Discovery Chess: Coaching / Mid - High Intermediate Players

From the coach!! 

This class is different from my regular classes in that I help students identity their own chess goals and train them for skilled playing. It is a customized learning experience that begins at a mid - high intermediate level. There is homework! Not for new chess players or chess players who are still just exploring chess. This class is for players who want to put in a little extra work and time outside of class. 

What differentiates this class is the individualized learning plans which are helpful for competitive minded players, and only effective when the student uses them. Each student will use a high-quality downloadable guide book for everyone’s involvement, organization, and engagement.

There are some points to consider in determining if this will be the right fit:

> Weekly Homework
Students will have age-appropriate and school-day conscious homework to complete before class. Mainly puzzles and skills practice spending roughly 25 -30 min per week; these will be ungraded, but real-time game play will be replaced with in-class study time if they were not able to complete the task outside of class. (Ages 7 -12)

> Application and Assessment
The expectation is application of the lessons each week and striving for measurable milestones that will be checked often. We will have a concluding live Saturday tournament at the end of 10 weeks, rated, and viewable games by families with tangible rewards sent to all participants, including trophies, ribbons, and certificates. 

> Lichess Proficiency
Lichess is like our curriculum, our digital textbook, and knowing how to navigate this resource independently is important. Beyond the occasional support, students will be expected to navigate the features and areas that we use in class. 

Classroom guidelines are we come to class prepared and remain on task--even after a long day at school. 

This class will be for players who seriously want to get better and watch themselves arrive at the point where they can or are very close to beating mom and dad or family member. Each player will work towards increasing their overall chess rating and becoming a recognized member of the US Chess Federation, and be able to play in scholastic rated chess events. 

Quirky Things: 

- We play other class games that have absolutely nothing to do with chess: Races, Competitions, Would You Rather, Memory Games and Brain Teasers... (or do they?)!


Topics covered - subject to mild modification based on the group dynamics:

High Intermediate  (Understands Complex Chess Strategy. High Win Rate. Some Tournament Play)

Week 1: Making sure our pieces work well together + In depth focus on the three phases of the chess game
Week 2: Learning and identifying specific openings and choosing our own opening theory
Week 3: 10 most common tactics and choosing our own tactical theory
Week 4: Mastering Basic Checkmates and choosing our own endgame theory
Week 5: Playing our Opening, Middle, and Endgame Live
Week 6: Game Analysis and Study. 
Week 7: Flex Skills
Week 8: Flex Skills
Week 9: Rated Tournament Prep
Week 10: Rated Tournament Prep


Mid Intermediate (Understands Chess Strategy. Medium Win Rate. Some Tournament Play)

Week 1:  Making sure our pieces work well together + Learning how to use chess language 
Week 2:  Introduction to the three phases of the chess game
Week 3: Learning a more confident way to start our chess game 
Week 4: Learning 3 powerful opening games
Week 5: Introduction to tactics: double attack, fork, pin, skewer, hanging pieces
Week 6: Learning 3 powerful checkmates 
Week 7: Flex Skills
Week 8: Flex Skills
Week 9: Rated Tournament Prep
Week 10: Rated Tournament Prep

Vision Trainer and Puzzles will be completed weekly.

Students at this level of chess are simply eager to play with others, and learn how to win their games. They have working knowledge of common chess topics having been exposed through various learning environments, including school, clubs, online classrooms, apps, as well as from parents and family members who have introduced them to the game. They also have an understanding of chess strategy. 

This class is not for students who are brand new to chess. Students enrolling in this class can play a game towards checkmate, and have a strong knowledge of the pieces and how they move; they also know the objective of the game.