Top chess coaches in Serbia: 10 Grandmasters & titled trainers accepting students
For a country its size, Serbia produces an absurd number of strong chess players. Belgrade alone has a coaching tradition that goes back generations — and most of these coaches teach online, in English, for students anywhere.
Here are 10 of them taking students now. And because this is a list about coaching, not just playing, we've leaned on teaching credentials as hard as on rating. Read how we ranked this list before you browse the roster.
10 elite titled coaches
#1GMCoach of two World Champions — among fewer than a hundred FIDE Senior Trainers on earth. Start here if pedigree is what you're after.
#2GMKeeps the focus on practical improvement rather than theory for its own sake — former head coach of the Serbian national team.
#3GMAuthor of two chess books — built for students who like instruction with actual structured material rather than vibes.
#4GMCaptained and coached at the Olympiad level — team-level experience tends to make for unusually clear-headed coaches.
#5GMPrograms spanning every level — whether you're a rank beginner or grinding toward a national rating, there's a track.
#6GMA natural fit for ambitious younger students who'd rather work with someone closer to their own generation.
#7GMMid-20s Belgrade GM with a university background — easy to talk to, which isn't a given at this level.
#8GMSteady and experienced — the kind of coach you grow with over years, not weeks.
#9GMA veteran GM with decades at the top — a standout for students in French, Russian, or Turkish communities. Confirm English availability first if needed.
#10WGMCertified FIDE Trainer with a master's degree — a strong choice, especially if you're looking for a female coach for a girl or woman starting out.
How to actually pick one
Goal first, then level — put both in your opening note.
🎯 Goal first, then level
Put both in your opening note so the coach can give you a useful reply from the start.
📜 Weight the teaching credentials
For coaching, a FIDE Trainer or Senior Trainer badge, or a long teaching record, can outrank a slightly higher Elo. You're hiring someone to teach, not to play your games.
⚡ Trial first, always
Whether you click is the thing a bio can't tell you.
🌎 Check the language fit
Most teach in English; some also in Russian, Serbian, Bosnian, Turkish, or French.
📅 Agree on cadence and homework
So the work continues between sessions — that's where improvement actually happens.
Frequently asked questions
Can Serbian coaches teach students abroad?
Yes — most teach online in English and already work with students across Europe and beyond.
Why make such a point of trainer certifications?
Because FIDE Trainer and Senior Trainer titles are earned for coaching ability, not playing strength. When you're paying someone to teach, that's exactly the signal you want.
How do I verify a title?
Every coach here holds an official FIDE title, checkable at the FIDE Ratings Database. Ask for the FIDE ID if you want to be sure.
Ready to find your coach?
Chess with Masters connects you straight to titled coaches — Grandmasters like the ones above — taking students right now.
Browse coaches and book a trial lesson →Are you a titled coach? Get featured and start receiving students →