FM John Litvinchuk
Known in chess circles as ChessChuck: a FIDE Master and former U.S. Junior Champion who now teaches chess online to kids and adults from New Jersey.
John learned chess as a boy and was soon among the strongest juniors in the country. He was one of the “Collins Kids,” the students of legendary New York coach Jack Collins, mentor to Bobby Fischer. In 1982 he shared first place at the National High School Championship, and in 1986 he won the U.S. Junior Championship, earning a place on the U.S. team at the World Junior Championship.
Today John holds the FIDE Master title and coaches students one-on-one online. He teaches the way he learned: real games, clear ideas and honest feedback.
FM
FIDE Master title
1986
U.S. Junior Champion
1982
National High School co-champion
1986
World Junior Championship, U.S. team
Trained by Fischer’s mentor
Jack Collins taught and hosted a generation of America’s best young players at his New York apartment, Bobby Fischer among them. John was one of his students.
In print · Chess Life for Kids, April 2015
1984 Amateur Team winners
John played board two for “Collins Kids Varsity,” the team that won the 1984 Amateur Team. His teammates included future U.S. Champion Stuart Rachels. The team, with Jack Collins, is pictured in Don Maddox’s article “Sit on Your Hands!” in the April 2015 issue of Chess Life for Kids.
Litvinchuk, meet ChessChuck
ChessChuck is John’s longtime nickname, a play on his last name, Litvinchuk. It stuck, and now it’s the name of his lessons.
Real games, clear ideas
You do the thinking
Lessons are a conversation. John asks questions until the idea is yours, not his.
Your own games
The fastest way to improve is to understand your own mistakes. We look at your games every week.
A plan for each student
Every student gets a plan for the month and homework that fits their week.
Learn chess with ChessChuck
Start with a free 15-minute intro call. No obligation.
