master of Ukraine at the age of ten and earned the International Master title in 2020, adding two Grandmaster norms in Sweden in 2022. He was a multiple medallist at Ukrainian youth championships and represented his country at the World Youth Championship. He has coached online since 2019, including at the Kasparov Chess Foundation Baltic Chess Camp, and currently teaches students across the UK, Europe, the US and Canada.
Woman FIDE Master
Ana
Woman FIDE Master Ana brings 18 years of playing and 8 years of coaching experience to the Academy. Her strategic mastery, particularly in the endgame, is very well regarded. Her achievements include winning the girls' World School Championship under 15 and the World Championship under 14 for solving chess compositions. Ana holds bachelor's degrees in History and Psychology, together with a Master's in Education Science.
Woman FIDE Master
Samantha
Woman FIDE Master Samantha is from the Philippines and started playing chess at the age of four. She brings more than 20 years of competitive experience and 5 years of coaching to her lessons, and has represented her country in over ten nations. Away from the board she is a qualified Certified Public Accountant, and her lessons are known for being patient, well structured and clear.
Woman International Master
Marie
Marie began her chess journey at the age of 3 and combines that experience with a Psychology degree that informs her coaching. She caters to all levels and welcomes children as young as 3, teaching in a style that is both enjoyable and firmly results focused. She also offers specialised tournament preparation for aspiring masters who are working towards chess titles.
FIDE Master
Gabriel
Gabriel is a dedicated coach who is committed to sharing his passion for chess with students of all ages and abilities, from young children through to adults, and from complete beginners through to chess masters. His achievements include competing at the Chess Olympiad in 2020, placing second in the U20 Central American and Caribbean Championship in 2019, and winning the U18 National Championship in 2019.
Woman National Master
Vic
Woman National Master Vic is a Psychology graduate who is currently studying for a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. She won gold in the girls' under 18 section at the 20th ASEAN Age Group Championships in Mandalay and took the Philippine National Juniors title in the same year, earning her WNM title. A key player and team captain for the FEU Lady Woodpushers, she has taught for almost three years and builds discipline, focus and confidence alongside chess skill.
Woman National Master
Joy
Joy is a proficient chess coach who holds a Bachelor's degree in Sports Studies and Psychology. She offers instruction to students across the world, ranging from complete beginners and young children through to advanced tournament players. Passionate about the game, Joy is dedicated to helping every member of the chess community reach their fullest potential.
Expert Coach
Mark
A London based chess player and coach with a FIDE rating of 1777, Mark teaches beginners and improving players of all ages, helping them to enjoy the game and reach a competitive level. He plays in the London Chess League and in the county championships for Essex. He was editor of the English Chess Federation magazine Chess Moves for six years and served on the committee of the London Chess League.
Woman FIDE Master
Paulina
Paulina started playing at 10 and earned her Woman FIDE Master title at 15 during the 37th Chess Olympiad in Turin. She focuses on making classes engaging and enjoyable, believing that uncovering the beauty of the game is what keeps a student devoted and produces results. With 16 years of coaching behind her, she holds a bachelor's degree in Communications and a Master's degree in Marketing.
FIDE Master
Michal
Michal is a FIDE Master who teaches with a results focused approach for serious players. Chess is his great passion and he has dedicated most of his life to chasing his chess ambitions. He firmly believes that consistency and hard work are the keys to progress, and he provides study materials for independent work along with solution review sessions. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the Warsaw School of Economics.
Woman International Master
Camelia
Camelia has 10 years of experience teaching chess and a strong tournament record, including three National Champion titles at under 10, under 16 and under 20, and a European team title at under 18. She has coached over 400 students worldwide and creates instructional videos as a chess content creator, streamer and producer of educational material. Camelia holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations.
National Master
Edwin
National Master Edwin is skilled in two teaching approaches, one that is fun and engaging and one that is firmly results focused. He is one of our rare coaches who teaches students as young as 3, using methods designed specifically for young learners. With 20 years of competitive play behind him, including winning the Costa Rican Blitz National Championship in 2020, he also excels at tournament preparation. Beyond chess, his interests include physics, literature and yoga.
Woman International Master
Mikee
Mikee is a Woman International Master with a real talent for coaching children from a very young age, and she provides online lessons to children as young as two. She also specialises in teaching positional chess to adults, helping them to understand the finer intricacies of the game and the relationships between the pieces.
Woman Grandmaster
Gabriela
Gabriela is a Woman Grandmaster with a peak FIDE rating of 2,335. Originally from Bulgaria, she now lives in the United States as part of the renowned chess team at Saint Louis University. Her achievements include five medals at European youth championships, a World Youth Championship bronze, multiple national youth titles and membership of the Bulgarian women's national team. As a coach she is patient and dedicated, tailoring every lesson to the needs of the student.
Contact Us
For more information, private programs or group lessons. Tell us a bit about yourself, and we will get in touch as soon as we can.
Explore memberships Online one-to-one coaching
Enquire Now Ready for online private chess coaching?
Tell us the student's level and goals, and we will help match you with the right coach.
Online Private Chess Lessons - Frequently Asked Questions
Are private lessons better than group lessons?
Private lessons offer distinct advantages:
- Faster Progress: Students typically improve 2-3 times faster compared to group lessons.
- Personalised Approach: We create a customised study plan that identifies your strengths and weaknesses for targeted training.
While group lessons are more affordable and effective, private sessions provide focused, one-to-one attention.
Do you offer a free trial?
Yes. When you sign up for any of our plans, your card is not charged immediately.
- You receive a 7-day free trial, including a trial lesson.
- If you choose not to continue, simply notify us before the trial ends for a no-charge cancellation.
What days and times are the classes offered?
Our private lessons are available daily. You can choose your preferred time slot through our booking system after signing up.
How often are the classes and how long is each one?
Scheduling is flexible to fit your goals:
- Frequency: Most students attend one class per week for steady progress. For tournaments or quicker results, 2-3 classes weekly can be arranged.
- Duration: Standard lessons are 60 minutes, with options for 90-minute or 2-hour sessions for advanced students.
Can I cancel or reschedule a class?
Yes, cancellations or rescheduling are allowed with at least 24 hours' notice.
Can I learn with a Chess Master on the private lessons plan?
Yes. Our private plans include access to titled players, such as Chess Masters, at no additional cost.
I want to learn from a Grandmaster. Do you offer that?
Yes, we provide lessons with world-class Grandmaster coaches through a separate plan. For more information, visit our Grandmaster Coaching page.
Terms and Conditions
- Enjoy a 7-day free trial.
- Cancel 48 hours before the trial ends to avoid any charges.
- After the trial, ongoing charges will apply.
- To cancel and avoid fees, contact us at least 48 hours before the next billing cycle.
