✅ Hi! My name is Matías Ianovsky, and chess is my passion. I am a FIDE Trainer (FT) and Candidate Master (CM), and I work as a full-time chess coach.
🌎 I have students in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United States.
👨🎓 Certified as FIDE Trainer (the highest trainer title awarded by the International Chess Federation), FIDE Candidate Master (CM), FIDE School Instructor (FSI) and Docente de Ajedrez by the Spain Chess Federation, I have been teaching chess for 22 years in schools, chess clubs and private lessons.
♜ My FIDE ELO is 2218.
📈 My peak ratings online:
Chess: Blitz 2718. Bullet: 2811 (Percentile 99.9%) (User name: "donwhitenoise")
Lichess: Blitz 2676. Bullet: 2855 (Percentile 99.9%) (User name: "BreatEastonEllis")
Top 40 Players Chess 960 Lichess
✍ Legit reviews of my lessons posted on Lichess before they erased reviews from all coach profiles: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1K9IU2UvO1i-NS1hWnUUN1ypAOZiy9jny3J7nryOwTSA/edit#gid=0
You can find more reviews about my classes on my profiles on Superprof and FindTutors.
📩 Email: chessclases@gmail.com (Yes, with one 's')
Lichess Inbox: lichess.org/inbox/borocotoajua00
CM Matías Ianovsky.
One method, three words: Train, Analyze and Play.
| Location | Buenos Aires Argentina |
|---|---|
| Languages | Español, English (US) |
| Rating | FIDE: 2218283326022407 |
| Hourly rate | 40 USD |
| Availability | Accepting students |
| Active |
About me
Playing experience
🏆 I dedicated my youth to playing professional chess, achieving success by winning championships at the South American, National, and Local levels. Additionally, I had the honor of representing my country in Pan-American and World Youth Chess Championships held abroad.
Teaching experience
👨🏫 After 22 years of teaching chess to people of all ages and skill levels, I've distilled the key to chess improvement into three fundamental pillars: Train, Analyze, and Play (TAP). These pillars form the foundation of my lessons. However, beyond this structured approach lies the most important element: personalization. My classes are always tailored to your unique needs, with the content, pace, methods, and training materials adapted to your individual skills and chess goals.
Other experiences
🏫👨🏫 I’m the owner and director of the online chess academy ReyesyPeones. I coordinate a team of five coaches, and we currently have around 70 students (reyesypeones.com/)
🏛️ I hold degrees in Political Science from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) and Journalism (ISEC).
🏛️ I hold degrees in Political Science from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) and Journalism (ISEC).
Best skills
💖 Passion for Chess! (the most important thing) Method, Patience, Empathy, Tailored lessons, Adaptation to the students interest, level, and objective. Structured study plans. Lessons in English and Spanish.
✍🏻 Some student's reviews (more on Superprof and FindTutors):
Sam ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️:
For a long time, I was skeptical of the value of private chess coaching---after all, I could get a whole book for the price of an hour lesson. But I decided to give it a try with Matias, and he has provided amazing value for the price.
First, there's the value of the chess content. You're not just paying for the hour lesson, but for a wealth of weekly training materials he sends to you, directly tailored to your skill level. The materials come in a wide variety--combination puzzles, checkmating pattern tests, positional tests, games to analyze, youtube videos about topics we discussed, and more. I have found every single one of these materials interesting and helpful, and challenging enough to be satisfying but never feeling way over my head.
Second, there's the value of the lessons themselves. Matias is a really nice guy--encouraging, supportive, and just fun to work with. Looking forward to my weekly lesson with him helps keep me motivated. He is very flexible about what the lessons themselves look like--if you want to talk about a certain topic, say an opening, or analyze some of your games you can do that. If you're not sure what you want to do, Matias is ready with fascinating and instructive grandmaster games, positional puzzles, endgame exercises, and more.
I highly recommend Matias to any amateur looking to improve their level, or just to have fun. Even if I were not seeing my level improve, which I am, I would still take these lessons, they're just that fun!
