Tournament chess coaching for rated players
Rated and hungry for the next result. Preparation with National Master James Dinham is tailored to your next event, your colour, and the opponents you will actually face — so you arrive sharper and more dangerous than they expect.
Preparation that targets the real event
Generic study is fine off-season. Before a tournament you need focus: the lines your likely opponents play, the positions you handle best, and a plan for the moments that decide rated games. We build exactly that.
- Opponent scouting and targeted prep
- A sharp repertoire suited to your style
- Plans for your critical, must-not-lose positions
Train under the conditions that matter
Rated games are won and lost on the clock. We train tactics under time pressure and rehearse the practical decisions — when to simplify, when to press — so nerves and the clock stop costing you half points.
- Time-pressure and calculation training
- Managing nerves and momentum in a game
- Post-event reviews to compound the gains
For competitors at every level
From your first rated tournament to chasing a title norm, preparation scales to your ambitions. We set concrete goals for the event and a path to reach them.
How to train in the four weeks before an event
Preparation works best planned backwards from the date. Four weeks out we tighten the repertoire so there are no gaps you dread. Two weeks out the work shifts to calculation under a clock, because rated games are lost on time as often as on theory. In the final week we scout likely opponents and taper, so you arrive sharp rather than exhausted.
- Four weeks out: close the repertoire gaps
- Two weeks out: calculation against the clock
- Final week: opponent scouting, then taper
Common questions
- How far before a tournament should we prepare?
- Two to four weeks is ideal for targeted work, but even a focused session or two in the final week can sharpen your repertoire and settle your nerves.
- Can you prepare me against specific opponents?
- Yes. If we know who you are likely to face, we scout their openings and typical plans and build practical preparation aimed squarely at them.
- How do I train for a chess tournament?
- Narrow the work as the date approaches. Long-term study belongs off-season. In the run-up you want a repertoire with no holes, calculation practice under real time pressure, and rest. Playing a few long games at the tournament time control is worth more in the last fortnight than any amount of reading.
- How much does it cost to have a chess coach?
- A single 60-minute session is $100 (R1,800). Players preparing for an event usually take the 5-lesson pack at $350, which is $70 a lesson, so the preparation runs across the whole build-up. Unused lessons stay valid for a year afterwards.
Your next rating starts with one lesson
Book a slot that suits you. If it is not the right fit, the first lesson tells you fast, and there is no obligation to continue.