NM Amudan Mangudi

My name is Amudan Mangudi and I am a USCF National Master. I began playing tournament chess at a young age and have spent 10+ years competing at state and national levels. I am deeply passionate about chess and love sharing that passion by teaching players of all ages and skill levels.

I am a 10x AZ State Chess Champion and have competed alongside my team at K-12 Chess Nationals, finishing 5th in 2023, 9th in 2024, and 5th in 2025 against 300+ competing teams. Chess has been a lifelong passion of mine, I love the complexity of the game and the endless opportunities it provides to grow, learn, and improve. Every game, whether a win or a loss, is an opportunity to become a better player, and that mindset is something I bring to every student I coach.

I have taught chess privately and in group settings for 5+ years, working with players of all skill levels from complete beginners to competitive tournament players. Through my nonprofit, AZ Chess Gurus, I onboarded and coordinated 20+ experienced masters to coach 50+ students worldwide. I have also taught chess in both high school and elementary school settings, founding a weekly chess program at a nearby elementary school where high school students teach chess fundamentals to young children each week.

This quote captures everything I believe about chess improvement. Talent alone will never be enough, the players who truly excel are the ones who show up every single day and refuse to quit after a tough loss. Consistency is everything, and that is the mindset I bring to every student I coach.

As a National Master with over 5 years of coaching experience, I begin by evaluating each student's current level of play to identify their strengths and weaknesses. From there I design a personalized training program built around their individual goals, conducting 1-on-1 online sessions via Zoom or Google Meet covering openings, tactics, endgame technique, and tournament preparation. I perform in-depth game reviews during every session, win or lose, with clear, practical feedback on where and how to improve, and assign targeted homework to ensure consistent progress between sessions.