IM Keaton Kiewra

35 year old IM from California. Full time professional chess coach since 2009. www.keatonkiewrachess.com/

2 GM norms. 9 time Nebraska sate champion and 6 time national scholastic champion in my youth. 2016 Southern California co-champion. I've played tournaments all over USA and Europe from major opens like Reykjavik and Isle of Man to invitational round robin events.

I've been a full time professional coach since 2009. I've coached a wide range of students from masters to beginners. Several of my students have won state and national scholastic titles. I have helped countless students to unlock their potential, achieve their goals, and learn to enjoy the process. I have also helped and trained with several prodigies who have become IMs and GMs: (list here: www.chess.com/member/keaton87) I don't claim credit for their success which was inevitable, but at least I didn't ruin them ;)

Founder and manager of the San Diego Surfers PRO Chess League Team.

Forming a connection with each student, figuring out what is holding them back from reaching the next level, helping them develop a plan to transcend their obstacles and reach their goals.

I start by getting to know each student on an individual level and as a chess player. This can be by analyzing games they've played or by sparring with them. Once I get to know a student as a chess player and what they need in order to break through to the next level, I help them come up with a plan and offer training and instruction where it's most needed. This of course varies greatly depending upon a student's level but my instruction runs the entire gamut from opening work, calculation, endgame ability, tactical training, strategic understanding, etc...

I also help each student to discover their "why".