GM Igor Smirnov important tips on chess coaching
There’s one important thing that I’d like to emphasise here. A student usually does NOT know what he/she really needs. “To know the road ahead, ask those coming back”. How can you know what you need in order to advance to the next level, if you have never even been on that next level? Naturally, you enjoy those parts of the game in which you perform well. And you may dislike those parts of the game that you are failing in. This is normal for all chess players. Now, if you dislike defence, and you don’t know this topic well and it seems hard and uncomfortable for you – you’ll never master it. So here is where a coach should come and force you to do what you don’t want to do (the things he knows you NEED and MUST do). This will eliminate your weakness, will bring you nice victories and… you’ll start enjoying defence! :D A student usually does NOT know what he/she really needs. This is reality. You can admit it and go forward, or stick with your delusions. The choice i
