Coach’s Corner: Kushager Krishnater – Chessable Blog

Kushager Krishnater has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting young chess coaches and authors in chess. Hailing from India, this International Master began making waves not just for his playing strength but also for his precocious coaching talent, earning the title of FIDE Trainer at only 20 years old, one of the youngest in the world to do so.

Krishnater’s journey into coaching started in earnest after teaming up with elite players such as super-GMs Arjun Erigaisi and Vidit Gujrathi, and later working with GM Humpy Koneru. Their work together culminated in Humpy’s victory at the 2024 World Rapid Championship and a runner-up finish at the 2025 World Cup, achievements that underscore the effectiveness of Krishnater’s coaching methods.

As an author on Chessable, he has translated the same rigor into acclaimed opening repertoires, including a collaboration with GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly.

Whether he is preparing ambitious juniors for competitive success, crafting playable repertoires for serious improvers, or guiding GMs on cutting-edge theory, Kushager consistently aims to help students overcome psychological blocks and nurture their natural style of play.

In this edition of Coach’s Corner, he talks about his experience as a chess trainer and shares tips:

What is your chess coaching philosophy?

I firmly believe that effective coaching requires adaptability, not imposition. A coach’s role is to tailor their approach to the unique needs of each student, rather than enforcing personal beliefs or rigid methods. This means customizing training based on factors like the student’s current skill level, time commitment, strengths, weaknesses, and goals.

In essence, my coaching philosophy is to be fluid and responsive, adapting like water to meet the individual needs of every player.

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

The best approach to coaching depends heavily on individual factors like a player’s skill level, available practice time, strengths, weaknesses, and goals. If I had to give a general starting point, I’d suggest focusing on their weakest areas, dedicating time to improving tactics and calculation, prioritizing opening principles over memorizing specific moves, and encouraging them to play with full commitment and heart.

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

For players rated under 1200, I believe developing a strong sense for tactics and calculation, alongside a solid understanding of basic opening principles—not specific moves—is the top priority.

For players rated under 2000, tactics and calculation remain critical, though slightly less dominant than for a 1200-rated player. These players should gradually increase their focus on other areas, such as opening theory and endgames, while still prioritizing calculation and tactics.

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

I strongly believe in prioritizing understanding over memorization. Knowing the “why” behind a move is far more valuable than memorizing the move itself. In a practical game, the likelihood of recalling exact opening preparation is often low. However, developing a feel for your openings allows you to find effective solutions directly on the board.

My approach to teaching openings to beginners is simple: choose lines that are easy to grasp and focus on the logic behind each move, rather than the move itself.

What is your preferred way to improve at the endgame?

Endgame training is highly subjective and depends heavily on a player’s current level. For context, let’s consider an average club player rated between 1200 and 2000 online.

I recommend focusing on a limited set of theoretical endgame positions—Silman’s Endgame Course is an excellent resource for this—while placing greater emphasis on playing practical endgames, which I believe is an often-underrated skill. Understanding how to maneuver your pieces, especially the king, and prioritizing active piece play in endgames is something many players overlook. I strongly advocate for developing practical endgame skills over purely theoretical knowledge, as these are more likely to translate to success in real games.

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

The landscape of chess improvement has changed. You are not bound by a fixed set of rules. Do what you have to do, just pour all of your heart and be intense during your training sessions!

Chessable courses by IM Kushager Krishnater

Kushager’s courses showcase his strengths as a theoretician and teacher: opening repertoires built around practical plans and clear ideas that help players expand their horizons with confidence.

Check out his author page!