“How do I choose a good chess coach for my children?”
I have been asked this question thousands of times. Unfortunately, there is no single formula. This is what I usually recommend:
* Select a coach who clicks with your children. Some coaches may be really good but they may not be compatible with your kids.
* Select a coach who has plenty of enthusiasm and passion to teach instead of one who does it just for the money.
* Select a coach who is level appropriate. Not all coaches know how to teach or have the patience to teach beginners, especially children. I would stay away from coaches who teach children to play 1. e4 2. Bc4 3. Qh5. Teaching kids bad things like this will only end up harming the children’s progress more than help.
* Select a coach who is willing to work with your children long term and has the best interest of your children at heart.
These are just some of the things that I would look for as a Chess Mom myself.
Good luck! 
Susan, thanks for the tips. They are very helpful.
Maria
Coach should be a strong player? Above 2000? 2200?
I agree to the other anonymous person that chess coach should be a strong chessplayer rating above 2000 and up or at least 2200 rating !!! not chess coaches who are less than 2000 ???11
The third anonymous was right. The playing strength of the coach has little to do with how well they can teach. A 1600 player who has experience with teaching younger and weaker students would (probably) be better than a 2200 who gives lectures to 1800s and wrote the latest book on the Sicilian Dragon. The problem with having strong players teach weak students is that things are quite different between ratings of 1000 and 2000, compared to 1000, and, say, 1600.
It’s better to have a weaker coach bring the student up to 1200-1500, then have a stronger coach work with the student.
I HELP COACH CHILDREN IN ABERDEEN SCOTLAND (www.chessscotland.com) and my Friend IS NOW PAID BY THE LOCAL COUNCIL TO DELIVER CHESS TRAINING IN SCHOOLS. With children (4-6 years) that know the basic moves i would concentrate on the end game. What would it take to get you over to aberdeen to organise a chess camp for kids. I agree about your tips on getting a chess coach. ERIC DAVIDSON
Dear Eric,
You can send an e-mail to my business manager. He can handle all the details and he arranges my schedule. His e-mail is USChessOlympiad@aol.com.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.SusanPolgar.com
http://www.PolgarChess.com