$20

weekly

or $160 for 8 classes

Chess for Beginners: Building on Foundations

Completed by 4 learners

Ages 8-13

Live Group Course

This beginner chess course is perfect for students who are familiar with the rules of the game and have had limited experience with basic tactics and strategy. Students will increase their knowledge while growing their passion for chess.

Joanne Foote

Average rating:

5.0

Number of reviews:

(3 reviews)

Live video meetings

1x per week, 8 weeks

4-8 learners per class

55 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

8 live meetings

7 hrs 20 mins in-class hours

Homework

1-2 hours per week. Optional homework will be provided each class but is highly encouraged if students wish to fully grasp the lesson topics and improve their chess game

Grading

Grades will not be offered but feedback is available to parents upon request at any time

Class Experience

This course is designed for students eager to improve their chess skills by learning tactics, endgame fundamentals, and introductory opening theory. This class is perfect for students who are familiar with all the rules of the game and have limited experience with basic tactics.

Throughout the course students will learn basic tactics, endgame techniques, and start to develop their opening repertoire. The classes are highly interactive and students are always encouraged to ask questions. The students will play a game every class against other students and against myself.

Learning Goals

By the end of this course students will have built on their basic tactical knowledge with more advanced tactics and checkmate patterns

Students will be more confident with basic endgame techniques

Syllabus

8 Lessons

over 8 Weeks

Lesson 1:

Discovered Attack Tactics

 Discovered Attack and Discovered Check tactics

55 mins online live lesson

Lesson 2:

Review of the basic mates

 King + Queen, 2 Rooks, King + Rook mates

55 mins online live lesson

Lesson 3:

Opening Principles + The Italian Opening

 Review of basic opening principles. Learn the moves of the Italian Opening as White

55 mins online live lesson

Lesson 4:

Back Rank Checkmate

 Learn and practise the Back Rank Checkmate pattern

55 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Pre-Requisites

Students should be familiar with all the rules of the game and how to move all the pieces. Students may have been introduced to basic tactics but this is a beginner course and in depth knowledge of any chess topics is not required.

External Resources

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

lichess.org

Sources

A lichess account is required to facilitate the classroom activities (https://lichess.org/signup). It is free to create an account, and more information regarding the use and benefits of lichess will be provided prior to the course.

Meet the teacher

Joanne Foote

Joined October, 2022

5.0

3reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Hi! I have been teaching chess for over 10 years and have taught students anywhere from 4 years old to 60, complete beginner to intermediate club player. My current students are based in Vancouver and London and range from 5-years old to adult, from complete beginner to strong club level player, and I teach private and group classes.

I believe students can always enjoy learning. I incorporate a lot of variety into my lessons, mixing lessons with games and friendly tournaments so students will never feel bored. I personalize my lessons to target each student's weakness, design opening repertoire that's suited to them, and make sure they are always having fun.

I was a competitive chess player for 10 years, winning the 2014 U14 girls Canadian Championship and twice representing Canada at the World Youth Championships. I was a member of the BC Juniors in the Vancouver Rapid League, the UBC Chess Club, and Battersea Chess Club in London. 

Outside of chess I work as a structural engineer and am a University of British Columbia graduate. I've found that lessons i've learned through chess have helped me both in logical thinking as well as applying hard work and determination to reach my goals. 

I love passing on my passion for chess to new students and seeing my students improve their skills and appreciation for the game.  See you in the classroom!

Best regards,
Joanne

FIDE 1761 | CFC 1780 | Lichess 2100