Streamer/Youtuber Offers Chess Lessons

Hi guys,

Updating my lesson experience with Kestony. Today we focused on just a few topics. We discussed my progress with improving my tactics solving and how I was going with Kestony's suggestions for thinking through and practicing tactics puzzles. I've noticed an increase in my tactics rating (I use CT-Art and Chess Tempo mainly), since adopting the more structured approach to paracticing and solving tactics puzzles that Kestony outlined for me. So that's coming along well. I still miss some very basic tactics in blitz games but I'm also seeing more tactics which is nice. We then worked on King and Pawn endgames. Kestony outlined a few basic principles and demonstrated them for me. He then set me various King and Pawn endgame problems and prodded me with questions and I had to calculate out loud as I tried to solve them. The idea was that these "more simple" endgame studies will help develop my calculation and visualisation muscles as well as being just straight out useful in their own right. I really enjoyed them. Kestony has a knack for making them challenging but interesting. After I'd learned a principle and solved a few positions utilising that principle, Kestony would show me a game where one player purposefully aimed for and achieved that known winning endgame. It made the study of the more basic, stripped down positions a lot more relevant and real to me.

After working on endgames and tactics, we came up with a structured daily practice plan built around tactics puzzles, game analysis, endgame studies and fewer games but longer time controls. Kestony also sent me annotated games to work through each day and and an end game study program to work through. 

Finally, he played a couple of Rapid games and shared his thoughts out loud as I watched the game. What made it even more enlightening for me, was that his commentary was adjusted to my level of understanding. Kestony framed his thoughts/commentary around the ideas we've been working on so that I could see how they all come together in the game.

It was another hugely enjoyable and rewarding lesson and I'm really enjoying all the homework. Looking forward to the next lesson. 

Kestony is a great chess coach for everyone! He understands exactly the way an amateur plays and understands how to develop regardless of skill level. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to get serious about your chess game, or improve you rating at all!

5 out of 5 stars.  I highly recommend Kestony for anyone serious about chess.  He is passionate about chess, he is highly intelligent, and he interacts well with me during our sessions.  While I believe chess improvement is a largely a function of the commitment of the student, Kestony provides tools that will help all serious students improve and appreciate the game.  Another reason to recommend Kestony--the sessions go by very quickly because they are interesting, challenging and he has commentary about all issues involved in the topic.  Students should not hesitate to hire him.

Just had my first lesson with Kestony. He is very accommodating when it comes to when the lessons take place (I was extremely late to my lesson today). He was funny, charismatic, and nice. He explained concepts clearly and walked me through a few of my worse games to see what could've been different and how I should handle it in the future. The cost is more than reasonable, I believe. Thanks, Kestony.  

5 out of 5 . 

Perfect blend of tactics, strategy, openings and everything in between.  I strongly  recommend Kestony, for anyone who wants to get better at chess.  He is passionate about chess, and he interacts well with me during our sessions.  Kestony provides tools, homework, and quick tricks that will help all serious students improve rapidly.  In addition what made it even more enlightening for me, was that his commentary was adjusted to my level of thinking. He was able to commutate his thoughts in a way that I could easily understand. 

 Another reason to recommend Kestony--the sessions go by very so fast!!  because they are interesting, challenging and so engaging  He will bring you to the next level!  

It's been a few weeks now that I've been taking lessons. I always look forward to our sessions and I always walk away with new ideas. Already im thinking differently and i feel like i broke thru my recent plateau. I think improving in chess is a process that takes time but i feel like im on the right path and i found a good partner in kestony to help me along the way. Kestony is a great communicator who understands not only the game of chess but the process of learning in general.

I started to play chess one year ago, and recently I started looking for a chess coach, but it was very difficult to pick one. I saw then the review of AndrewsCampell about Kestony and I found it very honest and thorough, so I decided to give it a try. I contact Kestony, and he replied the very same day, we had a chat and then we arranged a lesson.

I have had six lessons so far (two per week) and I just can say that I really enjoy them. We are focusing in tactics and in analysis of my games. I really appreciate that he takes the time to download and analyze the games that I play so that we can discuss them during the lessons. Today a part of the lesson consisted in him playing against opponents while explaining to me his analysis of the game: tactics, strategy, etc. In sum: the reasoning behind moving a piece. I found it very enjoyable.

I really enjoy Kestony as a Chess coach, so if you are a beginner like me and want to learn chess, I would recommend giving it a try with him: systematic, good communicator, easy-going, patient.

Looking forward to my next lesson!

Wow! I hope it’s not for money

I have had only one lesson so far and I can see why he is such a great coach! Kestony has so much passion for the game and is a great teacher. He first evaluated your skills in the first lessons and clearly identifies any potentially weaknesses and gives you a clear thinking process, I feel like I’ve improved so much and have the power after our first lesson lol

I have taken 3 chess lessons with Kestony and I'm very happy working with him as my chess coach. I'm always looking forward to my weekly one-hour lessons. Kestony is very professional and flexible taking into consideration we are in different time zones. As for his teaching style, Kestony reviews my games and we practice a lot of puzzles. He is punctual, very patient, well prepared and challenges me during my lessons. Worth mentioning that he is always available during the week whenever I have any questions, he genuinely wants to help his students. I highly recommend Kestony as an online chess coach for anyone trying to improve his/her chess knowledge.

Very flexible, a lot of passion and very enthusiastic!

For example lesson good bishop vs bad bishop. 

