IM Olita Rause

I am a professional chess coach holding the FIDE titles of Woman Grandmaster (WGM) and the open International Master (IM). Uniquely, I also hold a Master’s degree in Philology, which allows me to combine elite chess knowledge with professional pedagogical methods.

Originally from Latvia, I am a true polyglot, offering lessons in English, German, Russian, and Latvian. I specialize in working with children (ages 5–12) and ambitious amateurs who want structured, disciplined improvement.

My competitive career spans over 20 years at the highest level.
My proudest achievement was participating in the 1994 Chess Olympiad in Moscow, representing Latvia against the world's best female players.

Titles: I achieved the WGM title in 1993 and the open International Master (IM) title in 1995.

Correspondence Chess: I am also an International Correspondence Chess Grandmaster (ICCGM) and was ranked World #1 among women in this discipline. This reflects my deep expertise in opening theory and complex analysis. I won the ICCF World Cup VI tournament.
National Success: Multiple-time prize winner at the Latvian Women's Chess Championships.

I have over 10 years of experience as a chess educator.

Private Coaching: I have successfully guided private students from absolute beginners to achieving the Candidate Master (CM) title.

School Programs: I led the chess curriculum for 1st and 2nd graders at the prestigious Jurmala Alternative School, focusing on building logic and concentration in young children.

Education: My Master's degree in Philology provides a strong foundation for verbal instruction, ensuring I can explain complex concepts simply and clearly.

Beyond chess, I have a professional background in literary editing and philology. I have worked as an editor-in-chief for a major publishing house, which requires extreme attention to detail and clarity of thought—skills that translate directly to chess analysis.

I also specialize in the CLIL method (Content and Language Integrated Learning), offering students the chance to improve their foreign language skills (German, English, or Russian) while learning chess.

Chess Skills:

Opening Repertoire: Thanks to my background in correspondence chess, I help students build bulletproof opening repertoires.

Endgames: I emphasize understanding endgames to improve overall calculation and logic.

Teaching Skills:

Patience & Psychology: I know how to keep young students (5-12 years old) motivated without pressure.

Structure: Every lesson has a clear goal. I do not just "play games"; we work towards specific milestones.

I conduct interactive lessons via Zoom, Google Meet.

Tools: I use Lichess Studies (Broadcast feature) and ChessBase to share the board in real-time. Students can move pieces on their screen, making the lesson active, not passive.

Preparation: I prepare individualized material for each student based on their weaknesses (tactics, positional understanding, or openings).

Follow-up: After lessons, I provide PGN files or Lichess study links with homework to review before the next session.

Language: Lessons can be conducted in English, German, Russian, or Latvian, depending on the student's preference.