HOW TO HIRE · LESSONS & TUTORING · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a chess coach in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A chess coaching in Ireland costs €25–€70 per hour, typically around €40. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a chess coach in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers chess coach work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — competition Preparation — preparing for competitions is a key aspect of chess coaching.
- How does factors that change the price?It affects how many people are needed on the day. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does coach's experience change the price?Accreditation narrows the field and lifts the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does length change the price?Time on the job is the largest part of the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Chess coaching usually focuses on skill development and game strategy, but it does not include tournament entry fees, chess equipment, or travel costs for on-site coaching sessions — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a chess coach job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
NO REGISTER APPLIES TO PRIVATE TUTORS. Anyone may advertise as one. Where the student is under 18 the thing that matters is Garda vetting, obtained through an organisation under the National Vetting Bureau Acts 2012–2016 — and a parent cannot apply for it on a tutor's behalf, so the only practical check is to ask the tutor to show you the disclosure they hold and to read its date. A qualified teacher will also be on a teaching register, which is checkable.
Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.
What to check instead
Garda vetting, shown to you, with its date; A subject qualification, and how much of their work is this subject at this level; Whether lessons are one-to-one or shared, and where they happen; For online lessons, whether sessions are recorded and who holds the recording; Cancellation and payment terms in writing — block-paid lessons are the commonest dispute; Two references from current families.
Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.
Insurance
Expect public liability, and professional indemnity if they advise on exam strategy. You are booking an individual for a set number of hours, so ask whether the ID has been checked and what the rating is from people who booked the same way — there is no company behind them to carry either.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT
No VAT: this service is exempt, so there is none to add and none to reclaim. A quote that adds it is wrong. An individual working under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge VAT at all, and does not have a VAT number to give you.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: No register covers chess coach work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — competition Preparation — preparing for competitions is a key aspect of chess coaching.
A good answer: It affects how many people are needed on the day. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Accreditation narrows the field and lifts the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Time on the job is the largest part of the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Chess coaching usually focuses on skill development and game strategy, but it does not include tournament entry fees, chess equipment, or travel costs for on-site coaching sessions — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a chess coach job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability, and professional indemnity if they advise on exam strategy — tactical Exercises — chess coaching sessions frequently incorporate tactical exercises designed to sharpen a player's skills.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the chess coach starts, and an itemised invoice after — game Analysis — coaches often provide detailed analysis of past games to identify strengths and weaknesses.
Booking by the hour
- The rate per hour, and whether it changes in the evening or at a weekend
- The minimum booking, and what happens if the job finishes early
- What they bring and what you supply
- Whether the ID has been checked, and the rating from people who booked the same way
- Insurance, where the work can damage something or somebody
- The hours and the list of what is to be done, agreed before the first one
Walk away if
- They will not talk about it: factors that — it affects how many people are needed on the day
- They will not talk about it: coach's experience — accreditation narrows the field and lifts the price
- They will not talk about it: length — time on the job is the largest part of the price
- A price for the chess coach before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
- No written quote, or one that moves once the chess coach has begun
What a chess coach costs: €25–€70 per hour
Most chess coachs quote the job rather than the hour; the hourly rate is what the small jobs are priced from. Individual coaching sessions and Group coaching each carry their own band. Chess Coaching price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Chess coaches near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.
- Look firstFactors that — it affects how many people are needed on the day — that is what the chess coach is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneCoach's experience — accreditation narrows the field and lifts the price — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfLength — time on the job is the largest part of the price — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherFrequency of sessions — a rushed job and a careful one take different amounts of time — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the chess coach is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, whether the coaching is in-person or online — the answer to this shapes the rest of the quote.
- Game Analysis
- Coaches often provide detailed analysis of past games to identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Tactical Exercises
- Chess coaching sessions frequently incorporate tactical exercises designed to sharpen a player's skills.
- Competition Preparation
- Preparing for competitions is a key aspect of chess coaching.
- Group Coaching
- Sessions designed for small groups to encourage collaborative learning and strategic discussions.
- Tournament Preparation
- Intensive coaching sessions aimed at preparing players for upcoming competitions.
- Online Coaching
- Remote lessons via video conferencing, providing flexibility for students who prefer learning from home.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a chess coach: questions people ask
The cost of chess coaching can vary widely based on the coach's experience and location. Look for coaches with recognised qualifications or experience in competitive chess.
Factors that drive the cost include the coach's qualifications, experience level, and the specific services offered. Coaches with a track record of success or those who are internationally recognised may charge higher rates.
A typical chess coaching session lasts about one hour, though some coaches may offer longer sessions depending on the needs of the student. It's best to discuss session length with your coach before booking.
While working with a general chess enthusiast can be beneficial, a qualified coach often brings structured training and expertise that can significantly enhance your learning experience. If you're aiming for competitive play, a qualified coach is recommended.
Same-day chess coaching availability varies by coach. Some may offer emergency sessions, while others may require advance booking. It's advisable to contact your coach directly for their availability.
Chess coaching usually focuses on skill development and game strategy, but it does not include tournament entry fees, chess equipment, or travel costs for on-site coaching sessions. Always clarify what is included with your coach.
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