What's included
1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
US Grade 6 - 8
Beginner - Intermediate Level
♟️ This is an ongoing club for *Middle School* aged learners to practice playing chess in a friendly and mildly competitive environment. All skill levels are welcome! We have a solid mix of beginner and intermediate players in most classes. 🤔 Class Experience - Top of the Hour: Welcome to new members and sharing from experienced members. - First ten to twenty minutes: Discuss opening, mid-game, or end-game strategies, and practice puzzles. - By about quarter after the hour we have generally settled into a comfortable rhythm of playing chess, discussing moves taken, and analyzing each other's strategies. Most groups are a pleasant mix of chess discussion and social conversation about recent movies, comics, favorite books, and gaming. 👑 If you'd like to join an advanced class or one which is more quiet to allow for careful thinking, please message me for recommendations of which days/times will fit your needs. Learning Schedule We explore chess strategies in a fun way according to the needs of the learners in each class. I've got a full schedule of planned lessons for all of 2025 listed in the Learning Goals section. Common Discussion topics: - Suggest a **Chess Opening** you would like to share or learn about. - Name a **pro chess player** you're excited to talk about. Be prepared to share what you're most enthusiastic or curious about related to their career. - **Share** a chess book, guide, or article that has been helpful. - Share the **PGN** of an interesting chess game that you want to explore. - Post the FEN or PGN of a **Midgame Position** you want to discuss. - Ask about an **Endgame** position you'd like to study. Chess Formats played: - 1 v 1 Untimed - 1-3 Minute Bullet - 5 Minute Arena - 20 Minute direct challenges. - Everyone against Linke group vote chess - Team Chess - Four-Player Chess - King of the Hill - Bughouse - Crazyhouse
Learning Goals
January
Openings: Italian Game
Midgame: Attacking the F File
Midgame: Clearance
Endgame: Pawn Endgame
February
Openings: Queen's Gambit
Midgame: Capture the Defender
Midgame: Defensive Move
Endgame: Knight Endgame
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Students have the option of playing chess using Chess.com or Lichess.org.
- All Lichess games are anonymous unless you choose to create an account for your child. Parents are responsible for their child's Lichess account if you choose to make one.
- All Chess.com games require sharing a registered username. Parents are responsible for their child's Chess.com account if you choose to make one.
Pre-Requisites
Learners should be familiar with using a web browser and zoom.
Please make sure that learners have access to Chess.com (account required) or Lichess.org (account optional).
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
I will use the following external resources to enrich your child's learning experience:
- andrewlinke.com/chess for basic chess lessons and GIFs of how to play chess.
- chess.com articles, puzzles, and interactive chess lessons.
- lichess.org for articles, puzzles, and interactive chess lessons.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Virginia Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
I have been teaching students how to play chess and managing middle school chess clubs for over a decade, with a special focus on gifted learners, students on the autism spectrum, and providing a space for LQBTQ+ students.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$13
weekly1x per week
50 min
Completed by 751 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-14
2-10 learners per class