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$17

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or $82 for all content
Class

Chess Explorers: Introduction for Beginners

Completed by 5 learners
Ages 10-15
Self-Paced Course
In this 5 weeks semester course, we will cover all the basics to lay a strong foundation for tactics and strategies to kickstart your chess journey.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(215 reviews)

21 pre-recorded lessons
5 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content

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Your learner can start learning when they want and progress at the speed that works best for them.
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Access course material for a full year.
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What's included

21 pre-recorded lessons
5 weeks
of teacher support
1 year access
to the content
Homework
1-2 hours per week. Each week, homework will vary to keep the learning experience engaging and interactive. Students will have free practice opportunities to familiarize themselves with each piece and reinforce their understanding. There will be puzzle practice for every lesson, where students can both solve puzzles and create their own! This encourages creativity and critical thinking. Students will also have the option to submit their free practice work for individual analysis and feedback, helping them refine their skills and gain personalized insights. Finally you can always request additional activities and I will tailor them depending on the student's progress.
Assessment
Unlike other homework activities and free practices, I will also provide exercises where answers will not be available immediately for the students. Completion of these assessment exercises will give the student a good idea about their mastery of the subject. This will allow me to either send more tailored education content and tools as we progress.

Class Experience

Welcome to Chess Explorers, where young minds embark on an exciting journey into the fascinating world of chess! This 5-week asynchronous class is designed to introduce children to the fundamental concepts and strategies of chess while fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and sportsmanship. Whether your child is a complete beginner or has some prior chess experience, this class is the perfect opportunity for them to become confident chess players.

Course Overview:
Week 1: Laying the Foundation
•	Basic rules of the game and etiquette for starting: Learn the names of the pieces, the proper manners and behavior when starting a game of chess.
•	Introducing the chessboard: Learn how the chessboard is set up and understand its importance in the game.
•	Time and space in chess: Explore the concept of time management and spatial awareness on the chessboard.
•	The notation of the game: Acquire the ability to read and write chess notation, an essential tool for recording and analyzing games.


Week 2: Unveiling the Chess Pieces and Their Powers
•	Introducing each chess piece: Dive into the unique abilities and movements of each chess piece, from pawns to kings and queens.
•	The value system of each chess piece: Understand the relative importance of each piece and how to make strategic decisions based on their value.

Week 3: Mastering the Basics
•	Exceptions: Discover the special rules of chess, including castling and en passant. 
•	The goal of the game: checkmate! Learn the ultimate objective of chess and how to achieve victory.
•	What makes a draw? Explore different scenarios and conditions that can lead to a draw in chess.

Week 4: Understanding Offenses and Defences
•	What is an attack? Important things to consider when capturing and trading pieces 
•	Protection: The King and the Rest 
•	Basic checkmate patterns and common defences options 

Week 5: Avoiding Common Opening Straps 
•	The structure of the game: Understand the three stages of a chess game—the opening, mid-game, and endgame—and their respective strategies.
•	Visualization and calculation in chess: Develop visualization and calculation skills to plan moves ahead and analyze different positions.
•	Beginner positions to avoid: Identify common pitfalls and positions to avoid falling into as a beginner.


While this is a self-paced class, I can be available on Outschool to help students set up their game online and if they need extra help. I encourage everyone to practice, experiment and have fun outside of the puzzle practice contained within this course. In addition to puzzle practice and other activities, I will be even able to schedule live games or live session on Zoom for analysis of the games. 

Please don't hesitate to send any questions. 

Warmly, 
Louisa

Learning Goals

Students will learn all the basics of the chess game and be able to apply a full game
Student will develop problem solving skills

Syllabus

5 Units
21 Lessons
over 5 Weeks
Unit 1: Laying the Foundation
Lesson 1:
Basic Rules and Etiquettes
 This is an introduction to the basic rules of the game and etiquette for starting: Learn the names of the pieces, the proper manners and behavior when starting a game of chess. 
Lesson 2:
The Chessboard, Space and Time
 In this lesson, let's introduce the chessboard and explorethe concept of time management and spatial awareness on the chessboard. 
Lesson 3:
Chess Notation
 In this lesson, let's acquire the ability to read and write chess notation, an essential tool for recording and analyzing games. 
1 assignment
Lesson 4:
Notation Practice
 Some Practice! Next week, let's unveiling the chess pieces and their power 
1 assignment

Other Details

Parental Guidance
You can create a free account on chess.com monitored by the parents.
Pre-Requisites
Students should have enough eLiteracy to navigate the Google Classroom.
Supply List
It is strongly recommended students have a physical chess board so that they are not limited to the online format.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Meet the teacher

Joined July, 2020
5.0
215reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have been teaching chess for four years, offering both live chess clubs and self-paced classes to accommodate students with different learning preferences and schedules. 

My passion for chess began at a young age and I had the chance to participate in tournaments and ultimately representing my country in international competitions. These experiences have given me deep insight into the game, from beginner-level strategies to more advanced tournament play. 

Since I have stopped playing competitively, I am dedicating my time to become a better educator and conduct research in educational psychology. Today, my goal is to make chess enjoyable and accessible to all students, whether they are learning for fun or aspiring to compete at a higher level.

Reviews

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