All information on this page is sourced from the official Lichess Coaches Directory. If you are a chess coach based in New York and wish to add your name here, please contact us.
New York City has one of the richest chess cultures in the world—historic clubs, world-class tournaments, and a thriving community of adult improvers, scholastic players, and professional coaches. Whether you’re a beginner eager to learn fundamentals or an advanced player aiming for master titles, NYC offers a broad range of elite trainers.
This pillar page highlights the best chess coaches in New York City, along with their teaching styles, achievements, and unique strengths.
♟️ Grandmasters (GM) Coaching in NYC
GM Oliver Barbosa (New York City)
Founder – Barbosa Elite School of Chess
About the Coach
GM Oliver Barbosa is a renowned grandmaster and an elite trainer known for his structured, student-first approach. With years of top-level play and coaching behind him, he focuses heavily on helping students truly understand chess—not just memorize moves.
Teaching Style & Methodology
- Specializes in middlegame planning, positional understanding, and opening preparation
- Lessons customized after a detailed evaluation of a student’s strengths and weaknesses
- Provides homework after every session
- Offers training games and deep practical insights
Why Choose GM Barbosa?
His approach is perfect for players who want strong fundamentals, strategic depth, and high-level opening knowledge.
Profile: lichess.org/coach/gmbarbosachess
GM Tair Vahidov (New York City)
A highly accomplished grandmaster with over 20 years of coaching experience, including training national teams.
Playing Experience Highlights
- Gold medalist, Asian Team Chess Championship
- Represented Uzbekistan in 8 Chess Olympiads
- Competed in World Team Championships
- Former national coach of Uzbekistan and Brunei
Teaching Style & Methodology
- Focuses on identifying and correcting student shortcomings
- Expertise across strategy, openings, endgames, and tactics
- Personalized improvement plans
- Students have achieved FM, IM, and GM titles
Why Choose GM Vahidov?
Ideal for serious improvers, tournament players, and advanced adults looking for professional-grade guidance.
Profile: lichess.org/coach/UzbekTiger63
GM Andrew Tang (Penguingm1) – New York, NY
One of the world’s most famous online chess personalities, especially known for bullet and hyperbullet.
Playing Credentials
- FIDE Rating: 2538
- 2014 North American Junior Champion (U20)
- 2× Minnesota State Champion
- Popular streamer on Twitch & Lichess
Teaching Style & Methodology
- Offers training games across all time controls
- Especially skilled at bullet, hyperbullet, intuition training, and fast decision-making
- No deep analysis—pure practical training focus
Why Choose GM Andrew Tang?
Perfect for players who want to sharpen calculation, speed chess skills, and intuition.
Profile: lichess.org/coach/penguingim1
NM Shawn Martinez (New York City)
A beloved NYC chess personality, educator, and National Master with a deep background in scholastic and community chess.
About the Coach
- Ranked among the Top 100 players in New York
- Originated from the legendary I.S. 318 (featured in Brooklyn Castle)
- Featured in New York Times & Kings of New York
- Known for inspiring students with life lessons through chess
Teaching Experience
- 10+ years teaching across NYC schools
- Worked at Success Academy, Trinity Private School, P.S. 166, P.S. 75, The School at Columbia University
- Experience with students from Early Childhood to High School, including students with different learning needs
- Coached school teams to high placements in city and state tournaments
Why Choose NM Shawn?
Excellent for kids, beginners, or intermediate students looking for structured, supportive, and relatable coaching.
Profile: lichess.org/coach/PushingPawnsNYC
NM Nick Matta (New York City)
A dedicated full-time coach with 15+ years of teaching experience, known for his strong study methods and student-centered sessions.
About the Coach
- FIDE Rating: 2303
- Improved from 1500 to 2300+ in 5 years, making him extremely effective for adult improvers
- Studied with top names such as GM Kaidanov, GM Safarli, and IM John Bartholomew
- Has coached a wide range of students—from beginners to GM-elects
Teaching Style & Methodology
- Highly prepared lessons based on individual student needs
- Emphasis on opening preparation, solving themed exercises, and active learning
- Provides structured homework and study plans
- Helps players break through plateaus using disciplined improvement methods
Why Choose NM Nick Matta?
Ideal for motivated adult improvers, scholastic champions, and anyone who needs structured, long-term improvement.
Profile: lichess.org/coach/nickmatta
WIM Viktoria Ni (New York, NYC)
A globally renowned coach, bestselling author, and U.S. Women’s National Team player with over 13 years of professional coaching experience.
About the Coach
- FIDE Rating: 2230
- Author of the bestselling Winning Chess Exercises for Kids (Penguin Random House)
- Represented the USA at Women’s World Team Championships 2013 & 2015
- Taught thousands of students worldwide—from Chicago to Shanghai to NYC
- Has competed in over 80 countries
Teaching Experience
- Lead instructor in major U.S., Chinese, and international academies
- Teaches students of all ages, both online and in-person
- Known for blending strategy, creativity, and confidence-building
Best Skills
- Problem solving
- Pattern recognition
- Creative and strategic thinking
- Helping students perform under pressure
Why Choose WIM Viktoria Ni?
Perfect for beginners, ambitious kids, and adults who enjoy a structured, creative, and supportive coaching style.
Profile: lichess.org/coach/inakiv
Finding the Right Chess Coach in NYC
New York City offers an incredible variety of chess coaches—from world-class Grandmasters to highly experienced National Masters and internationally traveled educators. Whether you want to boost your online rating, compete in OTB tournaments, or learn chess fundamentals, NYC has a coach for every need.
This guide is created using information sourced directly from the Lichess Coaches Directory.
📩 If you are a chess coach based in NYC and would like to be featured on this page, please contact us.