Coach’s Corner: Volodymyr Vetoshko – Chessable Blog

Ukraine has produced some of the most creative and aggressive chess players in history. The Lviv region, in particular, is the hometown of legends such as Vasyl Ivanchuk, Alexander Beliavsky and the Muzychuk sisters, Anna and Mariya. It is within this rich chess tradition that GM Volodymyr Vetoshko developed his uncompromising, dynamic style of play.

A product of Lviv’s highly competitive chess scene, Vetoshko studied with renowned Ukrainian grandmasters Vladimir Grabinsky, Mykhaylo Olekseenko, and Adrian Mikhalchishin. Immersed in a culture that prizes chess fighting and deep calculation, he has collected an impressive list of junior achievements including five national titles and a silver medal at the European Under 10 Championship.

These early successes laid the foundation for his continued rise. Later, at the age of 19, he became a grandmaster.

Today, Vetoshko channels his experience into his work as a coach, helping players from around the world develop sharper tactical instincts and a more confident approach to the game. Similarly, he is also an author of Chessable, where he distills his practical, fighting philosophy to open courses designed for faster time control.

In this interview, Vetoshko shares practical tips for chess improvers.

What is your philosophy on teaching chess?

I believe that every chess player is unique and therefore requires an individual approach. A developmental program that provides a great boost to one student may be completely ineffective to another.

I always try to know the weaknesses and strengths of my student, the types of positions they want to play (open / closed, dynamic / static, complex / simple, etc.) and we work accordingly: building an appropriate opening repertoire, developing an understanding of the positions they struggle with, discussing the correct decision-making process and other things.

At the same time, there is a set of things that everyone needs to work on regularly (like calculations, for example).

Suppose a player has only 3 hours a week for chess practice. How do they spend their time?

To make it clear: it is very difficult to spend 3 hours per week for chess training (if your ambition is strong), but if you just love chess and you want to improve little by little, it is still possible! And the plan in this case should be as simple as possible.

1) Solve tactics to start the training session! Usually the games are chosen by a mistake so tactics are the most important. And it’s a nice warm-up, too! Like stretching for an athlete before a competition 🙂

2) Play online games (Fast or at least blitz with boost) and make sure you analyze them afterwards. Remember, the most important mistake is the first one you make! Because you will probably get the same opening position on the board in the future and you need to know if you are sticking to the same approach or deviating. And the important thing, try to understand why!

3) Choose a simple opening repertoire that you enjoy and stick to it; if you are faced with a line you don’t know – add it to your repertoire after the game. Review your repertoire from time to time.

What is the biggest factor in the development of players under 1200 (Chess.com)? Under 2000?

For players under 1200 on Chess.com, the biggest thing is simple: tactics, tactics, tactics. In this Under 1200: learn the basic principles of chess and definitely tactics, tactics, tactics! At this stage 99% of games are decided by serious tactical errors. Develop your combinational vision by solving many puzzles; pay attention to the hanging pieces in each game (look for the double attack and keep your pieces defended). Stick to a simple opening repertoire where you have a natural progression.

The closer to 2000 you get the more important it becomes to develop other areas as well (positional play, endgame play and building a deeper opening repertoire). However, the calculation remains important!

What is your preferred way of improving openings? What is the chess opening technique you try to teach your students?

Besides just memorizing the lines it is important to understand the ideas behind the moves and to know the plans of the middle play.

I build my repertoire according to my taste and style. I will search the database games played by an opening expert in this concrete line of interest and analyze them. Another important thing is to follow the latest games from the top tournaments. There are many new and interesting ideas implemented! When I find new approaches to the openings I play I analyze them with an engine more deeply and add them to my existing repertoire as an alternative. And I can use it in my OTB tournaments, shocking my opponents! The element of surprise is extremely important in chess today.

In addition, there are so many courses available at any opening, it is possible to choose the one you like and study! But then I still suggest expanding your knowledge by going through the annotated games of the masters of the openings (the more the merrier!), trying to understand the ideas and plans of the whole game.

It is important to practice the lines you study in online games. You will get a better understanding of the emerging positions and you will be able to memorize the lines more effectively. If you are faced with something that has not been explored, analyze it and add it to your repertoire. And don’t forget to analyze each game after you finish it! 🙂

What is your preferred way of improving the end game?

Study a set of theoretical endgames (books that come to mind are 100 Ultimate Games You Should Know and Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual) and play through the annotated games of endgame legends (such as Carlsen, Capablanca).

Is there anything else you’d like to share with aspiring chess developers?

My advice: enjoy the learning process and try to learn something new every day!

Chessable courses by GM Volodymyr Vetoshko

In his courses, Vetoshko treats openings as springboards for initiative, calculation and fighting chess, which are particularly effective for players seeking to maximize their results in fast and online formats.

His Rapid and Blitz 1.e4 Repertoire was nominated for a Chessable Award last year as one of the Best Opening Courses for White. It’s part of the 2025 Chessable Awards Sale and is discounted until February 18, 2026.

His latest course, Rapid and Blitz Repertoire for Black, is on introductory sale and will remain discounted until February 19, 2026.

Check out his author page!