Since March 31st of this year, I’ve played in over 32 USCF tournaments. It’s been a whirlwind of rated games, study, wins, losses, and growth. But let me cut to the real point of this post:
If you want to seriously improve at chess, you need a real coach. Not just an online course. Not just some YouTube playlists. A real human being who can look at your games, talk to you, and tell you what you don’t know you don’t know.
Let me explain.
Coaching Changed Everything
Until recently, I was relying on online courses and self-study. I made progress, but it was slow and inconsistent. I bounced between openings. I second-guessed myself mid-game. And I was losing winnable positions.
Then I found Phil.
He’s a coach I met on Chess.com — goes by TheManFromEngland2080 and is also on Lichess. He teaches via WhatsApp and Lichess Studies. It’s simple and low-pressure — just good, solid coaching from someone who gets how to teach.
Phil charges £25 an hour, and that hour is packed with insights I wouldn’t get from any pre-recorded course. He looks at my games, explains my mistakes, shows better alternatives, and breaks down key ideas in a way that actually sticks. He tailors the lesson to where I’m at, not where a course assumes I should be.
Within weeks of working with Phil, my blitz rating jumped 200 points, and I scored my first win over an 1800 this past Sunday. Then another, and another and finally my first win over a 2200-rated player. And I didn’t just flag them or get lucky. I beat them over the board with solid play and a clean checkmate. That is a win against somebody with 1200 points against my current rating, 1300 points at the time of our match.
The Return of the Scandinavian
One of the biggest surprises for me? Phil helped revive my confidence in the my tactical prowess, and opening theory. I had given up on the Scandinavian Defense for instance but when I had that first big win, that was the open I used.
I had given up on it a while ago. I kept falling for Queen traps, and blowing it. I would rage quit when I thought I was down too much. In fact in that first game against the 1800, I did just that. I dropped my queen early and had to work my way back to a win. After the game Phil told me how impressed he was that I came back from being down a Queen, that I made solid moves even after that unforced error. It is now firmly back in the rotation.
In fact, that win against the 2200? It was a Scandinavian.
Or just scroll through the game below. I’ve changed the Screen-Name of my opponent in link below, but this was a real game.
I also started exploring the Dutch Defense again, and it’s quickly becoming another favorite when I play Black. With a coach, I’m not just learning openings — I’m learning how to think within them.
What a Real Coach Does That a Course Can’t
- Adapts to your strengths and weaknesses in real time.
- Answers your questions immediately.
- Catches the bad habits you don’t know you have.
- Knows when to push you and when to encourage you.
- Turns every game (even your losses) into a lesson.
Courses can be great. YouTube videos can be great. But they are passive. A coach is active. And the feedback is instant.
It’s like the difference between watching a fitness video and hiring a personal trainer. One might inspire you. The other will make sure you’re doing it right.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about improvement, find a coach. Doesn’t have to be Phil (though I obviously recommend him). But get someone who can meet you where you are, help you grow, and keep you accountable.
Chess is a personal game. Your improvement plan should be too.
I’ll continue posting about my progress, my tournaments (like the Kansas Open and U.S. Open), and the lessons I’m learning along the way. But if you take one thing from this post, let it be this:
A real coach will change your game.
Don’t wait to find out the hard way.
Let’s get stronger, together.
If you Do Hire Phil as your Chess Coach Do tell him that you heard about him from me Please.
Also you should come find me on chess.com and LiChess.
If you are in the Kansas City area you should also check out our chess club First City Chess