"Hi, I'm Dennis! I've been playing chess for over 10 years. My journey in chess has been deeply influenced by the great Soviet masters, whose games and teaching materials provide timeless lessons in strategy and tactics. I have studied and drawn inspiration from several classic texts, including Power Chess by Paul Keres, The Soviet Chess Primer by Ilya Maizelis, The Complete Manual of Positional Chess: The Russian Chess School by Konstantin Landa and Konstantin Sakaev, and Soviet Chess Championship, 1941 by Mikhail Botvinnik, among others. These books have shaped my understanding of the game and are central to how I approach chess tutoring.

When it comes to teaching, I place a strong emphasis on studying master games. By analyzing the decisions of top-level players, I help students understand the logic behind every move rather than relying on rote memorization. This approach is especially important when it comes to opening principles and basic endgames. I believe it's crucial to grasp the reasoning behind opening moves and to develop a flexible understanding of different structures before memorizing specific lines. In doing so, students build a solid foundation for making informed decisions in any position.

One of the most important lessons in chess, as in life, is not to be discouraged by losses. Every defeat is an opportunity for growth, and it’s essential to view each setback as a valuable learning experience. After a loss, I always recommend reviewing the game carefully, analyzing each move, and identifying areas where different decisions could have been made. It’s easy to get caught up in the frustration of a mistake or missed opportunity, but by focusing on what could have been done better, you can turn those setbacks into stepping stones for improvement." less...