Travis MacDougall
Friendly Chess Coach Who Helps You Outsmart Friends, Crush Blunders & Look Brilliant Doing It!
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Travis MacDougall
Diploma degree
Enroll after the free trial
Each lesson is 55 min
50 lessons
20% off
/ lesson
30 lessons
15% off
/ lesson
20 lessons
10% off
/ lesson
10 lessons
5% off
/ lesson
5 lessons
-
/ lesson
1 lessons
-
/ lesson
About your chess coach
I'm a dedicated chess tutor with a passion for helping students cultivate confidence, strategy, and creativity on the board. With several years of hands-on tutoring experience, I focus on guiding players of all ages and skill levels, from curious beginners to developing intermediates and motivated adults, toward a deeper understanding of the game. My teaching style blends structured instruction with flexible, student-centered learning, ensuring that each lesson is tailored to your pace, strengths, and goals. I emphasize core principles such as opening fundamentals, positional understanding, tactical awareness, and endgame mastery, while also encouraging analytical thinking and long-term strategic planning. Whether you’re training for competitive play, aiming to strengthen problem-solving skills, or simply exploring chess as a new hobby, I create an engaging and supportive environment that promotes steady improvement. My mission is to make chess both accessible and enjoyable, empowering students to think critically, play boldly, and grow with every move. Let’s develop your skills, sharpen your strategies, and elevate your game—one thoughtful decision at a time.
Meet Travis
Chess coach skills
Tactical thinking
Rule understanding
Creative problem solving
Strategic thinking
Hands on practice
Types of learners for chess lessons
Games for beginners
Chess classes overview
My teaching method focuses on building clear, confident understanding through step-by-step guidance, practical examples, and active student participation. I simplify complex ideas by breaking them into approachable concepts: openings, tactics, strategy, and endgames. Then reinforce them with targeted exercises and real game analysis. Using platforms like Chess.com, Lichess, and other interactive tools, I create engaging lessons tailored to each student’s level and goals. By blending structured learning with encouraging support, I help students develop strong fundamentals, sharpen their thinking, and genuinely enjoy the process of improving at chess. I also help students build lasting skills, develop strategic awareness, and gain the confidence to apply their knowledge in real competitive or casual fun play.
Boosted confidence in playing
Learners feel confident in games and tournaments.
Real-time feedback on game play
Learners value instant feedback to improve
Personalized training for skill progression
80% of learners see faster progress with tailored lessons.
Flexible Scheduling
Allows 1h early scheduling
Allows 1h early rescheduling
Can wait for 20 mins after joining

10 day Refund
Free Tutor Swap

Games concepts taught by Travis
The tutor and student reviewed various chess openings and defenses, focusing on responses to White's king's pawn and queen's pawn openings, including the Sicilian, French, and Dutch defenses. They also discussed middlegame concepts like castling and basic tactics, with plans to delve deeper into tactics in the next session.
Sicilian Defense
French Defense
Dutch Defense
Castling
Tactics vs. Strategy in Chess
The Tutor and Student reviewed chess openings and defenses, focusing on the Italian Game, London Opening, Two Knights Defense, Sicilian Defense, and French Defense. They practiced identifying weak squares, executing tactical maneuvers like forks, and maintaining central control. The student was encouraged to practice these defenses against computer opponents.
Chess Opening Principles
Chess Piece Value and Development
Attacking Weak Squares and Tactics
Strategic Principles: Center Control and Piece Purpose
Chess Defenses
The Tutor and Student discussed chess openings, particularly the Italian Game and the Danish Gambit. The Student learned principles for opening moves and practiced the Italian Game's initial moves. They also covered a quick checkmate tactic and plan to continue practicing openings and gameplay in the next session, focusing on applying the learned strategies.
Principles of Opening Moves
Italian Opening
Danish Gambit
Six-Move Checkmate
Sacrificing Pieces for Positional Advantage
Analyzing Opponent's Moves and Planning Ahead
Teaching tools used by chess coach
Online Chess Boards
Hands-on chess classes
Open Q&A
Parent feedback
Note taking
Pets are welcomed
Chat for quick help

Chess coaches on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.

