

Barkat's profile and contact details have been verified by our team
Barkat
- Rate R226
- Response 1h

R226/h
1st lesson free
- Chess
FIDE Certified Instructor, Two-Time Intervarsity Champion, Offering Structured and Result-Driven Chess Training Online.
- Chess
Lesson location
Recommended
Barkat is a respected tutor in our community. He is highly recommended for his commitment and the quality of his lessons. A trusted partner on your learning journey.
About Barkat
Chess and learning have always gone hand in hand in my life. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D) graduate by education and a chess player and instructor by passion. Both fields require discipline, critical thinking, and problem-solving — qualities that shape the way I play chess and the way I teach it.
My journey in chess began as a hobby and gradually grew into a serious pursuit of mastery and competition. Over the years, I have represented my institutions in multiple regional and national tournaments and proudly became a two-time All Pakistan Intervarsity Chess Champion (Gold Medalist). Today, I am also a FIDE Certified School Instructor (SI) with an official teaching license, which allows me to teach chess using internationally recognized methods and structured educational programs.
Teaching is where my love for chess truly comes alive. I have more than two years of experience coaching students in private schools and online, working with children, teenagers, and adults from diverse backgrounds and skill levels. I enjoy understanding how each student thinks and learns, and then guiding them with a personalized approach that builds confidence, clarity, and long-term improvement.
Outside the classroom and the chessboard, I am deeply interested in continuous learning, strategy, and self-development. Chess, to me, is much more than a game — it is a mental workout that sharpens focus, strengthens memory, and trains the mind to stay calm and analytical under pressure. These are the same skills I developed through my pharmacy education and now apply in my teaching philosophy.
Whether you are a beginner discovering chess for the first time, a young player aiming for competitive success, or an adult looking to improve your skills or enjoy chess at a deeper level, I welcome students of all ages. My goal is to help you not only become a stronger chess player, but also a more confident and disciplined thinker through the beauty of the game.
About the lesson
- All levels
- English
Languages in which the lesson is available :
English
As a FIDE Certified School Instructor (SI) with an official teaching license, I provide structured, professional, and engaging chess education based on internationally recognized methodology. In our first sessions, I carefully assess each student’s current level, strengths, and areas for improvement, and then design a personalized training plan according to their goals — whether they want to improve for school or club competitions, online play, or serious tournament preparation at any age.
My lessons are fully interactive and one-on-one, covering all stages of the game: opening principles, middlegame strategy, tactical calculation, and essential endgames. I teach openings using the official FIDE Chess-in-Schools curriculum and the Opening Master’s Database, which is exclusively provided to licensed chess instructors. This allows me to prepare students with accurate, modern opening repertoires adapted to their level, rather than relying on random or outdated systems.
For training and analysis, I use professional tools such as LogiqBoard to develop positional understanding and visualization skills, and Lichess.org for game analysis, studies, and practical training. We regularly analyze your own games to identify mistakes, improve decision-making, and strengthen your overall thinking process. Homework exercises and guided practice materials are also provided to ensure steady improvement between lessons.
My goal is not only to teach moves, but to teach how to think in chess — so students of any age can become independent, creative, and stronger players.
Recommendations
Recommendations are written by the tutor's friends, family, and acquaintances.
I highly recommend Barkat to anyone serious about improving their game. Known affectionately as "El Barko" and descending from true chess royalty, he brings both a deep respect for tradition and a constant drive to innovate. He is always refining his approach, staying ahead of the curve with new ideas and methods that keep his teaching fresh and effective.
His insights into strategy, tactics, and positional play are masterful, but what really sets him apart is his understanding of chess psychology. He teaches not just the moves, but the mindset required for success: how to think, adapt, and stay resilient under pressure.
He is patient, encouraging, and consistently supportive, making him an excellent mentor for players at any level. Under his guidance, you can expect real, measurable improvement.
If he has any weakness, it’s only against the shockingly crafty Sheikh Bruno—an opponent who, while perhaps not as technically refined, possesses extraordinary intelligence and unpredictability that could unsettle even the strongest players.
Overall, Barkat will undoubtedly take your game to the next level. Hire him with complete confidence. You won't regret it.This guy really is amazing! He teaches chess in super fun way and I really loved how he interacted with us. Cheers mate!
I’ve really enjoyed working with Ali as my chess coach. He’s very patient and explains things clearly, but he also challenges me in a way that pushes me to improve. He walks through positions step by step and makes sure I understand the reasoning behind moves rather than just memorizing them. Ali has extensive knowledge of chess strategies at all levels and does a great job adapting lessons to where I am as a player. I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to improve their chess game.
I highly recommend Barkat as an outstanding online chess coach. As an All Pakistan Gold Medalist, he brings real competitive experience and deep strategic understanding to his lessons. He has personally taught me as well, and I’ve experienced firsthand how clearly and patiently he explains complex positions. His teaching not only improves your moves but also strengthens your confidence and strategic thinking. Any student learning from him will be in excellent hands!! ♟️
See more recommendations
Rates
Rate
- R226
Package rates
- 5h: R1130
- 10h: R2260
free lesson
The free first lesson with Barkat allows you to get to know the tutor and discuss your needs and expectations.
- 1h
online
- R226/h
Similar Chess tutor profiles
Lisa
Richards Bay & online
- R300/h
- 1st lesson free
Dylan
Johannesburg & online
- R420/h
- 1st lesson free
Wian
& online
- R700/h
- 1st lesson free
Sharon
Johannesburg & online
- R170/h
- 1st lesson free
Gerrit
Pretoria & online
- R300/h
- 1st lesson free
Petro
Potchefstroom
- R250/h
- 1st lesson free
Sachen
Sandton & online
- R250/h
- 1st lesson free
Lusanda
Pietermaritzburg & online
- R100/h
- 1st lesson free
Anito
Cape Town & online
- R260/h
- 1st lesson free
Mpho
Johannesburg & online
- R50/h
- 1st lesson free
Xolela
Cape Town & online
- R250/h
- 1st lesson free
Eric
Johannesburg & online
- R399/h
- 1st lesson free
Amanda
Roodepoort & online
- R300/h
- 1st lesson free
GILBERT
Lenasia
- R260/h
- 1st lesson free
Dewald
Sandbaai & online
- R150/h
- 1st lesson free
Thabo
Cape Town & online
- R350/h
- 1st lesson free
Michaela
Pretoria & online
- R200/h
- 1st lesson free
Zanté
Cape Town & online
- R400/h
- 1st lesson free
Faaiq
Gqeberha & online
- R400/h
- 1st lesson free
Abdarahim
Cape Town & online
- R200/h
- 1st lesson free
-
See Chess tutors
