I'm Matthew Olson, a patient chess coach teaching beginner to intermediate players looking to improve their chess skills. I offer both one-on-one sessions tailored to your chess goals and interactive group classes. Schedule online worldwide or in-person across Fairfield County, CT.
Ranked in the top 0.3% of online rapid players globally with a 2000 Rapid Elo on chess.com and 5 years of deep experience as a player, I bring fresh enthusiasm, a genuine love for the game, and a patient, encouraging approach to coaching — especially with younger students.
High-quality online sessions via video call with screen sharing, real-time analysis, and interactive board tools. Learn from anywhere in the world.
Face-to-face sessions in Fairfield County, CT (New Canaan, Westport, Darien, Wilton, Greenwich, Stamford, Fairfield, Ridgefield, Weston, and Redding). All in-person lessons use the ChessUp Smart Board — an AI-powered physical board with LED move guidance and real-time analysis for a highly interactive, hands-on experience.
Interactive group classes for multiple students. A fun and engaging way to learn chess together, with shared lessons, games, and team-based exercises.
"Matt turned real tournament experiences into fantastic teaching opportunities — already making a huge difference in both confidence and improvement. We couldn't recommend Precision Chess Coaching more highly!"
"My 4 and 6 year old were fully engaged the entire time. Matt has a natural ability to connect with kids and make chess fun, and by the end they were already asking to play again."
Whether you're a complete beginner or advanced intermediate, I'll meet you where you are and build a personalized curriculum to reach your goals.
Send me a message and I'll get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your goals, current level, and schedule your first lesson!
Absolutely. Virtual sessions via video call with shared screen analysis and interactive board tools are highly effective for beginners and younger students. Many students progress faster online due to flexible scheduling and the ability to review session recordings. Virtual coaching is available worldwide at $25/hour.
Most children can begin learning chess as early as age 5–6. I have experience teaching young kids in a fun, engaging way that builds focus, problem-solving, and patience — skills that extend well beyond the board. There's truly no age that's too early (or too late) to start.
Sessions start at $25/hour for virtual coaching and $35/hour for in-person coaching in Fairfield County (which includes the ChessUp Smart Board). Group coaching is also available — contact me for group pricing.
New players on chess.com typically start around 400–600 rapid rating. With consistent practice and coaching, reaching 800–1000 is very achievable within a few months. I work with students at every level and build personalized curriculums to help you reach your specific goals.
The ChessUp Smart Board is an AI-powered physical chess board with LED move guidance, real-time analysis, and built-in difficulty levels. I use it in all in-person lessons — making learning highly interactive and visual, and ideal for younger students or anyone who learns best with hands-on technology.
Breaking through common rating plateaus requires focused work on tactics, opening principles, and endgame fundamentals. Coaching sessions with me include live game analysis, tactics training, and opening repertoire building — the three pillars of consistent improvement for intermediate players.
Yes! Group coaching sessions are available for schools, after-school programs, and chess clubs throughout Fairfield County. Group classes are a fun, collaborative way for students to learn together. Reach out via the booking form for group pricing and availability.