I have been playing tournament chess for over twenty five years now. Like most players, I’ve wanted to improve my chess, but I wasn’t sure how. So I did some research, learned what works and what doesn’t, and have applied that knowledge in both my own game and in my teaching of others. Currently I rank in the top twenty active players in Nebraska (this will fluctuate according to my results) and I was a participant in the 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019 Nebraska Closed State Championships.
I am a USCF certified tournament director, a two-time winner of the Chess Journalist of the Year award from the Chess Journalists of America, and the editor of Chess Life Magazine, the official magazine of the United States Chess Federation. Here in Nebraska I am the main organizer and director of the Spence Chess Club.
In February 2018 I was fortunate to be a guest on the Perpetual Chess Podcast. Since then I have appeared twice more. You can listen to the episodes here:
https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2019/4/2/episode-120-john-hartmann-returns
https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2020/5/26/episode-179-john-hartmann-returns-again
I have coached local high school chess teams that have won city and state championships, and I have mentored some of Nebraska’s top junior players. You can see a statement of what I take to be ‘best practices’ on the Teaching Philosophy page, and some information about how I structure lessons on the Lessons page.
I am NOT currently accepting private students, although exceptions may be possible for exceptional talents. Contact me for information!
John Hartmann 