I was coached twice by GM Gergely Szabo, and I was very impressed by his devotion to helping me improve. The first time was at the World Youth Olympiad, in Slovakia. I remember him analyzing every single one of our games after each round and giving us great feedback. He would take the time to explain a particular concept from one of our games we misunderstood, and fully explain it, even if he didn’t have to. The point is that he will go further than what we expect of him and he is very passionate about it. The second time, for the World Olympiad in Georgia, was more about preparing openings than anything else and I was satisfied with the assistance he provided and the thoroughness of his files. Additionally, he would answer all my questions (even thirty minutes before the game). As for the Juniors to Masters Program, his lessons are well planned, clear and insightful. That is why I am delighted to have the opportunity to learn from him once again. Last but not least, Victoria Doknjas, the organizer behind this whole project, is fantastic. She is extremely dedicated to it, hosts technical meetings as well as tournaments and is always there to support us. Without her, none of this would be possible, so thanks a lot!
I really loved the Juniors to Masters Chess Academy’s training sessions. I feel like they helped me a lot in my preparation for the FIDE Online Youth World Cup. First of all, I think the themes were very original and specific, which is great because it helps us practice new parts of the game. Also, I liked the idea of playing training games because it gave us the opportunity to practice and I got to play other strong players. I had the chance to practice positions in which I don't have too much experience, and we got to analyze those games with a strong Grandmaster. I'd like to thank you Victoria as well as GM Gergely for organizing these sessions.
I first worked with Gergely at the World Youth Chess Championships in 2015, where he was very supportive of every team member, and inspired all players to be the best they can be. The lectures at the Juniors to Masters course cover interesting topics, and a different way of looking at things. The training games are very helpful, and support the learning process in a relaxed environment. I would highly recommend the program.
I worked with GM Gergely Szabo for several years and he played a major role in helping me improve my chess skills. He is not only an experienced trainer but a very friendly person, which I believe is just as important. I highly recommend him for anyone who is interested in chess and wants to improve their game.
It's when I met GM Gergely Szabo and Victoria Doknjas in 2020 that I discovered the Juniors to Masters Elite group training. Since then, I attended most of them. The training is divided into two parts: the Master Lecture comes first, and then we play a given position against another player, once with the white and once with the black pieces. Both parts are very fun. The one that I prefer is the Master Lecture. I really enjoy listening and being challenged by GM Gergely on specific positions. The group training also gives me the opportunity to meet and play against very strong players who share the same passion. A special thanks to Victoria who provides a high level of organization. No detail is omitted, everything is done to make you successful and bring out your potential.
I feel like this National group training has been very helpful for my chess. I like how GM Gergely Szabo explains everything very clearly and encourages us to ask questions. I think the training games are very helpful for us, because it's like practicing what we just learned which is super helpful for my learning or else I may not know how to play it out.
The Juniors to Masters program is very fun, interactive, and well-organized. The master class is split into two parts: the lecture and the training game. Each week, GM Gergely Szabo shows us interesting games related to a different topic. He is always very friendly and open to questions. In the training game, I get to play players similar to my strength and sometimes even JtM In-House Masters like NM Neil Doknjas and IM Nicolas Vettese. Victoria Doknjas does an excellent job organizing everything, such as fun events, simuls, and team tournaments. As part of the JtM Leadership Development Program, I had the opportunity to be captain of an international junior league team. I would certainly recommend the JtM program for anyone who wants to improve their game.
The Juniors to Masters (JtM) program provides a really fun and interesting learning experience. Each lesson is structured so that everybody can participate and interact with each other creating an engaged learning environment which also makes the lectures more enjoyable. Each topic is explained thoroughly, and everyone is given the opportunity to give their input allowing the students to learn from each other’s thinking processes. GM Szabo creates a friendly environment in which you can state your opinion or ask a question at any time which he’d be more than happy to answer. The program does a very good job of connecting the theory learned in the lectures to practical play by allowing students to play games against each other relating to the topic of the lecture after each lesson. Then, on a separate day, GM Szabo analyses the games and answers any questions you may have. The JtM program is very genuine and you can tell they really care about the learning quality of the students; hosting Tech Meetings before lessons, asking for feedback to improve future lectures, hosting tournaments, and always being ready to answer questions or help students when they need it. Overall, the program is one of the best I’ve seen, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to improve their game and make some friends while there at it.
