IM Mauricio Arias

If you are serious about improving your chess and are looking for structured, long-term coaching, I may be the right coach for you.

My name is Mauricio Arias. I am an International Master, a FIDE Trainer, a two-time Costa Rican National Champion, and the President of the FIDE America Education Commission.

I am based in Costa Rica and coach students online around the world. Most of my private students are adults from the United States and other English-speaking countries who balance chess with careers, studies, or family life.

Unlike many titled players, I did not begin serious chess training as a child. I started playing at around sixteen years old, which gave me a very different perspective on improvement. I understand the challenges adult learners face because I experienced many of them myself.

For more than 25 years, I have helped students ranging from complete beginners to titled players. Some have earned National Master and FIDE titles, while many others have gone from beginners to strong club players and online ratings around 2000.

My coaching is centered on understanding how each student thinks. Rather than simply teaching opening theory or reviewing games move by move, I focus on identifying recurring weaknesses, building better decision-making habits, and creating structured training plans that produce steady long-term improvement.

My rate is $50 USD per hour.

If you're interested in working together, send me a message. I would be happy to discuss your goals and see whether we're a good fit.

As an International Master, I have represented Costa Rica in numerous national and international competitions over the past 25 years. Some of the highlights of my playing career include:

Two-time Costa Rican National Champion
Represented Costa Rica in three Chess Olympiads, playing first board in:
39th Chess Olympiad – Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia (2010)
40th Chess Olympiad – Istanbul, Türkiye (2012)
44th Chess Olympiad – Chennai, India (2022)
Saint Louis Invitational (2017, 2019)
Continental Chess Championship of the Americas – Colombia (2017)
CCL IM Norm Tournament
U.S. Masters (2013)
World Open
Philadelphia International
Philadelphia Open
Pittsburgh Open
Liberty Bell Open

Throughout my career, I have competed extensively in tournaments across the United States, Central America, and international events, gaining valuable experience against players from around the world.

I have over 25 years of coaching experience, working with players of all ages and levels.

My primary focus today is coaching adult improvers and ambitious tournament players through personalized online lessons.

Throughout my career:

Several students have reached FIDE ratings above 2100, 2200, and 2300.
Some students have earned National Master and FIDE Master titles.
Many adult students have made dramatic improvements despite limited study time.

I previously served as coach of the Costa Rican Under-20 National Team.

I currently serve as President of the FIDE America Education Commission, helping promote chess education throughout the Americas.

In addition to private coaching, I served as Head Chess Coach at GSD International School, overseeing chess instruction for 700 primary school students.

I regularly organize teacher training programs, educational seminars, and international chess education initiatives through the FIDE America Education Commission.

Working with both children and adults has given me a broad perspective on how people learn chess at different stages of life.

IIdentifying recurring weaknesses through detailed game analysis

Teaching a structured thought process for practical games

Helping adult improvers use limited study time efficiently

Building personalized opening repertoires

Improving positional understanding and strategic planning

Developing calculation and candidate-move selection

Strengthening endgame technique and converting advantageous positions

Preparing students for serious online and over-the-board competition

Creating personalized homework, Lichess Studies, and structured training plans

Using ChessBase, online databases, and modern training tools to support learning

Clear communication, patience, organization, and long-term mentoring

Every student has different goals, strengths, available study time, and learning styles. Because of that, I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all coaching program.

We usually begin with an introductory meeting to discuss your background, goals, tournament experience, and current study habits.

I then analyze your recent games to identify the recurring patterns that are limiting your progress. Rather than trying to improve everything at once, we establish clear priorities and build a training plan around them.

Lessons are interactive. I want to understand how you think during a game, not simply show you stronger moves. During our sessions, you'll calculate variations, explain your ideas, compare candidate moves, and discuss plans. This allows me to improve your decision-making process, which ultimately leads to better results.

Between lessons, I often assign personalized homework based on your needs. This may include game analysis, calculation exercises, opening preparation, endgame work, annotated master games, or Lichess Studies.

As you play tournament games, we regularly review your progress, adjust priorities, and refine your training plan. My goal is not only to help you improve your rating, but to help you become a stronger and more independent chess player.