NM Michel Liah Ferraz

My name is Michel Ferraz and I’m from Brazil. I started playing chess at the age of 15 and became a National Master by 18. I've been working as a chess teacher since 2019, teaching both in schools and through private lessons.

I began learning chess with Grandmaster André Diamant, from Brazil. Later on, I studied with Grandmaster Cristóbal Henríquez Villagra and National Master Igor Mourão. While I’ve won several tournaments, my greatest achievement has been staying persistent in competitive chess, especially during the tough early years. I truly love chess and am always looking to improve — not only for myself, but to help my students grow as well.

I’ve been teaching since I was 18 years old, and I’m currently 23. I have experience working with all ages — from children to seniors. I currently teach at two schools: one for kids and another for high school students. I also give online private lessons.

I have organized and promoted more than 10 chess tournaments in my city. Many of these events take place in public areas — especially bars — to show people that chess can be fun, social, and accessible. Besides chess, I also teach math, chemistry, and physics.

My strongest skill as a player is calculation: being able to analyze a position and calculate multiple tactical lines accurately. As a teacher, my greatest strength is helping students unlock their full potential.

In the first class, I assess the student’s level — their strengths and weaknesses. Then I build a study plan focused on tactics, strategy, and endgames, aiming to improve their ability to calculate and visualize the board more deeply. We also study openings occasionally, but the priority is on helping the student think ahead and make better decisions. Over time, they will improve their board vision, planning skills, and overall understanding of the game — ultimately becoming stronger chess players.