Alex ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️:
Matías is an unbelievably thoughtful instructor. After the first couple of lessons, I could feel the level of preparation and attention to detail through his chess exercises. In the beginning, he expressed his big picture idea for teaching chess, and since then, he continues to back up his macro level strategy for teaching with incredibly intentional puzzles. Each puzzle hits precisely on an area of my brain that Matías intends to develop; sometimes I can’t help but smile when he shows me a new exercise and I can feel the specific muscle in my brain trying to solve the problem
It's obvious to me that Matías spends an enormous amount of time designing and refining his lesson plans. It’s also clear to me that his passion for the game makes the experience of each lesson singular. Whether it’s a chess story he tells as an anecdote before he reveals the next puzzle, or a moment where he bursts with appreciation for a brilliant chess move, the lessons are always exciting and engaging
I’m looking forward to future lessons with Matías, and am beyond impressed with the experience he’s created.
Thanks Matías!
Liam ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️:
Matias has been fantastic at understanding my skill level (1600 elo) and then building personalised lessons to help me improve. These are very engaging and although sometimes tough, I always end the lesson feeling like I've really benefited.
My chess calculation and understanding of positions in particular have improved massively and I can see a direct improvement in the results I'm having over the board. Matias is also great at going through my over-the-board games with me and can easily describe specific ideas, which is better than simply looking at a 10-move engine line and trying to understand why the computer thinks you're winning at the end.
Would thoroughly recommend Matias!
Russell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: I've taken lessons from over a dozen chess coaches over the years: grandmasters, masters, and experts, and Matías is one of the best. He is meticulous, organized, and thoughtful, which means you get the most out of every lesson with him (and the time in between, if you want!). And he makes each lesson fun and engaging both through his welcoming personality and an effective mix of puzzles, games, and exercises to ensure variety. I already see my chess getting better from lessons with Matías after just a few sessions.
Trust me, you don't want to miss out on lessons with Matías!
Sander ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️:
Matías is fantastic! Really fantastic.
I first became interested in chess as an adult. Before working with Matías I was teaching myself. I hit a wall. I just stopped getting better. I knew what I needed to work on... or I thought I did. I did more chessable spaced repetition for openings, played more games and watched more YouTube videos (thinking processes, endgames, tactics, instructional GM games.
Matías is like a chess doctor... he basically diagnosed my game. Rather than teaching me what I don't understand, he works to understand how I am thinking about the game.
Analyzing my games, tutoring openings based on my style, personalized homework/study plans.
I have been working with Matías for about five years now and my rating has gained over 800 elo (2250 lichess peak). He delivers the results!
Excellent English, timely, reliable, cool, relaxed dude.
✍🏻 Some student's reviews (more on Superprof and FindTutors):
Sam ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️:
For a long time, I was skeptical of the value of private chess coaching---after all, I could get a whole book for the price of an hour lesson. But I decided to give it a try with Matias, and he has provided amazing value for the price.
First, there's the value of the chess content. You're not just paying for the hour lesson, but for a wealth of weekly training materials he sends to you, directly tailored to your skill level. The materials come in a wide variety--combination puzzles, checkmating pattern tests, positional tests, games to analyze, youtube videos about topics we discussed, and more. I have found every single one of these materials interesting and helpful, and challenging enough to be satisfying but never feeling way over my head.
Second, there's the value of the lessons themselves. Matias is a really nice guy--encouraging, supportive, and just fun to work with. Looking forward to my weekly lesson with him helps keep me motivated. He is very flexible about what the lessons themselves look like--if you want to talk about a certain topic, say an opening, or analyze some of your games you can do that. If you're not sure what you want to do, Matias is ready with fascinating and instructive grandmaster games, positional puzzles, endgame exercises, and more.
I highly recommend Matias to any amateur looking to improve their level, or just to have fun. Even if I were not seeing my level improve, which I am, I would still take these lessons, they're just that fun!
Alex ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️:
Matías is an unbelievably thoughtful instructor. After the first couple of lessons, I could feel the level of preparation and attention to detail through his chess exercises. In the beginning, he expressed his big picture idea for teaching chess, and since then, he continues to back up his macro level strategy for teaching with incredibly intentional puzzles. Each puzzle hits precisely on an area of my brain that Matías intends to develop; sometimes I can’t help but smile when he shows me a new exercise and I can feel the specific muscle in my brain trying to solve the problem
It's obvious to me that Matías spends an enormous amount of time designing and refining his lesson plans. It’s also clear to me that his passion for the game makes the experience of each lesson singular. Whether it’s a chess story he tells as an anecdote before he reveals the next puzzle, or a moment where he bursts with appreciation for a brilliant chess move, the lessons are always exciting and engaging
I’m looking forward to future lessons with Matías, and am beyond impressed with the experience he’s created.