I have greatly enjoyed the classes taught by GM Gergely Szabo, FM John Doknjas, FM Joshua Doknjas, and NM Neil Doknjas. The JtM classes are always very well organized and thoughtfully designed, covering a wide range of topics through carefully selected master games. The group discussions with other students are very instructive too. I have also learned a great deal by annotating the training games and solving homework problems. My JtM teachers and Victoria Doknjas even go beyond regular classes to help me prepare for tournaments and team battles. Last but not least, there are many fun events, imagine how exciting it is to play Bughouse, Blitz and simul with In-House Masters! It is a great experience to be a member of this wonderful community.
Sometimes little things can make big differences in someone’s life. Coming from Quebec, we are really thankful to have the opportunity to find out about the JtM Chess Academy. Thanks JtM for your hard work and motivation towards our children. I sense as a parent that you have the same values as our family and you push our kids to becoming not just better at chess but in life too! My son had the opportunity recently to play in an international team event with JtM. Through the parents’ Skype group, we recreated the excitement of a live OTB tournament! Thanks for this experience. The JtM staff is amazing from GM Gergely Szabo and Victoria Doknjas for the support, teaching and master organization, FM Joshua Doknjas, FM John Doknjas, NM Neil Doknjas and FM Nicholas Vettese for your lecturing skills and for playing interesting training games with our kids. To the whole JtM team: I really appreciate your involvement in this league, your organization, your motivation and guidance toward our kids. You make them go out of their comfort-zone! They are in good hands with you guys, in all ways.
Victoria Doknjas, we wanted to take a moment to thank you and GM Gergely Szabo for everything you have done for Wesley this past year. As parents who are new to chess and don’t play, we are so grateful for all of the support you and your team have provided to Wesley and our family. Wesley had some pretty ambitious chess goals, and a passion for chess. At times navigating being chess parents can be difficult. We really appreciated how you took the time to explain the different facets of the game, and how we as parents could best support Wesley. In addition to supporting Wesley, you also supported us as parents, in helping him prepare for competitions, knowing what competitions to focus on, and problem solving as things came up. We especially appreciated how the whole JtM community comes together to support each other during tournaments, and how generously you shared your experiences as a Chess Mom with us. Having so many different coaches to draw from with JtM has also really helped, so that Wesley’s training is consistent, and he can learn from each coach’s strengths. Looking back, Wesley achieved all of his chess goals this year – but more importantly he developed his character, his work ethic, and confidence to know that he can achieve his dreams while having fun. Looking forward to another fun year of chess with JtM!!!
The Juniors to Masters training program has helped me immensely. During the group lessons, GM Szabo always makes sure that we understand the concept and encourages us to ask questions if we don’t. My favourite part of the lessons is when GM Szabo asks us to find the best continuation in the position and give an explanation as to why we think it's the best. It’s very instructive to hear what your peers think about the position — which isn’t something you would get in a private lesson. After we give our opinions about the position, GM Szabo gives us a thorough explanation about what the best move in the position was and why it was so. His explanations are very clear and easy to understand. In my opinion, however, the best part about JtM is the community. I have met so many awesome, talented chess players from all across Canada through the JtM program. Everyone is super friendly, and I often find myself spending my free time playing chess with some of my classmates.... :)
Please accept my sincere thanks for the work your team puts into instruction at JtM Chess Academy. They provide very encouraging, engaging, and personalized training in a group setting. My son, Jayden Su, participated in the online group training 900-1300 level for 5 semesters, and I cannot tell you how much he benefited. In less than a year, his CFC online rating has been improved from 400 to almost 1200. I am highly impressed with the role JtM Chess Academy has played in helping Jayden think on the lines of controlling certain strategic squares rather than merely respond on a move to move basis. They also help him think of counter moves and to know what the opponent could be thinking. These skills have carried over into other areas of his life as well. Not only is my son learning chess, but he is learning life lessons such as planning, sportsmanship, focus, and problem solving. I am extremely pleased with the way the lessons are conducted and organized. Jayden is always eager to attend the classes and enjoys spending time with the instructor NM Neil Doknjas who is very understanding of any chess issues. He is able to guide my son in the right direction, especially with the homework being so instructive and fun. JtM Chess Academy has converted my son’s interest into skill. Thanks for instilling the love of chess in him. But more importantly, thanks to the coaches for giving him confidence that he can become better at something if he keeps trying. It has been very inspiring to see him go from a beginner to a confident player. I would recommend JtM Chess Academy for anyone who is either stuck at a rating or has a specific goal in mind.
