Hi! I’m Antoine Bournel, a French International Master and professional chess coach.
As both an active player and a coach, I understand the challenges ambitious players face and the obstacles that can slow down their progress.
I'm looking especially for motivated players who take chess seriously and are ready to become actively involved in their improvement.
IM Antoine Bournel
Your fire. My guidance. Your breakthrough.
| Location |  France |
|---|---|
| Languages | Français, English (US) |
| Rating | 28722615 |
| Hourly rate | 90€/hour, discussed individually. |
| Availability | Accepting students |
| Active |
About me
Playing experience
• International Master since 2022
• Peak classical rating of 2437 FIDE
• Runner-up in the 2026 French Blitz Championship
• Winner of the 2026 Harda International Rapid Tournament with an unbeaten 8.5/9
• French Junior Rapid and Blitz Champion in 2022
• Peak classical rating of 2437 FIDE
• Runner-up in the 2026 French Blitz Championship
• Winner of the 2026 Harda International Rapid Tournament with an unbeaten 8.5/9
• French Junior Rapid and Blitz Champion in 2022
Teaching experience
I have been coaching professionally for over five years and I am passionate about teaching and sharing chess knowledge.
Through my club L’Échiquier Châlonnais and my private coaching, I have taught chess in many different settings, from kindergarten beginners to professional players.
I continuously learn from leading coaches and top players worldwide, always looking for new training methods that can be adapted to each student.
Through my club L’Échiquier Châlonnais and my private coaching, I have taught chess in many different settings, from kindergarten beginners to professional players.
I continuously learn from leading coaches and top players worldwide, always looking for new training methods that can be adapted to each student.
Other experiences
In my pursuit of the Grandmaster title, I have trained with world-renowned coaches such as R.B. Ramesh and Iossif Dorfman.
I have also organized several training camps in France with professional Grandmasters and International Masters.
I learned psychology and performance from professional.
I have also organized several training camps in France with professional Grandmasters and International Masters.
I learned psychology and performance from professional.
Best skills
I truly love to help people grow. Passionate about pedagogy and teaching.
My main strength is identifying the specific obstacles holding a student back and adapting the training accordingly.
I help each student develop the right mindset and improve their motivation and training habits to be come a stronger, more confident and more independent player.
My main strength is identifying the specific obstacles holding a student back and adapting the training accordingly.
I help each student develop the right mindset and improve their motivation and training habits to be come a stronger, more confident and more independent player.
Teaching methodology
Every coaching relationship begins with a conversation about your background, goals, games and training habits.
I then identify your main areas for improvement and build personalized work around them. The content evolves with your progress, with each lesson focused on concrete problems and practical solutions.
You leave each session knowing what to work on and why, and the programme evolves with your progress.
I then identify your main areas for improvement and build personalized work around them. The content evolves with your progress, with each lesson focused on concrete problems and practical solutions.
You leave each session knowing what to work on and why, and the programme evolves with your progress.