Looking for a coach to guide you through the secrets of chess?
Hello! My name is Erik Haidinger, and I am an active competitive chess player from Croatia with a current FIDE rating of **1950**and a **2060 FIDE Blitz** rating. My chess.com and Lichess blitz rating varies between **2200-2300**
I consider myself an ambitious player who is constantly improving. I continue to study chess on a daily basis and regularly train with International Masters, whose experience, training methods, and practical approach I strive to pass on to my own students.
I remain an active tournament player, competing in approximately **50–60 classical games every year**. Throughout the years, I have represented my club in the Croatian Chess Leagues and the Croatian Cup Finals, gaining valuable experience against FIDE Masters, International Masters, and Grandmasters. I have also achieved victories against several FIDE Masters, experiences that have significantly contributed to my understanding of practical tournament chess.
**Coaching Experience**
I have worked as a coach at my home club, **Šahovski klub Crikvenica**, where I trained both beginner and advanced groups.
Some of the players I have coached include:
**FIDE Master Ivano Sundać** (current FIDE rating: 2290)
**Candidate Master Ivano Tomljanović**(current FIDE rating: 2136)
**Vid Krešić** (current FIDE rating: 2164)
In addition, I participated in the preparation of several club members for the **2019 European Youth Chess Championship in Bratislava**.
In addition to club coaching, I have experience teaching chess in **primary schools** as part of an organized chess education program, introducing children to the game and helping them develop both their chess skills and critical thinking from an early age. This experience has taught me how to adapt my teaching methods to younger students and make lessons engaging, interactive, and enjoyable
**Who I Teach**
I work with:
Complete beginners
Improving juniors
Intermediate players
Club players looking to strengthen their tournament performance
Lessons are available in **Croatian** and **English**.
**My Coaching Philosophy**
I believe every player is unique, which is why I tailor every lesson to the student’s current level, goals, and learning style.
For beginners, I focus on building a strong foundation by teaching:
Fundamental chess principles
Tactical awareness
Positional understanding
Essential endgames
Development of a solid opening repertoire
For improving and advanced club players, lessons can include:
In-depth game analysis
Opening preparation and repertoire building
Typical pawn structures and strategic plans
Middlegame planning
Endgame technique
Practical tournament advice
Creative ideas to enrich and expand an existing repertoire
If desired, we can also play training games together, during which I provide live feedback, explain critical moments, and discuss improvements immediately after the game.
My goal is not only to help students increase their rating but also to improve their overall understanding of chess and become more confident, independent thinkers at the board.
**Why Choose Me?**
I approach every student in a friendly, patient, and supportive way. Creating a positive learning environment is very important to me because I believe students improve the most when they enjoy the learning process.
My greatest strengths are my dedication to chess, my passion for teaching, and my genuine motivation to help every student reach their full potential. I strive to inspire confidence, maintain motivation, and make every lesson both educational and enjoyable.
**Lesson price:** €10/hour
**Lesson platforms:** Zoom or Microsoft Teams
**Contact:**
Email: [**ehaidinger54@gmail.com**](https://mailto:ehaidinger54@gmail.com/)
[Chess.com](http://chess.com/) Inbox
Username: Erik66
Whether you’re just learning the rules or aiming to take your tournament chess to the next level, I would be happy to help you on your chess journey.
I look forward to working with you and helping you achieve your chess goals!