I really enjoy being part of the Juniors to Masters chess program. We have very good teaching from GM Gergely Szabo. He challenges us with chess problems and each of us discusses our solutions to the problems. Listening to everyone’s input is interesting and a very helpful exercise. I feel these lessons have helped me improve my chess skills and analysis. GM Szabo discusses the material in a clear and concise way. He always makes sure that everyone is involved in the discussions, and I feel he is a kind and supportive teacher. Victoria Doknjas does a lot of the organizing and makes sure everything runs smoothly. She takes the time to make sure each student is comfortable in the program so we can gain the most out of the lessons. I enjoy my Juniors to Masters lessons and I come away from it learning something new each time. GM Szabo and Victoria work well together to make this chess program a worthwhile experience.
The Juniors to Masters Program has been working really well to improve my chess. The lessons are structured with many interesting examples and games, and the host of the lessons (GM Gergely Szabo) explains the material in an easy to understand format. Questions are always answered thoroughly, and the training games are a useful method to practice concepts from the lessons, without having to wait for a chance to play in a real tournament. The group program also gives me a chance to learn from others' inputs, and what ideas they find during the chess lesson which can help me. It’s enjoyable, interesting, hands on (as in the student practices the concepts in training games), and in a no-pressure environment! Thanks JtM!
Juniors to Masters is one of the top chess programs available in Canada! It provides me with the opportunity to learn from a Master. The lessons by GM Szabo and FM Joshua Doknjas are very well prepared and thoroughly thought out - each critical move is well explained. GM Szabo is a very patient teacher, always encouraging us to ask questions. FM Joshua Doknjas is also a great teacher, always prompting interesting discussions. The training games are an excellent way to practice what I learned in the lesson against other players at my level. Through the JtM Leadership Development Program, I’ve been provided with many leadership and volunteer opportunities, including helping in demonstrations and helping other students along with the procedures for training games. I’ve also really enjoyed the online tournaments and arenas organized by JtM, which include many strong players. I highly recommend JtM for anyone looking to become a better player!
I first got to know JtM's chess program when they offered a special group training for the National Champions after the 2020 National Youth Active Online Chess Championships. Soon after, my dad signed me up for JtM Elite Group class taught by GM Gergely Szabo and FM Joshua Doknjas. I found the lectures clear and easy to follow, and the steady stream of training questions makes it an interactive experience. The classes have helped me a lot with my chess learning, teaching important aspects of chess, such as prophylaxis, and strong points and weaknesses, that are crucial to advanced players, as well as providing opportunities to exercise those skills in the training games after the lectures. JtM also offers another two classes for players at different levels (CFC 900-1300, and 1300-1700). I would recommend their program to intermediate and advanced chess players.
I really like how the masters give a crystal clear explanation about both games of the class and talk about how these games are related to the topic of the class. I also really like the homework of writing down the most important parts of the training games, because I can think through what I did wrong in the two games. I think in general, this is a great online masterclass with kids who love chess and some technology, because of how to challenge your opponent in chess.com and to show him or her the moves for the starting position.
I have really enjoyed working with GM Gergely Szabo. My first experience with him was when he was coaching the Canadian Women’s Olympiad team, where he genuinely helped every single team member and was very supportive all throughout the event. Later, he became my personal teacher. GM Szabo has helped me immensely with opening preparation. It’s amazing that he can answer every question I ever ask! I was also very impressed with GM Szabo’s organization and preparation for the lessons. I can say without a doubt, GM Szabo is one of the best coaches I’ve ever worked with.
