Hello! My name is Federico Perez Ponsa. I am an Argentine Grandmaster (GM) and an active professional player and coach. Clases también en español.
I offer online lessons in both English and Spanish, fully tailored to each student’s level and goals. My training focuses on practical decision making, game analysis and opening preparation.
I also offer training games (blitz or longer time controls). After each game, we analyze key moments, mistakes, and possible improvements.
Achievements:
- 2021 Argentine National Champion, 4-time National Runner-up
- 5 Chess Olympiads for Argentina, World Cup 2021
- FIDE Top 100 in blitz and rapid (2019)
- Peak rating: 2594
Based in Buenos Aires (UTC-3): convenient evening slots for the US, Canada and Latin America, and morning slots for Europe.
Feel free to contact me here or at fperezponsa@gmail.com for availability and details.
Rates: 50 USD/hour · 10-hour package: 450 USD · Training games with analysis: 40 USD/hour.
GM Federico Perez Ponsa
GM, 2021 Argentine Champion · Openings, analysis & tournament prep
| Location | Buenos Aires Argentina |
|---|---|
| Languages | Español, English (US) |
| Rating | FIDE: 25423155281024822454 |
| Hourly rate | 50 USD/h · 10-hour package 450 USD |
| Availability | Accepting students |
| Active |
About me
Playing experience
With more than 20 years of competitive experience, I have represented Argentina in five Chess Olympiads and have been an active participant in national and international tournaments throughout my career.
In February 2019, I entered the FIDE Top 100 in both Blitz (2646) and Rapid (2655), reflecting my strength in practical, fast-paced decision-making. I became Argentine National Champion in 2021 and finished as National Runner-up on four occasions (2014, 2017, 2023, 2025).
In recent years, I have also won several strong tournaments, including the Legislatura Cup, the Barcelona Masters, the Mercosur Cup, the Clarín Pro-Am Cup, the Buenos Aires Masters, and the Buenos Aires Open. This high-level competitive background strongly influences my coaching, particularly in tournament preparation, decision-making under pressure, and converting advantages in real games.
In February 2019, I entered the FIDE Top 100 in both Blitz (2646) and Rapid (2655), reflecting my strength in practical, fast-paced decision-making. I became Argentine National Champion in 2021 and finished as National Runner-up on four occasions (2014, 2017, 2023, 2025).
In recent years, I have also won several strong tournaments, including the Legislatura Cup, the Barcelona Masters, the Mercosur Cup, the Clarín Pro-Am Cup, the Buenos Aires Masters, and the Buenos Aires Open. This high-level competitive background strongly influences my coaching, particularly in tournament preparation, decision-making under pressure, and converting advantages in real games.
Teaching experience
Over the past several years, I have worked as a chess coach with more than 100 students from different countries and levels, from ambitious amateurs to International Masters pursuing Grandmaster norms.
My coaching is fully personalized and covers all major areas of the game, including opening preparation, game analysis, strategic understanding, and tournament planning.
My coaching is fully personalized and covers all major areas of the game, including opening preparation, game analysis, strategic understanding, and tournament planning.
Other experiences
- Professional player for more than 20 years, still competing at the top national and international level
- Coaching online since 2019: 100+ students from many countries
- Large personal chess library and my own training materials; study guides and a clear work plan between lessons
- Coaching online since 2019: 100+ students from many countries
- Large personal chess library and my own training materials; study guides and a clear work plan between lessons
Best skills
- Opening repertoires that fit your style (specialist in the Najdorf and the King's Indian)
- Deep analysis of your own games: engine plus human explanation of the critical moments
- Tournament preparation: repertoire, opponent preparation, time management and nerves
- Middlegame planning and converting advantages
- Practical endgames
- Fast time controls: blitz and bullet (Lichess ~2800 blitz, ~3150 bullet)
- Deep analysis of your own games: engine plus human explanation of the critical moments
- Tournament preparation: repertoire, opponent preparation, time management and nerves
- Middlegame planning and converting advantages
- Practical endgames
- Fast time controls: blitz and bullet (Lichess ~2800 blitz, ~3150 bullet)
Teaching methodology
I strongly believe in fully personalized training, adapted to each student’s goals, playing style, and competitive level. My role as a coach is closer to that of a guide than a lecturer: I help students develop the understanding and tools needed to keep improving efficiently on their own.
A central part of my work is the regular analysis of my students’ games. By identifying recurring patterns, strengths, and weaknesses, I adapt both the training focus and the long-term plan to each player’s profile and objectives. This ongoing feedback allows the work to evolve naturally as the student progresses.
Lesson time is used strategically. Certain types of work, such as tactical training, can often be done independently, allowing our sessions to focus on decision-making, position evaluation, and practical application.
When working on openings, I always connect them to the resulting middlegame plans and typical endgames. The goal is to understand ideas, structures, and recurring themes, rather than memorizing engine lines without context.
In addition to live lessons, I provide study guidance and carefully selected learning materials, tailored to each student’s needs, to support continuous progress between sessions.
A central part of my work is the regular analysis of my students’ games. By identifying recurring patterns, strengths, and weaknesses, I adapt both the training focus and the long-term plan to each player’s profile and objectives. This ongoing feedback allows the work to evolve naturally as the student progresses.
Lesson time is used strategically. Certain types of work, such as tactical training, can often be done independently, allowing our sessions to focus on decision-making, position evaluation, and practical application.
When working on openings, I always connect them to the resulting middlegame plans and typical endgames. The goal is to understand ideas, structures, and recurring themes, rather than memorizing engine lines without context.
In addition to live lessons, I provide study guidance and carefully selected learning materials, tailored to each student’s needs, to support continuous progress between sessions.