Coach’s Corner: Adriana Nikolova – Chessable Blog

In a game historically dominated by men, WGM Adriana Nikolova stands out – not just as a competitor but also as one of the most dedicated women coaches. A seasoned Olympiad player, Adriana claimed the Bulgarian Women’s Championship title in all formats (classic, rapid and blitz) in 2011. Prior to that, her peak rating of 2389 earned her a spot in the top 100 women players in the world.

And while her trajectory as a player is impressive and her work as a streamer is on the rise, it’s her work as a chess coach that has become her true calling. In 2017, Adriana lived for a year in Dubai to work as a full-time coach. Since then, she has accumulated years of experience and 300+ students taught worldwide; Adriana’s impact extends beyond the tournament halls.

“I am happier once I am giving support and knowledge compared to playing by myself in a tournament,” Adriana admits.

In this interview, the Plovid-based player shares grounded advice:

What is your chess coaching philosophy?

If you work hard, you are going to deserve a win. Never give up; there is always hope, and you just need to find an opportunity and fight till the end. I had many students who hurried up to resign once they lost just a pawn, and after working with me they realize that sometimes having a queen up is not enough to win the game if you are not precise.

Suppose a player has only 3 hours a week for chess training. How should they spend their time?

My students’ job is following my recommendations, raising their rapid/blitz ratings, solving puzzles, and doing their homework. They should play regular rapid games to have enough material to analyze, and study opening questions and read books in their free time.
If you only have 3 hours, then you can invest them in
1. Puzzle Rush
2. Rated puzzles
3. A few blitz games
4. Two rapid games

What is the biggest factor for improvement for players under 1200 (Chess.com)? Under 2000?

Under 1200 – they need to solve a hundred puzzles per week to avoid blunders.

Under 2000 – they need to start paying attention to more opening novelties or just update their opening repertoires.

What is your preferred way to improve at openings? What’s the approach to chess openings that you try to teach your students?

Personally, I have a huge experience of the openings just because now I am more of a coach than a chess player. I prepare my students with the openings they need, not the openings that I know very well. When I decide to select a new opening, first I try to check out the 100 best games in the database of top GM players who played well; second, I follow some depth of theoretical knowledge; and third, before the OTB game, I wish to have about 100 games of online blitz to test if the result could be good and if I was understanding the variations very well. Chess openings should be selected depending on the chess style on the board of the player. Also, if they are already having good results with some openings, we can simply update them, not start a new one and make them confused. It depends on the level too… for instance, never give to the beginner the largest openings like Sicilian or Ruy Lopez, of course.

What is your preferred way to improve at the endgame?

Chess.com has very nice chess exercises. I am also working with my students on Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual. I also like 1000 Endgame Studies because you develop your creativity in the middle of the exercise, and you realize how unique chess could be. This is ART. And lastly, I am a fan of Averbakh’s books too.

Is there anything else you would like to share with ambitious chess improvers?

Last but no less important is physical health. When you are in good shape, you will, of course, play a six-hour game better. So don’t forget that moving is LIFE. I like reading business books, which are developing my creativity and always giving me new ideas for working in chess or just inspiring me with their stories. The life of Mr. Buffett was not easy when he was younger, so everybody should work hard to deserve a win, to deserve a better result, be sweaty at the gym, and look good in front of the mirror. Every morning say “Thanks” that you are here, that today you can play 10 games of chess and enjoy your life! Of course, for more ambitious chess players, the advice should also include more hours of working on chess every day—no rest. Thousand puzzles, high-level prep in the opening, physical good shape, and always after falling down—think about the NEXT games!

Pawn Endgames for Beginners

WGM Adriana Nikolova has published a well-received course on Chessable: Pawn Endgames for Beginners.

Available in both English and German, the course walks you step‑by‑step through fundamental techniques in pawn‑up positions, covering key concepts like king activation, opposition, passed pawns, etc. Check it out!