FM Milan Popovic

Hello!

My name is Milan Popović and I am 30 years old. I am an FM rated 2393 with two IM norms, from Novi Sad, Serbia.
I am also a big fan of online bullet and blitz chess, where I've had the opportunity to play against many of top 10 players. Below is a link to the bullet match I played against GM Magnus Carlsen.
Besides chess, I hold a bachelor's degree in gastronomy.
If you are interested in working together contact me here, or at my e-mail (popmilan95@gmail.com). I am available for both lessons and training games!

I have 20 years of experience as an active chess player.
Besides the classical chess where I crossed 2300 rating in 2018. and became a FM,
I enjoy playing rapid and blitz tournaments, where I won many of them.
My peak FIDE ratings are 2402 (live) in classical, 2497 in rapid, and 2483 in blitz.

Here are some of my favourite tournament victories:

Rapid tournament Aquapark 2019: s3.chess-results.com/tnr461054.aspx?lan=1&art=1&SNode=S0
Rapid tournament Dunavski Bal 2022: http://chess-results.com/tnr655921.aspx?lan=1&art=1
Rapid tournament Memorial Igor Naumkin 2023- chess-results.com/tnr792253.aspx?lan=1&art=1
Rapid tournament Dunavski Bal 2023- With a perfect score 9/9, and a rating performance of 2965! : chess-results.com/tnr790236.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=9

In 2018, I represented Chess Club Partizan on board 2 at the European Club Cup — one of Europe's strongest team events.
Currently, I'm a member of Spartak Subotica, one of the top teams in the Serbian First League.
I am still an active player!

I have five years of coaching experience, both online and in-person.
So far I have worked with players of all levels and ages — from complete beginners taking their first steps in the game to titled players rated over 2300 FIDE Elo.
While many of my current students are talented youngsters, I also have extensive experience helping motivated adult improvers reach new heights and break through plateaus.
For example, one of my talented young students progressed from 1960 to over 2300 FIDE within two years.
We cover all aspects of the game — openings, middlegame strategy, endgames — with a strong emphasis on building a personalized opening repertoire tailored to your playing style, strengths, and specific goals.

Training Games:
I have done many training sessions with my students.
That is an excellent way to test your openings and gain a valuable experience.
You have full flexibility:
You can choose any time control, or even opening that you would like to practice. Also, you can choose to just play, but we can also devote some time to post-game analysis- completely up to you.

Tournament Preparation:
I have a significant experience in tournament preparation as a second, helping my students prepare for a specific opponents.
If your tournament is coming up soon and you would like to have a second who will prepare you for every game- feel free to reach out, I will make sure, you're fully ready and confident!

As a player I always try to pose problems to my opponent from the first moves. I like to play sharp and tactical chess, but from time to time I enjoy playing positional way.
My experience has shown that a quality and stable opening repertoire combined with permanent work on all other aspects of the game is the key to success.

I can teach you all parts of chess game, including many openings.
I usually enjoy teaching stuff that I play, because that is where I put a lot of work to understand all secrets of the opening, arising middlegame and the endgame. While we are working on the openings we will look at the most important model games, pawn structures and the middlegames.
Here is my repertoire:
White:
Sharp and tactical 1.e4- from gambits, systems to main lines and modern theory
Positional 1.d4- Modern London system, anti-Grunfeld and anti-Kings Indian lines
Uncompromising Jobava London
Black:
vs 1.e4- Najdorf Sicilian, Philidor defence, Caro-kann defence, Ruy Lopez
vs 1.d4- Kings Indian defence, Queen's gambit accepted, Queen's gambit declined
vs 1.Nf3 and c4 various easy to learn lines and systems

Apart from the openings I can teach you:

Basic and advanced elements of the chess strategy
How to assess the position and find a plan
Positional techniques in chess
How to calculate in chess; Important elements of effective chess calculation
Techniques and process of attack
Initiative in chess
Endgame strategy, theoretical endgames
Chess structures, etc.

The first step always is the analysis of the games. This is the key to learn more about student's strengths, weaknesses, and playing style. According to that I create a training program for every student in particular. My goal is never instant success, but long term improvement in chess knowledge and understanding.
I prefer to run my lessons on Lichess (study section with analysis board), or to share my screen while using chessbase program. As a communication platform I use Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or Discord.

If we work on openings, I always provide students with analysis files.