

James's email address and phone number have been validated.
James
- Rate 548 GHS
- Response 1h

548 GHS/hr
1st lesson free
- Chess
Learn chess with personalised training and feedback from a Chess Master and national rapidplay champion!
- Chess
Lesson location
Recommended
James is a respected member of our tutor community. He is highly recommended for his commitment and the quality of his lessons. An excellent choice to progress with confidence.
About James
Hi, I'm James and I've been playing chess for over 20 years. After first starting as a child and improving all the way to earn my Candidate Master title, I've explored many different approaches to chess improvement and experienced plenty of challenges along the way.
I know how frustrating it can be to feel stuck in your chess journey, and I believe that having the right coach can make all the difference. I've helped players of all levels overcome plateaus, build confidence, and take their chess to the next level. It is my firm belief that anyone can make significant progress with the right guidance, motivation, and a clear plan for improvement.
Whether you're just learning the basics, looking to improve your online rating, or preparing for over-the-board tournaments, I'd love to help you achieve your chess goals!
About the lesson
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- +1
levels :
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Child
- English
All languages in which the lesson is available :
English
I believe the best way to find areas of improvement is to analyse your own games for mistakes, and really dig into where you went wrong (or right!).
A typical lesson from me would include some warmup puzzles, followed by some analysis of either Grandmaster games or your own. Finally we would finish with some targeted puzzles to work on specific and recurring mistakes in your game.
As in my own chess, I focus on understanding and calculation rather than memorisation, and a lesson may hone in on any of the following topics:
- Openings
- Strategy and Positional Play
- Important Endgames
- Typical Tactical Motifs
- Practical Play and Time Management
Afterwards I send out a lesson recap of everything we covered with the key points in order to make absorbing material easy, and everything covered is accessible in a lichess study after the lesson.
Recommendations
Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the teacher
I can’t recommend James highly enough. Beyond being a strong player, he is a remarkably kind, friendly, and respectful person—he takes your ideas seriously, regardless of your chess level.
With his guidance, I went from 1350 to 1750+ Rapid on Chess.com, covering every aspect of my game - piece optimization, correct trades, middlegame plans, and evaluating endgames. He opened my mind to positional sacrifices and initiative over material, taught me how to balance calculation and intuition in decision-making, and showed me how to "feel the temperature" of a position—knowing when it demands direct aggression versus solid building. Off the board, he also helped me navigate the psychological ups and downs of chess progress.
James has a huge library of study resources tailored to any opening, and a talent for explaining advanced concepts in clear, simple terms. His passion during analysis is truly infectious!
If you want to raise your rating and genuinely enjoy the game more by virtue of understanding it better, James is the perfect coach!James was nothing short of a phenomenal coach and an incredible person. His knowledge of chess is only surpassed by his skill. Under his guidance, my rapid rating more than doubled in just a couple months. Beyond the board, James is a fantastic communicator, a compassionate coach, and has such a passion for chess that I couldn't help but be inspired! James not only helped me improve my knowledge and build a repertoire, he patiently helped me fight through mental blocks on concepts I was struggling with. I don't think that I could recommend James enough. I Implore you to let James be a guide on your chess journey, you wont regret it.
James is a very strong player, but what makes him a great coach is how clearly he explains ideas, how he turns mistakes into lessons, and how well he understands the mental side of chess. He’s also a top lad, friendly and easy to work with. Any student working with him will improve faster and enjoy the process.
Daniel Kozusek, FM, 4× Welsh ChampionJames is a very strong player, but what makes him a great coach is how clearly he explains ideas, how he turns mistakes into lessons, and how well he understands the mental side of chess. He’s also a top lad, friendly and easy to work with. Any student working with him will improve faster and enjoy the process.
I've played James a number of times now and he's clearly a strong player who puts a lot of thought into his chess. I've noticed he takes his time in critical positions to really understand what's going on, which is something I tend to see in stronger players.
