Tom Dittrich
Games Tutor at Saarland University Specializing in Chess Strategies
Show all photos
Tom Dittrich
Bachelors degree
/ 55 min
About your chess coach
Hi! I’m Tom, a passionate chess tutor, with over 4 years of experience, with a deep love for the game and a commitment to helping others improve. As a result of studying chess for years and as an active player, I combine practical experience with a structured, student-centered teaching approach. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate player or advanced player looking to advance, both kids or adults, I’ll guide you through key concepts, tactical exercises, and strategic thinking. Together, we’ll explore tactics, strategy and practical play in all phases of the game. Through my experience in teaching and chess tournament activity I know how important game preparation and post-game analysis is to improve your chess. I can help you prepare for specific games or we can go over games to see why games got lost. So let’s work together to unlock your chess potential!
Chess coach skills
Tactical thinking
Strategic thinking
Interactive learning
State-Specific Standards (USA)
Skill development
CoTutorAI modules
Summary
Podcast
Quiz
Learnings
Flashcard
Spotlight
Zero Risk Guaranteed
15-days refund
Free tutor swap
No cancel fee
1-yr validity
24/7 support
Types of learners for chess lessons
Games for adults
Games for beginners
Games for advanced
Games for intermediate
Games for kids
Chess classes overview
My teaching methodology focuses on building a strong foundation while fostering critical thinking and practical skills. We start by assessing your current level and identifying areas of improvement. Lessons are tailored to your needs, covering key concepts like openings, middlegame strategy, and endgame techniques. I emphasize interactive learning through puzzles, guided games, and analysis of classic matches. After each lesson, we reflect on progress and set goals, ensuring consistent improvement and a deeper understanding of chess. Additionally, I believe in the importance of game preparation and post game analysis. Before a game, we work on opening preparation, strategic planning, and mindset techniques. Afterward, we conduct thorough analyses to understand critical moments and learn from mistakes. Let’s enhance your game together!
Quick improvement in chess skills
90% of learners improve within weeks.
Personalized training for skill progression
80% of learners see faster progress with tailored lessons
Mastery of tactical and positional play
Learners master tactical and positional plays.
Chess coach also teaches
Chess
Rapid Chess
Blitz Chess
Bullet Chess
Games concepts taught by Tom
Student and Tutor reviewed the Student's recent tournament games, focusing on the Stonewall Defense and a London System game. They discussed strategic principles related to pawn structures, king safety, and active piece development. The Student plans to send more games for review and continue exploring openings like the Hippo Defense.
The Stonewall Defense: A Solid Foundation
Pawn Structures Dictate Strategy: Carlsbad & Carokan Examples
Prioritizing King Safety and Active Development
Strategic Piece Placement and Tactical Awareness
Student and Tutor reviewed and practiced various Chess tactical patterns, focusing on double attacks and discovered attacks/checks. They also discussed and illustrated the concept of pinned pawns in tactical situations with an example game. The next sessions are scheduled for Monday and Friday.
The Discovered Attack & Check
Exploiting Underdevelopment & King Safety
Identifying Long-Ranging Pieces in Tactics
The Importance of Pattern Recognition
The Goal of Tactical Patterns: Material Advantage
Understanding and Exploiting Pins
The Double Attack
The Student and Tutor reviewed key chess tactical patterns, including hanging pieces and knight forks, practicing with numerous examples to reinforce understanding of piece values and advantageous trades. They also worked on an advanced problem involving forced piece removal to enable a fork and concluded with a practical drill on board coordinates. The next session was scheduled for August 15th.
Hanging Pieces: The Foundation of Tactics
Mastering Board Coordinates
Material Advantage & Strategic Exchanges
Knight Forks: Simultaneous Attacks
Understanding Pins in Tactical Play
The Student and Tutor reviewed fundamental chess tactics, including knight forks, attraction, and identifying hanging pieces. They then discussed pawn forks and strategic principles for trading material in different endgame scenarios. The session concluded with a detailed analysis of converting a two minor pieces versus a rook endgame into a win. The next session will focus on reviewing the Student's games.
Identifying Hanging Pieces
Converting Two Minor Pieces vs. Rook Advantage
Endgame Strategy: Trading Based on Material Advantage
Pawn Forks & The 'Triangle' Setup
Knight Forks & Attraction
The Student and Tutor reviewed two chess games. They analyzed the Student's game, focusing on opening theory, pawn structure, castling decisions, and piece development strategies. The Tutor then presented one of their own games to demonstrate the application of specific opening variations and tactical considerations, discussing mistakes and missed opportunities, with a plan to send both games for further review.
Optimizing Piece Development & Open File Utilization
Aggressive Pawn Play & Counter-Attack Strategy
Detecting & Resolving Pinned Pieces and Hanging Pawns
Queen's Gambit Declined: Optimal Pawn Structure
Strategic Piece Evaluation: Bad Bishops & Strong Knights
Student and Tutor analyzed two recent chess games, focusing on tactical and positional mistakes. They discussed correct opening theory for the Karakhan Defense, identified key errors in handling checks and hanging pieces, and introduced concepts related to isolated queen's pawn positions. They plan to have a dedicated theory session on the Karakhan opening in the future.
The "Look for a Better Move" Principle
Karakhan Opening: White's Main Line Theory
Safe Development & Avoiding Early Queen Attacks
Crisis Management: Prioritizing King Safety
Isolated Queen's Pawn (IQP) Dynamics
Material Advantage vs. Pawn Structure Weakness
Teaching tools used by chess coach
Chess Engines
Online Chess Boards
PGN Editors
Collaboration Tools
Game Analysis Tools
Hands-on chess classes
Open Q&A
Weekend lessons
Pets are welcomed
Note taking
Chat for quick help
Chess coaches on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.