Free trial classes are available for new students only who have not previously enrolled in GMChessPrep programs.
Pricing depends on the program you choose. Private lessons, semi-private lessons for small groups, and online group classes are all priced differently, and group programs run in semesters with a set tuition. The best way to get an exact quote for your child or yourself is to book the free 15-minute consultation, where we go over your goals and recommend the right package.
Choose the ones which are similar by pawn structure. For example: King’s Indian Defence vs King’s Indian Attack (KID–KIA)
Not necessarily.
Follow general principles of playing any endgame position. Activation of pieces, specially King and creating passed pawns.
This is a big topic in chess and many players suffer with this issue. The best way is not to go over the calculated variations over and over. Be confident and calculate things only one time unless you feel position is very critical.
Bishops like space, open positions. Keep game open. This is the main strategy with 2 bishops advantage.
Between 10-18
As much as possible. 20-50 daily.
Depends on how hard will be work.
Many reasons why blunders happen. One of the methods to exclude blunders is to stay more focused of opponents moves and ideas.
To solve and know at least 55 mating patterns.
Depends on level and style of player. Usually open and semi-open opening lines.
Chess engines like Stockfish are incredibly powerful, but they should be used carefully. Always analyze your games yourself first, form your own opinions about where you went wrong, and then check with the engine to verify your calculations.
Absolutely. A good coach sees patterns in your play that you cannot see yourself. They provide targeted feedback, eliminate guesswork, and keep you accountable. The combination of coaching and structured self-practice produces the fastest results.
Yes. New students who have not enrolled in a GMChessPrep program before can claim a free online trial class. Some structured group programs use a low-cost paid trial session instead, since group spots are limited. The free consultation call will tell you which option applies to your situation.
We teach all ages and all levels, from complete beginners who have never played before to tournament players above 1700 USCF. GM Babaev builds a training plan around where the student is right now, whether that is learning how the pieces move or preparing for a national tournament.
Both. We run online private and group lessons for students anywhere, and in-person group lessons and after-school programs for families in the Northern Virginia and DMV area. Many students mix both formats, taking weekly online lessons and joining in-person tournaments when they can.
Private lessons are one-on-one with GM Babaev and move at the student’s own pace. Semi-private lessons pair 2 to 4 students, often siblings or friends, at a lower cost per student. Group lessons and classes run with a full roster on a set weekly schedule and work well for students who enjoy learning alongside peers.
GM Rashad Babaev is the lead instructor. He is a Grandmaster who has trained more than 11,000 students and is the only Grandmaster-level coach based in the Northern Virginia area. Some group and after-school programs are taught by GMChessPrep team coaches working under his curriculum.
Most students see steady progress with one structured lesson per week, combined with independent practice on tactics and puzzles between sessions. Students preparing for tournaments or aiming for a faster rating jump often add a second weekly session.
A laptop, tablet, or desktop with a stable internet connection and a webcam is enough to join. We use an online platform along with a chessboard interface, so no physical board or extra software is required on your end.
We ask for advance notice if a student needs to cancel or reschedule a session so the time slot can be offered to another student. Reach out to your coach or our office directly and we will work out a makeup time whenever possible.
Yes. Tournament preparation is a core part of our coaching, from opening repertoire and time management to post-game analysis. We also run our own USCF-rated tournaments and online tournaments so students get regular competitive experience.
Yes. Alongside student coaching, we run after-school chess programs for schools and corporate chess programs for companies in the DMV area looking to offer chess as a team activity or enrichment benefit.
Each student’s progress is tracked through their coach’s ongoing assessment, tournament results, and rating changes over time. Parents receive direct feedback from the coach so they can see exactly where their child is improving and what to work on next.