I've also seen him analysing games with lower rated players, asking questions and getting them to think through positions rather than just giving them the answers. He's enthusiastic about chess and clearly puts the time and effort into helping others improve. I'd definitely recommend him.
View more recommendations
Rates
Rate
- 548 GHS
Pack prices
- 5h: 2,347 GHS
- 10h: 4,693 GHS
Travel
- + 10 GHS
free lessons
The first free lesson with James will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.
- 1hr
online
- GHS548/h
Similar Chess teachers in Cardiff
-
![teacher_picture]()
Maud
Tema & Online- New
Learn chess with a 2-time west african women’s champion, 2025 ghana national women’s champion, and 4-time chess olympiad representative.
- GHS250/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Nart murat
New York & Online- Ambassador
Private chess lessons with a world top 500 chess.com player (2900+ bullet) and fide arena grandmaster (agm)
- GHS701/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Olivier
Rouen & Online- Ambassador
International chess master – personalised coaching to improve efficiently and sustainably
- GHS913/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Antoine
Paris 1er & Online- Ambassador
Chess lessons from 3 years old with an experienced teacher former youth champion
- GHS1,305/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Victor
Dearing & Online- Ambassador
National chess expert with experience in worldwide competitions, teaches personalized chess lessons for all levels.
- GHS409/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Agil
Melbourne & Online- Ambassador
Fide 2508 and former world under-16 champion: online chess lessons that find exactly why you lose, and fix it
- GHS634/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Daniel
Seattle & Online- Ambassador
Improve your game with 2400 rated experienced national player and coach. fun expert chess tutoring for both kids and adults!!:. unlock your hidden chesstalent!
- GHS292/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Dragan
London & Online- Ambassador
Fide candidate master with 19 years of playing experience, 3+ years of teaching chess to kids and adults, and an online rating exceeding 2700.
- GHS626/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Dragan
Los Angeles & Online- Ambassador
Multiple national champion with 3 years of coaching experience and 100+ satisfied students worldwide. whether you’re just starting or already competing, i’ll help you reach full potential!
- GHS584/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Adrien
Nantes & Online- Ambassador
For beginners and players rated under 1600 fide - you will fall in love with chess!
- GHS378/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Dragan
Toronto & Online- Ambassador
Chess lessons with a fide candidate master—online rating over 2700, peak fide classical rating of 2245, 18 years of competitive experience, and more than 3 years of coaching background.
- GHS498/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Aman
London & Online- Ambassador
Blindfold chess specialist. learn from a highly skilled chess coach today!" i am fide international rated player and certified chess coach.
- GHS313/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Joy
Montreal & Online- Ambassador
Coach of canada's junior & youth chess champion | internationally certified chess instructor | teaching since 1996
- GHS415/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Aman
Brooklyn & Online- Ambassador
Chess.com 2500 rated player. top 000.1% trained many champions with 15 years of experience.
- GHS350/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Valery
Brooklyn & Online- Ambassador
Chess grandmaster and coach with 19 years of experience. i work with adults and kids.
- GHS2,044/h
-
![teacher_picture]()
Keyana
Iraan & Online- Ambassador
A passionate professional chess player and certified coach with over a decade of experience in competitive chess!
- GHS234/h
-
![teacher_picture]()
Emmanuel
Seattle & Online- Ambassador
International-level chess coach | fun and personalized chess lessons for anyone at any level!
- GHS292/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Simon
London & Online- Ambassador
Professional chess coach and academy founder specializing in structured adult improvement programs
- GHS626/h
-
![teacher_picture]()
Adrien
Paris 16e & Online- Ambassador
Grandmaster helps you making progress or to discover the game of chess!
- GHS1,305/h
-
![teacher_picture]()
Davayne
Baldwinsville & Online- Ambassador
Chess teacher with 11 months of masterclass experience gives online group lessons
- GHS234/h
- 1st lesson free
-
See Chess tutors




















