Beginner Chess

The game of chess will be taught from the very beginning – no prior experience required, and all ages are welcome. The curriculum, designed by the US Chess Center (chessctr.org/teach), is a series of 12 lessons that introduce students to the board and pieces, the rules, play in the opening, and the beginnings of tactics and strategy. Completing this course will prepare students to begin playing in chess clubs and lay the foundation for tournament competition.

Note: The lessons are progressive, so attempting to start the program after the second lesson will be difficult for beginning players. More experienced players are welcome to join later. Use the curriculum below as a guide to what interests you.

Curriculum

• Lesson 1 (Oct. 18): The Chess Board and Pawn Movement
• Lesson 2 (Nov. 1): Review of Pawns
• Lesson 3 (Nov. 15): Bishops
• Lesson 4 (Dec. 6): Rooks
• Lesson 5 (Dec. 20): Knights
• Lesson 6 (Jan. 3): The King, Check and Checkmate
• Lesson 7 (Jan. 17): Pawn Promotion and the Rule of Stalemate
• Lesson 8 (Feb. 14): Castling
• Lesson 9 (Feb. 28): Drawn Games
• Lesson 10 (Mar. 7): Forcing Checkmate
• Lesson 11 (Mar. 21): How to Open a Chess Game
• Lesson 12 (Apr. 4): Forks

Detailed Curriculum

Lesson 1 (Oct. 18): The Chess Board and Pawn Movement

• The chessboard
• Setting up the chessmen
• Using the pawns
• Student competition with the pawn game

Lesson 2 (Nov. 1): Review of Pawns

• Review of pawn rules
• Review of en passant and the pawn game
• Capture/recapture
• Strategic concepts

Lesson 3 (Nov. 15): Bishops

• The center
• Moving the bishop
• Competition with pawns and bishops

Lesson 4 (Dec. 6): Rooks

• Moving the rook
• Competition with rooks, bishops, and pawns

Lesson 5 (Dec. 20): Knights

• Moving the knight
• Playing with all men except the king and queen

Lesson 6 (Jan. 3): The King, Check and Checkmate

• Apply the rules of movement to the king
• Check and getting out of check
• Illegal (invalid) moves

Lesson 7 (Jan. 17): Pawn Promotion and the Rule of Stalemate

• Checkmate and stalemate
• Finding checkmate

Lesson 8 (Feb. 14): Castling

• How to castle
• When a player may not castle

Lesson 9 (Feb. 28): Drawn Games

• Rules of drawn games

Lesson 10 (Mar. 7): Forcing Checkmate

• King and two rooks vs. king
• King and queen vs. king

Lesson 11 (Mar. 21): How to Open a Chess Game

• Three stages of a chess game
• Three general principles
• What to do and what not to do in the opening

Lesson 12 (Apr. 4): Forks

• Understand and be able to explain what a fork is
• Be able to find forks during the game
• Plan ahead to place the opponent in positions where forks may be played