BulgariaGrandmaster and FIDE trainer, rated 2539 FIDE, 39 years old.
Born in Zagreb, Croatia. Currently living in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
I offer chess lessons and coaching to those serious about improving their game (minimum ELO FIDE 1600). I enjoy sharing my knowledge and passion for chess to help students improve their skills.
If you are interested, please contact me at dkuljasevic@gmail.com.
About me
Playing experience
Top competitive achievements:
- 4th place in World Youth U16 in 2002
- Winner of international tournaments: SPICE Spring 2011, Zupanja 2011, Mediteran 2011, Split 2013, Castelfranco 2014;
- Team achievements: Mitropa Cup team 1st place with Croatian national team in 2004, 2013 and 2017; US Chess league: 1st place in 2007 and 2008 with Dallas Destiny; multiple winner of Croatian cup and 1st league with teams 'Mladost' Zagreb and 'Liburnija' Rijeka.
- 4th place in World Youth U16 in 2002
- Winner of international tournaments: SPICE Spring 2011, Zupanja 2011, Mediteran 2011, Split 2013, Castelfranco 2014;
- Team achievements: Mitropa Cup team 1st place with Croatian national team in 2004, 2013 and 2017; US Chess league: 1st place in 2007 and 2008 with Dallas Destiny; multiple winner of Croatian cup and 1st league with teams 'Mladost' Zagreb and 'Liburnija' Rijeka.
Teaching experience
I have 16 years of experience as a coach.
Some of my current/former students are: GM Sankalp Gupta, GM Visakh Narayanan, GM Vignesh Narayanan, IM Yu Tian Poh, IM Mike Ivanov, IM Vedant Panesar, IM Kevin Wang, IM Jadranko Plenca, IM Suyog Wagh, and IM Dante Beukes.
I worked as a Junior chess coach at the Dubai Chess and Culture Club from 2015 to 2017, during which I also received my FIDE Trainer (FT) title in 2016.
Worked as a coach of Finland men's and women's national teams from 2019-2021.
I have published instructive chess content in collaboration with New in Chess, Chessable, Chess.com, ChessBase, the Internet Chess Club (ICC), Modern Chess, thechessworld.com, Forward Chess, Chessmood, and the Kasparov Chess Foundation.
Some of my current/former students are: GM Sankalp Gupta, GM Visakh Narayanan, GM Vignesh Narayanan, IM Yu Tian Poh, IM Mike Ivanov, IM Vedant Panesar, IM Kevin Wang, IM Jadranko Plenca, IM Suyog Wagh, and IM Dante Beukes.
I worked as a Junior chess coach at the Dubai Chess and Culture Club from 2015 to 2017, during which I also received my FIDE Trainer (FT) title in 2016.
Worked as a coach of Finland men's and women's national teams from 2019-2021.
I have published instructive chess content in collaboration with New in Chess, Chessable, Chess.com, ChessBase, the Internet Chess Club (ICC), Modern Chess, thechessworld.com, Forward Chess, Chessmood, and the Kasparov Chess Foundation.
Other experiences
I graduated with a Master's degree in Finance from Texas Tech University in 2011. I received my undergraduate degree in Finance and Operations Management from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2009.
I was editor-in-chief of 'Sahovski glasnik' (Chess Herald), the official monthly chess magazine of the Croatian Chess Federation from 2013 to 2015.
In 2014, I hosted the TV show 'Sahovski Komentar' ('Chess commentary') on Croatian National Television, aimed at popularizing chess among chess enthusiasts and a broader audience.
Author of bestselling books 'How to Study Chess on Your Own' and 'Beyond Material'. My newest books are 'The How to Study Chess on Your Own Workbook', Volumes 1, 2, and 3, and Ding Liren's Best Games, all published by New In Chess.
I was editor-in-chief of 'Sahovski glasnik' (Chess Herald), the official monthly chess magazine of the Croatian Chess Federation from 2013 to 2015.
In 2014, I hosted the TV show 'Sahovski Komentar' ('Chess commentary') on Croatian National Television, aimed at popularizing chess among chess enthusiasts and a broader audience.
Author of bestselling books 'How to Study Chess on Your Own' and 'Beyond Material'. My newest books are 'The How to Study Chess on Your Own Workbook', Volumes 1, 2, and 3, and Ding Liren's Best Games, all published by New In Chess.
Best skills
1. In-depth game analysis, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and creating study plans
2. Calculation improvement (especially visualization)
3. Awareness of opponent's resources - development of prophylactic thinking
4. Understanding of typical middlegame positions, pawn structures, and plans
5. Endgame technique
2. Calculation improvement (especially visualization)
3. Awareness of opponent's resources - development of prophylactic thinking
4. Understanding of typical middlegame positions, pawn structures, and plans
5. Endgame technique
Teaching methodology
1. Analyzing students' games in depth
2. Focusing on areas that need improvement
3. Improving students' understanding and analytical skills through joint analysis
4. Personalized homework exercises
5. Opening databases for students' opening repertoire
6. Suggesting high-quality chess books, online training resources, and self-study methods
7. Monitoring students' progress, providing feedback, designing study and tournament plans
2. Focusing on areas that need improvement
3. Improving students' understanding and analytical skills through joint analysis
4. Personalized homework exercises
5. Opening databases for students' opening repertoire
6. Suggesting high-quality chess books, online training resources, and self-study methods
7. Monitoring students' progress, providing feedback, designing study and tournament plans