Coach Of The Month: WGM Ticia Gara

WGM Ticia Gara is a three-time Hungarian women's chess champion who has represented her country on an international level. Among the finest players in her nation, she has scored impressive draws against legendary grandmasters including GMs Nigel Short and Jan Timman.

Focusing on aggressive openings, middlegame ideas, and improving calculation skills, Ticia analyzes games by her students to customize her training plan and build on your strengths and weaknesses.

Almost as important: She makes sure you remember that chess is fun! Get to know your new potential chess coach below, and try one of her favorite puzzles.

Readers seeking private instruction can contact WGM Gara via her Chess.com profile.

At what age were you introduced to chess, and who introduced you?

My father taught me the basics when I was six years old. I had my first chess coach a few months later. I remember a beautiful marble chess board with its pieces, and how my father taught me the different ways the pieces move. I was fascinated. He also showed me the quickest way to get mated with White:

Which coaches were helpful to you in your chess career, and what was the most useful knowledge they imparted to you?

I had several coaches and each of them had their own unique way of understanding chess. Some of the most important lessons that I learned were that chess is supposed to be a fun, pleasurable activity and that one can only improve with hard work.

How would you describe your approach to chess coaching?

When it comes to teaching, the most important factor for me is that my students enjoy the lesson. I try to make it as interactive as possible. My goal is to teach my students to think for themselves.

Critical thinking is very important in chess. Questioning yourself constantly and searching for the objective truth in a position is one of many factors that make someone a good chess player.

I can show them the path but they have to walk through it themselves. I always dedicate a lot of time to preparing my lessons, creating a working plan, monitoring the student's improvement, and adjusting or making changes if necessary.

But real improvement is almost never possible without independent work by the student. I love giving homework, and it is also a good test if a student is happy to solve them and has questions when we discuss them together.

What is a piece of advice that you give your students that more chess players could benefit from?

Do not use chess engines too much. Analyze and practice with a physical chess board.

What is your favorite teaching game that users might not have seen?

I don’t have one favorite game to teach, but I almost always include classical games in my lessons. I encourage my students to choose a strong player they like and study his/her games thoroughly. Personally, I absolutely love the games of GMs Anatoly Karpov and Magnus Carlsen.

What is a puzzle you like to show to your students?

Black to move and win. This puzzle is from the famous "Gold Coin Game" won by Frank Marshall over Stefan Levitsky. 

What do you consider the most valuable training tool that the internet provides?

I think there are excellent platforms that one can practice with. One of my favorites is, of course, Chess.com. Not only is there an unlimited opportunity for actual play, but puzzles, endgame courses, opening themes, and new features are also coming out constantly. 

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