Chess Tutor in Brooklyn

People often ask me why I've spent more than forty years teaching children to play chess.

The answer has very little to do with chess.

Many years ago, I experienced a heartbreaking event that made me stop and think about the kind of world our children were growing up in. I found myself asking a simple but life-changing question:

"What can one person do to make a difference?"

I wasn't a politician.

I wasn't a celebrity.

I was simply a chess player.

Then I realized something that changed the course of my life.

Every game of chess teaches one powerful habit:

Before you make a move...
Think about what happens next.

That simple habit reaches far beyond the chessboard.

Children who learn to pause, think ahead, solve problems, and consider consequences develop skills that help them throughout school—and throughout life.

That was the moment chess became more than a game to me.

It became my life's work.

For more than four decades, I have dedicated myself to helping children become better thinkers—not because I believe every child should become a chess champion, but because every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Some of my students have gone on to attend schools like Princeton and Phillips Academy Andover. Others have become National Masters, professionals, teachers, and leaders in their own communities.

Those achievements make me proud.

But what makes me proudest is watching children grow into thoughtful, confident adults who know how to solve problems, overcome challenges, and believe in themselves.

One of the first lessons I teach children is that memory is useful, but it is not enough.

I often tell my students:

"Memory is like a bad friend. It is never there when you need it."

Then I explain the difference between memory and understanding.

I might ask a child, “What did you have for lunch last Wednesday?”

Usually their face changes. Their eyes look up. They start searching their mind for the answer.

Then I ask, “What is one plus one?”

They answer immediately: “Two.”

That is the difference.

The lunch question requires memory. The math question comes from understanding.

Chess should be taught the same way.

I do not want children simply repeating moves they were told to memorize. I want them to understand why a move works, what it threatens, what it allows, and what might happen next.

This is why I focus so much on questions.

What is my opponent threatening?

What changed after that move?

What are my checks, captures, and threats?

What happens if I make this move?

These questions teach children to slow down, think ahead, and take responsibility for their decisions.

That is why chess is so powerful. It gives children a safe place to practice thinking before acting.

Chess is not about remembering the right move.
It is about learning how to find it.

If you visited a fine tailor to have a suit made, you wouldn't expect them to hand you the same suit they gave the last customer.

They would measure you.

They would learn about you.

They would understand exactly what you need before making a single cut.

That is exactly how I believe chess should be taught.

Every lesson begins with understanding the child.

Some children are naturally aggressive.

Some are cautious thinkers.

Some need confidence.

Some need patience.

Some learn best by seeing.

Others learn by doing.

Before I decide what to teach, I first discover how your child learns.

Over more than forty years of teaching, I have learned that every child has strengths waiting to be discovered.

Some children need to become more confident.

Some need to slow down before making decisions.

Some need encouragement.

Some simply need someone who believes in them.

That is why I spend time getting to know every student.

When I understand how a child thinks, I can design lessons that challenge them, motivate them, and help them grow—not only as chess players, but as thinkers.

Every lesson is personally designed around one simple question:

"What does this child need most today?"

Sometimes the answer is tactics.

Sometimes it is strategy.

Sometimes it is confidence.

Sometimes it is simply hearing someone say,

"I believe you can do this."

That is why my students don't simply become better chess players.

They become more confident learners, better problem solvers, and stronger thinkers.

A good chess teacher should not simply sit down and “play a few games” with your child.

Your child deserves a plan.

At Chess for Children, I use a step-by-step learning roadmap that helps children build real understanding. We do not rush. We build the foundation first, then add new skills as the child becomes ready.

The goal is not to memorize moves.
The goal is to understand the game.

What parents can expect

After the first few lessons, your child should begin to feel more comfortable with the board, the pieces, and the basic goals of the game.

As lessons continue, your child will begin to recognize patterns, ask better questions, avoid simple mistakes, and understand why certain moves are stronger than others.

Over time, the goal is for your child to become an independent thinker — someone who can look at a position, slow down, examine choices, and make a thoughtful decision.

We are not just building chess players.
We are building thinkers.