I have worked with GM Gergely Szabo between 2015-2019. This collaboration helped me a lot to develop my chess skills. For example, in 2016 I achieved the IM title. Gergely is very patient with the students, trying to explain a situation in more ways. I liked that during our trainings, when solving different positions, Gergely was also trying to find the right solution and we were discussing our ideas afterwards. Gergely also helped me on the psychological part, which I consider as extremely important in sport. Gergely and I are keeping in touch regarding chess activities. I have played in one JtM tournament and I have conducted a simultaneous exhibition, where Gergely and I analyzed the games with the students afterwards. I think this JtM program is very interesting and interactive for the ones who want to improve their game.
The JtM Elite group training lectured by GM Gergely Szabo is very well structured. Each week, a new theme is covered and two training games are played. I love the group training since it helps me practice my English and participate actively in a group. I also like playing with strong players from across Canada. Through the JtM Elite group training, I got the very nice experience to play on Team Canada in the Francophonie Team Online Chess Cup.
The Juniors to Masters training program has helped me in areas I didn't even know I was lacking knowledge, until GM Gergely Szabo shed light and made the students of the group have that ''aha'' moment when you learn something new. The lessons are carefully selected in order for the student to grow on different parts of the game leading to a complete arsenal needed as a chess player. One of my favourite parts of the training is when we have to find the best continuation in a seemingly easy position, which actually turns out to be a complicated one, especially since we find out that the easy moves were not in fact working, and the position was hiding more resources than we thought. Studying different types of positions with explanations from an experienced player and coach as GM Gergely definitely helps to achieve a new better level. He is patient with students and willing to explain as in detail as needed in order for the student to grasp the information he presents. Also, he is friendly, punctual, a good quality to have as a player as well. Everyone is engaged during the lecture and has the chance to ask questions or give their thoughts on the given position. The training I got from JtM contributed to my achievement of becoming a National Master in April, 2021 for which I'm very thankful.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Juniors to Masters Chess Academy (JtM) for about a year now and I love JtM. This is because JtM has a solid structure that helps chess players meet their goals. Victoria Doknjas met with me before I started and helped me develop specific goals for the year and a plan to meet those goals (group classes, tactics and individual coaching). She checked in throughout the year and helped me work though challenges as they came up. At first I was only doing the JtM group classes and these were an amazing experience! When I started with JtM, I was in the lowest class and I quickly moved up as my skill set was improving. The group class format is really good and I haven't seen any other chess schools doing it. The group classes teach you a lesson and show strong games that implement this theme. Then you play 2 training games from a pre-chosen position one with each colour in order to practice the theme of the lesson. They also have a large variety of coaches for their group and private classes, including GM Gergely Szabo, IM Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux, FM Joshua Doknjas, FM John Doknjas, and NM Neil Doknjas. All have assisted me in improving my classical rating by almost 500 points! This is why I love working with JtM so much!
I enjoy the group lessons a lot. GM Szabo delivers the lessons in a way that is easy to understand. When he asks questions, it is interesting for me to hear the ideas of the other students in the class. I also like his answers when students ask him questions. He is calm and patient. I particularly enjoy the training games. They start from a set position which GM Szabo chooses very carefully and I find very instructive. I feel that I have improved from his lectures, and I highly recommend the Juniors to Masters chess training program!
