Asher Harris
(In-Person Only)
$30 / one-hour lesson
$15 / 30-minute lesson
$250 / 10 one-hour lessons
Buy 10-pack here
About Me
Hi! As with many chess beginners, my first memories of the game as a child come from my grandfather handily schooling me, impressing upon me the belief that he was the greatest chess player to ever sit at a board. Over the pandemic, however, I was exposed to the online chess “boom” through Twitch and YouTube and found out not only what a fascinating and deep game chess is but the rich history behind it (if you ever want to talk about the latter, come find me at the Hall of Fame across the street where I also work as a gallery attendant!). By studying famous games played at the top level and watching analysis videos, my game quickly improved, and ever since, my grandfather has been dodging me for fear of another loss! I see the game of chess not only for its strategic depth but for its capacity as a tool for self-expression and community building. If any of this sounds interesting to you, please don’t hesitate to reach out, and I look forward to working with you!
Specialties
Opening theory, long-term strategy, pattern recognition, piece harmony, tactics/puzzles, mentality, personal style and expression.
Good Student Match
Well-rounded, curious individuals who may have basic game knowledge but are motivated to improve their game and express themselves through it (or just really want to beat their grandfather).
Playing Experience
I belonged to my chess club in high school as well as a local club in Nashville while I was living there, often upsetting stronger players. These days, I play quite a lot online, both classical and speed chess, and I intend to play my first rated OTB (over-the-board) tournament here at the STL Chess Club soon!
Teaching Method
My teaching method is heavily personalized; a good introduction always comes with an assessment of the student’s individual goals and playstyle. I want to help you succeed in the game via your own definition of success, whatever that looks like! That being said, I taught myself how to play by studying and analysing games rather than reading rote theory, and once I understand your playstyle, we will apply this method by studying relevant top level games and critical positions, using comparisons to identify the strengths and weaknesses in your play.