GM Elshan Moradiabadi

I believe chess inspires education, social empowerment, and critical thinking.

I believe chess inspires education, social empowerment, and critical thinking.

Elshan is a chess grandmaster, coach, author, and advocate. Most recently he co-won the 2022 US Open, plus the 2022 Chess Journalist of the Year award for his contributions to Chess Life Magazine and other publications. He is also the co-author of Sherlock’s Method, a popular chess book for players aiming to increase their rating from around 1700 OTB to 2300+. He most frequently coaches kids, adults, and other master-level players. Elshan became the Iranian Champion at 15 years old and still plays competitively to this day.

Learn chess from a Grandmaster

Want to improve your chess rating?

  • Beginners and casual players

  • Club players (1400-1900)

  • Competitive Players (1900+)

  • Professional Coaching for Experts & Masters

GM Elshan Moradiabadi - Take Chess Lessons

Elshan has been a professional coach for 20+ years

Book a Lesson Today

Elshan has been coaching kids, adults, and professionals across the globe for over 20 years. He specializes in 1-on-1 lessons for motivated players who want to increase their rating and OTB tournament results. Elshan was the official coach for the US National Team in 2019, plus the Head of Delegates for India in 2019.

What Elshan’s Students Are Saying

“Under Elshan’s teaching for a little over a year, I earned the Candidate Master title, National Master title, and FIDE Master Title, and gained over 400 points.”

Working with Elshan has been a genuinely life-changing experience, with benefits that extend far beyond just improving my game. His unique approach to teaching has completely changed the way I see the game and enabled me to have a greater level of sophistication and understanding of chess. For example, his emphasis on the 9 imbalances of chess truly opened my eyes to the complexities of the game and gave me a new perspective on how to approach each position strategically.

Under Elshan’s teaching for a little over a year, I earned the Candidate Master title, National Master title, and FIDE Master Title, and gained over 400 points. Elshan’s patience and encouragement have been instrumental to my growth in the game, and he has always been available to analyze my games and provide insightful feedback. His passion for the game is contagious, and he has helped me to develop a deeper appreciation for the nuances of chess.

In addition to his coaching, Elshan’s book, Sherlock’s Method, delves into many interesting and fascinating concepts and offers a holistic view on the game. It has been an invaluable resource for me, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve their game. Thanks to Elshan’s coaching, I was able to achieve one of my greatest accomplishments – winning the World School Chess Championship u15 in Panama with a score of 8.5/9. This would not have been possible without his guidance and support. I highly recommend Elshan to anyone looking to take their chess game to the next level. He is an exceptional coach who is truly invested in his students’ success, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him!

-FM Shawnak Shivakumar
FIDE 2430, World #4 & US #2 for < 16 yrs old (2023)

Affiliations & Organizations

Elshan is a regular contributor to Chess Life Magazine and Grandmaster in residence for the St. Louis Chess Club. He also frequently partners with the US Chess Federation (USCF) in various capacities to promote chess nationally. If you want to discuss a business or partnership opportunity with Elshan, please use the main contact form to get in touch.

From the blog of GM Elshan Moradiabadi

Recent Articles