I sat in on most of the classes in the past term which dealt with imbalances. The approach of the class is not unlike the approach that we used for a decade in Windsor with our Friday chess club. The difference is that the lecturer is Grandmaster Gergely Szabo who is a very knowledgeable chess coach and trainer as opposed to myself and the other local national masters who preside over Windsor Friday chess. Each week the topic was a different type of imbalance such as Queen vs. two pieces, Queen vs. two rooks, Queen vs. Bishop and Rook, Rook vs. Bishop, and so on. There were usually about five examples of each type of position and the lecture portion seemed to go about two hours. Grandmaster Szabo would present a position and ask for an evaluation or perhaps for candidate moves or plans for one side or the other. At the end you play a game based on the theme for the class where you play the same position as white and then as black or vice versa. The positions are usually somewhat equal with one side being easier to play even if the engines say that the evaluation is 0.00. Let me just say that I am 61 years of age and with occasionally problematic health. My rating in Canada and the U.S. is in the low 2000s. I have been over 2200 in both Canada and the U.S. My last tournament game was about 16 months ago and I decided to make the leap and play in Detroit at an American Thanksgiving weekend event, the Motor City Open in November of 2019. To make a long story short I had one stinker of a game against a FIDE master which is to be expected after such a long layoff but my other four games went as well as could be hoped for and I managed to tie for 2nd place with three FIDE masters including my student Rohan Talukdar who is pushing 2400 FIDE and 2460 CFC. I beat two higher rated players including a FIDE master and held serve against two younger players who both had pretty good tournaments. I had a half point bye in the second round because I had a class to teach on the Friday night. I do look at chess every day but a lot of it is reviewing games of players who have ratings of 400 to 1000 so not really something that would necessarily translate into good tournament prep against masters and experts. Victoria Doknjas is a very well-organized woman who has a background in project management and is a chess mother and a fairly strong chess player in her own right. She is often volunteering at premiere chess events either as head of delegation for the Canadian team or as a documenter and photographer of significant chess events in Canada or abroad. She raised three boys who are always at or near the top of the standings in every junior and adult tournament in which they participate. FM John Doknjas, FM Joshua Doknjas and NM Neil Doknjas are well known competitors in British Columbia and Canadian chess circles. Her understanding of young chess players stood her in good stead as head of delegation where she often found ways to make international events interesting and entertaining for young Canadians. She is continuing in that tradition with the Juniors to Masters program which attracts many of the most talented young Canadian chess players. I am familiar with Gergely Szabo because he has been a coach for Canadian players at various world events including World U16 Youth Olympiad, WYCC, WCCC and the Women's Olympiad and also because he came to Windsor when we had the CYCC/Canadian Open and NAYCC in 2016 and he ran a chess camp for the Windsor kids. He was also one of the visiting GMs for the CYCC where he analysed games of youngsters between rounds. He is very good natured and knowledgeable. He has always received praise and accolades from Canadian players and I have seen him work with kids very effectively. He works very well with adults as well apparently judging from my result. He offers very high level instruction with thoughtful examples which illustrate the theme he is trying to teach to his students in any particular lesson.
The Juniors to Masters group program is very helpful to me. It includes Master lectures and training games in a class. Our coach NM Neil Doknjas encourages us to ask questions and always give us clear explanations. The homework is very different because you have to think yourself playing both sides of the board. I think it’s really good training for students. And the coach always gives me feedback on the homework which is great! Also, my mom loves the way that Victoria Doknjas runs the programs. Victoria is very passionate about Chess and always thinks of new, creative ways to improve the programs. Overall, I think Juniors to Masters programs are very good for exercising the minds of chess students.
Juniors to Masters Chess Academy has helped me so much in all areas of chess. First of all, the group lessons with GM Szabo are amazing. He encourages us to ask questions, and talks about positions in an entertaining and informative way. I really enjoy listening to him analyze positions, and it has helped me a lot in my own games. FM Joshua Doknjas is also a very good teacher. After the master lecture, we play training games from a set position. This has also been extremely helpful because it has taught me to use what I learned. I also really like meeting new people through the training games. JtM also has a mentorship program, where experienced players talk to people like me about the emotional aspect of chess. WGM Maili-Jade Ouellet taught me how to not be so stressed in games, and how to recover from a loss. Last of all, special shoutout to Victoria Doknjas for being super supportive, and for all the organization in JtM :).
Juniors to Masters offers a number of opportunities including being part of the Juniors to Masters Leadership Development Program. Being part of this Leadership Team, I was assigned a JtM Student to help mentor and play training games with. I think playing with him helped him a lot, and he seems to be very focused when there are no distractions. From his games I can clearly see the improvements he's made and I was able to give direct feedback. It's a great way for him to learn and practice, and at the same time, it is a great opportunity for me to put my own chess knowledge to work to help others to improve.
