Sergej Korchitskij

Hello! I am Dr. Sergej Korchitskij
- 2-time European Shogi Champion;
- Europe's only dual 5th Dan Shogi Master (recognized by FESA and NSR simultaneously);
- runner up of A class at the 2008 International Shogi Forum (Tendo).

With a Ph.D. in educational science and my experience as a Visiting Professor at the Chengdu Chess Academy, I don't just teach Shogi moves - I scale your cognitive thinking through ancient mind sports. Whether you want to master openings, improve your middle-game and endgame tactics, or reach a high Dan level, I will guide you using a proven, institutional, and deeply strategic approach. Let's elevate your game together!

I've been playing various forms of chess for almost 40 years, 25 of which have been shogi. I've played in Japan many times - at International Shogi Forums, in an amateur Ryuo tournament, and in a televised game against professional Ono Yaichio (I won on a bishop handicap). I've also played in the World Xiangqi Championships in the Philippines and China, and many international tournaments and European championships in three chess disciplines.

- Visiting Professor at Chengdu Chess Academy - lectured and trained players at one of China’s premier mind sports institutions;

- Ph.D. in Educational Science & Mind Sports Pedagogy - combining deep scientific research on cognitive development with practical shogi instruction;

- 10+ Years of Professional Coaching - trained dozens of players worldwide, ranging from complete beginners to advanced Dan-level competitors;

- International Lecturer & Author - developed structured shogi curricula, worksheets, and strategic guides tailored for Western players. Among my students there are international chess grandmasters (IGM) and champions of some European countries.

I have long experience as a lecturer in Latin at the linguistic university, I am a master of Chinese chess xiangqi and I also teach it, I worked as a European chess coach at IGM Wei Yi's native chess school in Yancheng

- Theoretical Knowledge: Deep, comprehensive awareness of both classical shogi heritage and cutting-edge modern theory;

- Constant Kifu Analysis: Daily, rigorous study of all professional kifu (game records) and emerging professional strategies to stay at the absolute forefront of the game;

- Literature-Driven Mastery: Continuous, extensive reading and synthesis of professional Japanese theory books and strategic manuals;

- Cross-Disciplinary Expertise (Chess, Xiangqi & Shogi): I possess a profound understanding of the structural differences and tactical similarities across all major chess variants (European Chess, Xiangqi, and Shogi);

- Leveraging Your Background: If you already have a background in Chess or Xiangqi, I use this knowledge as a powerful foundation. We will bridge the gap between the games, translating your existing skills directly into Shogi to accelerate your learning curve.

My coaching approach is rooted in academic pedagogy (Ph.D. in Educational Science) and elite competitive practice. Rather than forcing you to memorize endless computer lines, I teach you how to think and adapt. Our training will focus on three core pillars:

-Schema-Based Opening Thinking: You will learn to view openings through strategic structures and conceptual frameworks (schemes), rather than rigid, move-by-move memorization. This allows you to smoothly navigate unfamiliar positions and build a reliable, flexible repertoire;

- Middlegame and Endgame Mastery: We will deeply analyze position evaluation, piece coordination, and long-term planning. You will learn how to find the right breakthrough moments, create structural weaknesses in your opponent's camp, and handle complex transition phases;

- Personalized Game Analysis: Deep-dive reviews of your online or tournament games to uncover cognitive blind spots and decision-making flaws.

Feel free to send me a private message to discuss your goals or book your first session.