SAARchess
Mastery
Awaits
Where your search for mastering chess ends. Coaching by FIDE Master Saarthak Malakar — helping players of all levels think deeper, play sharper.
The Mind
Behind the Board
SAARchess is an effort by Saarthak to make you do what is right, not what is easy nor what is popular. The primary focus is to help beginners and lower-rated players get better at chess. Progressing in chess isn't that hard once you have mastered the basics and the themes of the game.
SAARchess welcomes all ages and skill levels, from beginner to intermediate. It currently has an online option only in Toronto, Ontario. If you love chess, you've come to the right place.
About Saarthak
I began playing chess with my father at 10. Having excelled at math and music from a young age, I always enjoyed the complexities of chess, hence dipping my toe in the world of rated tournaments.
Eventually, I joined the chess team for my elementary school chess team in the USA and continued through my high school and the secondary school chess club in Canada. I played tournaments across countries and won many of them.
My first landmark was achieving CFC 2154 and the National Candidate Master Title. I continued to earn the National Master of Canada title, then Candidate Master (CM), and ultimately the FIDE Master (FM) title with 2300+ FIDE and 2400+ CFC.
When not playing chess, I like walks around the city, spending time with friends and family, working toward RCM level 7 piano, and reading fiction.
Other Achievements
- 2nd place in North York Music Festival 2023, Toronto, ON
- Best Performer in many Recitals across countries
- Top 25% in Pascal Contest 2023
- Top 25% in CIMC 2023 · 8th in School
- Bronze Medallion — National Lifeguard Lifesaving Society
- 2nd place in Abacus State Level Championship
Experience &
Expertise
Plus a lot more…
I have experience helping players with tactics, calculation, strategy, openings, endgames, psychology, and more. I keep following new trends and trying new things in teaching.
Best Skills
I can play both attacking and positional chess. I know many different openings and typical positions, so we can get along well no matter your style of play.
Teaching Methodology
In my classes, I teach openings carefully and analyze them meticulously for improvement in planning. We go through classic games and analyze every move step-by-step. I send files for you to examine on your own.
For the middlegame, we work on strategies in class and calculation is your homework. I also cover both Practical and Theoretical Endgames in class.
If you have certain aspects of chess you'd like to improve, we can work on them. I can look at your games and define what would be the most important thing for your improvement. Homework is included.
Beginner Lessons
Appropriate for students who are new to chess up to CFC 900. We cover the fundamentals — rules, piece values, basic tactics, and opening principles. Perfect for building a solid foundation.
Intermediate Lessons
Appropriate for students rated CFC 900–1400 or FIDE up to 1200. We go deeper into strategy, pawn structures, endgames, and calculation to take your game to the next level.
Lessons are completely voluntary and meet every week, year-round, except for federal holidays. Group lessons cover all phases of chess — opening, middlegame, and endgame — with attention to both tactics and strategy. Group lessons are online via Zoom or any other suitable platform. During the school year, there are no lessons on days when Public Schools are closed.
More coming soon…
Test Your
Intuition
Try out the daily puzzle! Refreshed every 24 hours. There are rewards for regular, consistent performance. Submit your email along with your answers.
- hxg5
- b7 g4#
They Love me.
You Will Too.
Start Your
Journey
I'm always happy to talk with chess players and families. Include info about your student — age, playing strength, chess ratings (CFC or FIDE), and personality.