My daughter Rachel has joined Juniors to Masters Chess Academy this fall. As a chess mom who doesn’t understand chess, the biggest feeling apart from her continuous improvement under the coaching of GM Gergely Szabo and other JtM In-House Masters, who Rachel has interacted with like FM Joshua Doknjas and WGM Maili-Jade Ouellet, is that JtM is a very warm and supportive organization. Chess is a stressful mental sport, and it is difficult to appreciate its complexity without personal experience. Victoria Doknjas, as the admin of JtM and also a mother of three outstanding chess players. Her unique personal experience along the chess journey of her sons has given her a deep understanding of how the mental part plays an important role on each chess game. And her emphasis on building up a stronger mental ability for all JtM students are really getting my attention. Frankly, I have never thought of how to support my daughter mentally before each big tournament. JtM opened a door for me. I have someone that I could talk to and get advice from. Chess mom is an undeniable stressful role. Every time I communicate with Victoria, she always tirelessly shares her own story and comforts me to a certain extend. Those experiences helped me understand my daughter more and understand about the game deeper, of course the psychological part. I believe that is the reason chess is loved by people all over the world. I sincerely recommend Juniors to Masters Chess Academy, where our kids could grow up not only to be a better chess player but also to be a better person.
The Juniors to Masters program has helped me improve my game. They offer an engaging, interactive, and fun course that is split into two main parts: the master lecture and the training game. The master lecture is taught mainly by GM Gergley Szabo, with the occasional lecture by FM Joshua Doknjas; they both provide an interesting and engaging environment where they encourage us to ask and answer questions so we can thoroughly understand the material that they teach. Each week we are taught different concepts which we practice in our training games which happens after the master lecture. These training games make sure you understand the concept and remember it so you can apply it in your games. Sometimes I get to play the JtM In-House Masters (FM Nicholas Vettese and NM Neil Doknjas) in the training games which is a great experience! Not only did I get to improve my game, I was also able to develop my leadership skills being a part of the JtM Leadership Development Program. Overall, I would highly recommend this program to anyone wanting to improve their game!
I've been very impressed with the quality of content provided by the Juniors to Masters Program. What I found most impressive is the program is designed to reinforce key learning concepts that I can easily apply to my games. The lecture, training games, and analysis of training games all work to drive home the concepts and make a difference in my play.
I had a great experience in the Juniors to Masters group training. It was good that each group had a technical meeting before the actual online training began, like a test run, to make sure all the students were comfortable knowing what they were expected to do. Also, the way Grandmaster Gergely Szabo teaches is very clear. I could clearly understand the lecture. I also like it how we get to practice what we learn by playing training games from a set position with a training partner. This was a great experience and fun!
I have gone through many chess courses so far. Juniors to Masters is a different experience. Many teachers teach chess as a career but GM Gergely Szabo and FM Joshua Doknjas teach chess to help others. When I enter their class every week GM Szabo and FM Joshua Doknjas encourage us to ask questions. If you're reading this and you’re a beginner that wants to try out this course and you think chess is just a game, you may be right in your perspective now. After a while, your perspective will change. Now when I play a chess game it keeps me on the edge of my chair. Is he going to take it? Is he going to develop the knight or bishop? I recommend this course to anyone who is willing to walk down this path.
Although I've only been working with GM Gergely Szabo for a very short while in the Juniors to Masters group training, I have already learned a great deal and feel that my chess game has improved dramatically. GM Szabo provides very clear instruction that is easy to understand, but contains great insight into complex theory. Since discovering chess I've enjoyed playing and learning on my own, but GM Szabo makes learning in a group setting even more enjoyable, and he is able to provide instruction for each student that is designed to help them reach their specific goals and next levels.
As a parent, I am so impressed by how much effort you have put in to ensure high efficiency of the class, as you spent so much time and effort on preparation by hosting a technical meeting beforehand to ensure no technical issues would happen during the actual training sessions. That shows how much you care about the learning result for each kid. Thank you!