I played chess as a kid but then decided to get back into it. I started taking lessons from a 1600+ player on Martha's Vineyard, who was excellent, but not a real "teacher" of chess. You have to understand there are black diamond - or expert - skiers and then there are ski *instructors*. There amazing tennis players who are not amazing coaches. @Kestony embodies both. In lessons conducted over Skype (surprisingly effective) between Martha's Vineyard and Lithuania (Kestony's HQ), my rating went up literally 300+ points. It has been an amazing journey and one I look forward to continuing.

I’ve had 5 lessons with Kestony and my rating has improved by 100 points, his lessons are well structured & easy to follow comes highly recommended.

I've had two lessons and a meet and greet with Kestony and already I know this is a coach I would like to keep working with. He explains concepts clearly and logically, building on previous knowledge and really understands his students' individual needs. He is so organised which I really appreciate and clearly very enthusiastic about the game which makes everything so much easier to take in. I would recommend him to anyone that wants to improve their game.

Wow! Stop looking elsewhere!  Kestony is the greatest coach I have ever had.  My lessons with Kestony have completely changed the way I see the board.  He instantly picked up on my strength and weakness and my game has immediately improved.  He has given me custom homework that I can work with in between my lessons with him that are absolutely perfect. My game has plateaued and now I am gaining over 100 points in weeks.  I believe in learning from others and finding a great teacher is so important.  He is a GREAT coach and more importantly he is great person that is passionate about making me and all of his students better.  I highly recommend him.  

My dear chess coach Kestony!
I just checked our history and I realized it already has been almost two years. Very good two years for me, where I rediscovered chess and for the first time got a bit of an understanding about the beauty of that game.
Back then in 2018, I asked on a chess.com board if anyone can recommend a good coach and I can consider myself very lucky that YOU stumbled upon that post and replied to me.

I remember our first lesson and especially remember your clear explanations about piece development, strategy, plans and the big fight that takes place on the board. I immediately understood that there is a lot more to learn than I expected and I knew you are the right coach for me. I wanted to learn some tricks and traps and what you gave me was actually some kind of a completely new universe.

I don’t want to sound pathetic here but in my chess history these 60 minutes were more valuable than all the hours and hours playing chess online, solving puzzles and even more valuable than the books I have worked with so far.

I'm not sure if chess would have become such an important part in my life without you. Your chess lessons not only resulted in me being a better online chess player, I also went to my local chess club, enrolled in several tournaments and even wanted to travel to some international tournaments (if not Corona came across). I also made new friends and now in the chess club I give the coaches advices how to improve their lessons. Of course, my advice is to do it the Kestony way. So, your spirit of coaching now even affects some players who never even heard of you.

Of course, not all was perfect and shiny. I remember lessons where you wanted to teach me some important new concepts and I just couldn’t figure it out. At some point, you got a bit impatient and just showed me the solution. Or occasionally, when we looked at a certain position, you got overexcited about an idea and remembered a different game where this idea also played a role. You then just removed the position from the board and we suddenly looked at a completely different game. I felt your excitement but for me as a newbie it was hard to follow. However, we spoke about that and one thing which I really appreciate is that you took my feedback and wishes seriously and from that point on that actually never happened again.

All in all, you were the best chess coach I could dream of. You love the game and maybe even more important you seem to love coaching and you take interest in your pupils and you really want them to improve and make them also see the beauty of chess.

Besides of the chess, I also just enjoyed the lessons with you on a personal level as they were just fun and our discussions were interesting and you shared some interesting thoughts with me. I think your friends can be very happy and proud.

Thank you for the great time and the great lessons, Kestony and all the best for the future!

In the field of endless want to bees.  Kestony is the pure coach. He listens to you, finds out where you are. Then he trains you. Easy, no. He is very up front and kind but stern. He will wake you up to your blunders. You do not really want to hear the truth but he states it politely, which give you greater understanding and a willingness to to push through your current level. Chess is a wonderful game, life learning. Kestony, he is the best coach I have ever come across. His depth and love for the game. It will change you. It will encourage you to push beyond what your limits are now.  The fear of playing and losing will be removed. Why, because he discussed it with me. He knew where I was in the development of the game. Ah, that is the secret, a coach that knows where you are and can plan for the next step. Thus, you grow.  I have been given the privilege and honor of having Kestony train me.

I met him on line 2yrs ago. I was at 650. A new bee. I am now at 1400. I have more understanding of the game than I thought possible. To have someone that you can truly ask questions and express your true thoughts without ridicule or condemnation. What a breath of relief. What strength that gave me. To be able to express myself and to be guided in the game. Wow. 

You want a coach, you have come to the diamond mind. You just found the Hope diamond in Kestony. You want to learn, you have found the right couch. Amen.           

Kestony is a great coach who increased my rating by 400 points in just a couple of weeks. Reasonable pricing and outstanding help. I've been working with him for a while now and I recommend anyone to do the same if they want to improve their game fast and efficiently. 5/5

I recommend Kestony as a coach. Very easy to work with, highly knowledgeable and explains everything in an easy to understand way. A very patient guy too. Listens, explains approaches, uses examples. Provides a lot of background reading as well - watches you train and play and knows just what reading to send. Very good with the psychology of the pupil, knows when you are struggling and works with that. Good value for money too. I don’t hesitate to recommend him. 

I have been working with Kestony for five weeks, and my rating has increased by about 150 points.  His method is well organized and thus far has been comprised of game analysis, puzzles and reading. In analyzing your games, he quickly grasps your weaknesses and provides solid principles for addressing them. The puzzles train your eye to see combinations that were previously invisible and to my surprise, I am starting to see them in games. Finally the reading provides exposure to classic games and theory.. So far, it has helped me to refine the way that I think and talk about positions in detail. His videos reinforce themes from the lessons and are also a valuable reference. Working with Kestony has been a pleasure so far and I recommend him highly.