Private Lessons:

Private lessons are only for advanced chess students who have a strong commitment to improving their game. Although I hate to put a hard figure to what constitutes an 'advanced student' as a general guideline I will define it as a person who already has at least a 1200 USCF rating and is regularly competing in chess competitions. Other factors such as age would affect the final decision.

I maintain a limited number of private students. I want to be certain that the quality of my lessons are not diluted by spreading my time or interests too thin. I seldom give back to back lessons and I schedule only one lesson per evening. This is to assure that I am very attentive and that I have enough extra time to complete any study in progress. I will also be at most of the major scholastic tournaments to support my students.

My students should be taking chess lessons because they want the lessons, not just because a parent believes that it would be a valuable experience.  I expect my students to do some prescribed self study between lessons and to play in tournaments. The use of a computer and chess software is highly recommended. Membership in the Internet Chess Club is required.

Presently, I am coaching many of the top young players in the state. I believe that I can use the dynamics of the group to produce better performance for all of the people in it. I am seeking strong players that believe in being supportive of others, that see cooperation as being more valuable than competition between the players in our group.

At my home    $30  per hour, 1.5 hour minimum
     At your home costs extra

Any private student can supplement their private lessons with 1 hour Internet lessons with IM Goran Vojinovic.

Internet Lessons with IM Goran Vojinovic = $35 for 1 hour.

Non-CCL members can also have Internet lessons with Goran. The cost is $45 for 1 lesson, $85 for a two lesson package, and $120 for a 3 lesson package.

Private Monthly lessons:

The restrictions on the monthly lessons are the same as the weekly lessons. The only differences are that the lessons are two hours each and meet only once per month.     

     At my home    $60   for 2 hour lesson ($70 for 2.5 hour lesson)
     At your home costs extra

International Program:

In this program, there is one monthly two or 2.5 hour lesson at the home of Alan Casden followed by any number of 1 hour weekly Internet lessons with IM Goran Vojinovic from Serbia. The Internet Lessons are done on the free chess server Infinia Chess, with the free Yahoo Messenger service being used for the voice. This is a great service for all chess players but it is especially attractive to out of town students. We can try to schedule early Saturday afternoon lesson monthly lessons for out of town players so that they can come to the Mulligan Chess Club in the morning and then come to Alan's home after the Mulligan Chess Club for their monthly lesson.

Monthly lesson with Alan = 2 hours = $60, 2.5 hours = $70
     Internet lessons with IM Goran Vojinovic= $35 each

The International Game :

In this activity you will play one of Goran's 'other' students in a slow Internet based game. The time control will be g/90 with a 30 second time delay. You must play your game on a regular chess board but transmit the moves over the Internet. The first few moves will be made for you, to help the coaches steer the game into the type of position that they want you to work on. After the game is complete, an IM level coach will go over the game with the players. The recommended level for this exercise is roughly 1600 strength and above. Lower rated players may participate with their coaches recommendation.

     Game with Analysis = $35 each

Tournament Analysis:

The best single thing that you can do to improve your chess is to perform a careful analysis of your tournament games. I have added this service to help meet the needs of chess players who are not able to participate in my private chess lessons. Time permitting, you can schedule these one time private lessons whenever you desire. It is preferred that the lesson is held at my home so that we have access to my extensive chess library. Lessons at your home cost extra. The student should have already studied their tournament games prior to our meeting and it is preferred if an electronic copy of the games are sent to me. A prior sent electronic copy of the games is strongly recommended if this analysis session is done at your home , to help assure that I bring the appropriate materials with me.

   Minimum time of tournament analysis private lesson = 30 minutes per game. Typically, more time is needed but the cost remains fixed.

Cost = $15 per game

    Currently open to everyone, time permitting.

Advanced Group lessons:

This group is composed of the top young chess talents in central Ohio. The topics are of an advanced nature and the proper prerequisite chess knowledge is assumed. Acceptance into this group is based largely on rating and age. It is open to older players with ratings over 1400 although younger players are permitted with lower ratings. All private students are eligible to attend.

    $15 per lesson, only pay when you attend

    1.5 hour topic discussion followed by 1 hour playing chess

Free services to CCL members :

Free 600+ volume chess library http://www.librarything.com/catalog/alancas