Ask a grandmaster
A move in a course that doesn't make sense? One of your games and you can't tell where it went wrong? Ask a GM and get an answer within 48 business hours, with the line to play through on the board.
From question to answer, without leaving the lesson
It all happens on each lesson's board: the move, your idea and the answer stay together.
- Step 1
Stop on the move
In the games tab of any lesson, go to the move you don't understand.
- Step 2
Try your idea
Move the pieces to see what another move would do. The game itself doesn't change, and the engine can analyse with you.
- Step 3
Ask
Write your question in your own words. The line you tried travels with it, so the master sees exactly what you had in mind.
- Step 4
The GM answers
Within 48 business hours, with a line to play through on the board. We let you know by email.
What the engine doesn't explain
The engine tells you what to play; a grandmaster tells you why. Some questions you can ask:
“Why not 14…Bf5?”
A move you considered that isn't in the game: what's wrong with it and why the other one is better.
“What's the plan here?”
What to do in a quiet position, when there's nothing concrete to calculate.
“Where did this game go wrong?”
In one of your games: the moment it slipped away, and what you should have played.
“The engine says +2 — why?”
The idea behind a number you can't understand by staring at the screen.
Your own games too
Upload one of your games —the PGN that Lichess, Chess.com or ChessBase export— and ask about any move, just like in a lesson.
- You upload it from “Ask the GM”, in your account menu, by pasting the text or choosing the file.
- It's private: only you and the masters see it.
- You can ask in Spanish, English or Portuguese: the question and the answer are translated automatically.
AcademiaTal's masters
Questions are answered by masters who teach on the site.
- See their profile
GM Andrés Rodríguez Vila
All levels
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask a chess grandmaster questions online?
Yes. It comes with The Initiative and The Magic: you ask a GM about any move in the courses or in your own games, from each lesson's board, and get an answer within 48 business hours.
How long does an answer take?
Less than 48 business hours, counted Monday to Friday. When it arrives we email you, and you'll find it on the same move, with its line.
How many questions can I ask?
For now there's no limit: ask as much as you need.
Can I send my own games?
Yes. From “Ask the GM”, in your account menu, you upload the PGN of one of your games and ask about any move. Only you and the masters see it.
Who sees my question?
In a course game, the answer stays on that move for the other students in the course, without your name. In your own games, only you and the masters.
Which languages can I ask in?
Spanish, English or Portuguese. The question and the answer are translated automatically into the other two.
What if I bought a single course?
You see the answers that course already has. To ask your own questions, “Ask the GM” comes with The Initiative and The Magic.
Got a question? Ask the GM
It comes with The Initiative and The Magic, with no limit on questions.