One of the questions parents ask me most often is:

"What happens during the first lesson?"

The answer surprises many parents.

I don't begin by opening a chess book.

I don't begin by giving your child a lecture.

And I certainly don't begin by trying to impress them with how much I know.

Instead...

I begin by getting to know your child.

1. Build Trust

Children learn best when they feel comfortable. Before we can build better chess players, we have to build confidence. I want every child to enjoy learning and feel excited about coming back.

2. Discover How Your Child Thinks

Every child sees the chessboard differently. Some calculate quickly. Some are creative. Some are cautious. Some rush. Some hesitate.

My job is to understand how your child approaches problems before deciding what to teach.

3. Identify Strengths

Every child already has strengths. Some children simply haven't discovered them yet.

One of my goals during the first lesson is finding those strengths and helping your child build upon them.

4. Identify Gaps

I also look for areas that need attention.

Maybe your child rushes. Maybe they miss tactics. Maybe they don't understand planning. Maybe they lack confidence.

Finding these gaps allows me to create a personalized learning plan.

5. Create a Roadmap

By the end of the lesson, I have a clear picture of where your child is today and where we should go next.

Every future lesson is built around that roadmap.

Every great journey begins with understanding where your child is today.

That is why the first lesson isn't a test.

It is the beginning of a partnership.

Over the past four decades I have had the privilege of teaching thousands of children.

Some became tournament champions.

Some earned scholarships.

Some became National Masters.

Many simply became more confident, more thoughtful, and more successful in school and in life.

To me...

Every one of those children is a success story.

Parents often ask me what makes my lessons different.

The answer isn't my chess rating.

It isn't the number of trophies my students have won.

And it isn't the number of years I've been teaching.

Those things matter...

But they are not the reason parents continue to place their trust in me.

Chess Is My Vocation

People sometimes ask if I ever get tired of teaching.

The answer is simple.

No.

Because chess has never been just a job to me.

Teaching children is my vocation.

Every lesson is another opportunity to help a child become a better thinker, solve a difficult problem, overcome frustration, or discover confidence they didn't know they had.

That is why, after more than forty years, I still love walking into a classroom.

Because every child deserves someone who believes in them.

What is the best age for my child to start learning chess?

I believe children can begin learning as young as four years old when lessons are presented in a fun, engaging, age-appropriate way. The goal at this age is not competition. It is developing concentration, observation, and thinking skills while having fun.

Does my child need any previous chess experience?

No. Many of my students begin knowing absolutely nothing about chess. Every child starts at their own level, and lessons are designed specifically for their experience and learning style.

How often should my child take lessons?

Most children benefit from one lesson each week combined with regular practice at home. Consistency is far more important than cramming many lessons into a short period of time.

Do you teach complete beginners?

Absolutely. In fact, teaching beginners is one of my favorite parts of being a chess teacher. Watching children discover the game for the first time is incredibly rewarding.

How long before my child begins improving?

Every child develops differently. Many parents notice increased confidence, better concentration, and improved decision making within the first few months. Chess improvement depends on regular lessons, thoughtful practice, and the child's enthusiasm for learning.

What makes your lessons different?

I do not believe in one-size-fits-all teaching. Every lesson is designed around the individual child. My goal is not simply to teach chess—it is to help children become better thinkers.

Do you teach children who want to compete in tournaments?

Yes. I have coached students from complete beginners through national-level competitors. Tournament preparation includes strategy, tactics, time management, sportsmanship, and learning how to handle both victories and setbacks.

Will chess help my child in school?

Chess teaches planning, concentration, patience, problem solving, and decision making. These are valuable skills that can support academic success as well as everyday life.

Do parents receive updates on their child's progress?

Yes. I believe parents are partners in their child's learning. I am always happy to discuss your child's progress, strengths, and the areas we are working to improve.

What is your goal as a chess teacher?

Winning tournaments is wonderful, but it has never been my primary goal. My mission is to help children become thoughtful, confident young people who know how to solve problems and make good decisions throughout their lives.