Thanks Matías!
Liam ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️:
Matias has been fantastic at understanding my skill level (1600 elo) and then building personalised lessons to help me improve. These are very engaging and although sometimes tough, I always end the lesson feeling like I've really benefited.
My chess calculation and understanding of positions in particular have improved massively and I can see a direct improvement in the results I'm having over the board. Matias is also great at going through my over-the-board games with me and can easily describe specific ideas, which is better than simply looking at a 10-move engine line and trying to understand why the computer thinks you're winning at the end.
Would thoroughly recommend Matias!
Russell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: I've taken lessons from over a dozen chess coaches over the years: grandmasters, masters, and experts, and Matías is one of the best. He is meticulous, organized, and thoughtful, which means you get the most out of every lesson with him (and the time in between, if you want!). And he makes each lesson fun and engaging both through his welcoming personality and an effective mix of puzzles, games, and exercises to ensure variety. I already see my chess getting better from lessons with Matías after just a few sessions.
Trust me, you don't want to miss out on lessons with Matías!
Sander ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️:
Matías is fantastic! Really fantastic.
I first became interested in chess as an adult. Before working with Matías I was teaching myself. I hit a wall. I just stopped getting better. I knew what I needed to work on... or I thought I did. I did more chessable spaced repetition for openings, played more games and watched more YouTube videos (thinking processes, endgames, tactics, instructional GM games.
Matías is like a chess doctor... he basically diagnosed my game. Rather than teaching me what I don't understand, he works to understand how I am thinking about the game.
Analyzing my games, tutoring openings based on my style, personalized homework/study plans.
I have been working with Matías for about five years now and my rating has gained over 800 elo (2250 lichess peak). He delivers the results!
Excellent English, timely, reliable, cool, relaxed dude.
Teaching methodology
✅ The lessons are both challenging and entertaining, and you will need to find creative solutions to different scenarios. Depending on your level and goals, we will cover a wide range of topics: calculation, tactics, theoretical endgames, positional play, dynamics, openings, pawn structures, planning, blindfold training, visualization, swindles, pattern recognition, and more.
Besides, we will also cover more specific topics, such as: intuition versus calculation, time management, building an opening repertoire, the practical use of artistic problems, making the best use of chess engines and databases, and the psychological aspects of decision-making.
After each lesson, I send homework related to the content we've studied (puzzles, games, multiple-choice tests, videos, books, databases, and more).
I believe one of the highlights of my classes is the constant contact I maintain with my students. They can always reach out to ask questions or share thoughts about chess, even outside lesson time.
As a coach, my main goal isn’t just to help my students improve their skills, but also to ensure they enjoy the process. Each lesson must be rich in content, challenging, and fun—all at once. To me, that’s a must.
❗❗ You can try a first 30 min lesson free of charge
In that lesson, through a series of selected puzzles, I will test your skills and thinking process in concrete positions. Then, if you like the content and dynamic, we can build a training plan and start working on it on a regular basis.
Let's learn chess together and take your game to the next level!
Besides, we will also cover more specific topics, such as: intuition versus calculation, time management, building an opening repertoire, the practical use of artistic problems, making the best use of chess engines and databases, and the psychological aspects of decision-making.
After each lesson, I send homework related to the content we've studied (puzzles, games, multiple-choice tests, videos, books, databases, and more).
I believe one of the highlights of my classes is the constant contact I maintain with my students. They can always reach out to ask questions or share thoughts about chess, even outside lesson time.
As a coach, my main goal isn’t just to help my students improve their skills, but also to ensure they enjoy the process. Each lesson must be rich in content, challenging, and fun—all at once. To me, that’s a must.
❗❗ You can try a first 30 min lesson free of charge
In that lesson, through a series of selected puzzles, I will test your skills and thinking process in concrete positions. Then, if you like the content and dynamic, we can build a training plan and start working on it on a regular basis.
Let's learn chess together and take your game to the next level!