IM Oliwia Kiolbasa

Hi! :)

I’m Oliwia - a 25-year-old International Master from Poland who has been playing chess professionally for most of her life. You may know me as the girl who went on to 9/9 at the Chennai Olympiad 2022.

Additionally, I hold the bachelor's degree in Psychology in management and like to run marathons in my spare time.

I’ve been playing chess for 19 years now (damn, I feel old), professionally since I was 10yo. Won ~30 medals in youth categories, including 3 gold and 4 silver medals at European and World youth championships.

My most important successes were:

- gold medal individually at the Olympiad 2022
- bronze medal at European Women’s Championship 2021
- silver medal at European Women’s Championship 2023
- got my first GM norm at Cesme Open 2025

I started teaching in 2019 and became national Polish instructor. I have experience teaching students of every level, from absolute beginner to ambitious tournament player, and I enjoy the different nuances that come from every student, so, whatever the level and ambition, if you love chess I will create the right plan for you and we will work well together.

I’m the type of player always striving for activity, but also appreciating a positional (more classical) approach to the game. I was formed in the Polish chess school so that’s where my foundations were laid and where I studied classical chess, and from then I evolved trying to find my own style of playing and teaching. I’m interested in discovering unconventional themes and openings, not following well-known paths. I strongly believe in understanding the position, rather than just memorising stuff, cause you will need the confidence to play the position you have and that confidence comes also from working on it.

At first we’ll try to identify your strong and weak sides so we know what to put most focus on. Analysing your own games is the most important for improvement and I always put big effort into it. Depending on your goals and level we will create a tailored plan for you to work on every area of the game, so expect some strategy, tactics and endgames. Openings are an individual matter, so we will try to find the kind of positions most suitable for you without having to memorise tons of analysis.

The improvement plan we will tailor it to your needs and goals and follow up on it regularly, however always remember that best results are achieved with steady work. If you’re interested DM me and we will make you a better chess player together! :)