Rookie

Dabbler

Beginner

Competent

Intermediate

Advanced

1. Rookie (New | Rating: 0)

Who it’s for:

Absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of chess, ready to explore the game for the first time.

Program Focus:
  • Introduction to chess basics : how the pieces move, board setup, and fundamental rules
  • Understanding chess notation.
  • Simple tactics like check, checkmate, and basic piece exchanges.

Format:
  • Interactive lessons, games, and exercises to build familiarity with the game.
  • Hands-on practice with guided play.

2. Dabbler (Basic | Rating: 0)

Who it’s for:

Players who know how to play but want to improve their basic understanding of strategy and tactics.

Program Focus:
  • Basic opening principles (e.g., controlling the center, piece development).
  • Introduction to tactics such as forks, pins, and discovered attacks.
  • Simple endgames (e.g., king and pawn vs. king, basic checkmate patterns).

Format:
  • Short lessons with plenty of practice games and feedback.
  • Puzzles and exercises to reinforce tactical understanding.

3. Beginner-1 (Rating: 0–1400)

Who it’s for:

Players with a basic understanding of chess, aiming to improve consistency in their play and get their initial rating.

Program Focus:
  • Opening theory for common openings like the Italian Game, Ruy Lopez, Sicilian and Queen’s Gambit.
  • More advanced tactics, including skewers, sacrifices, and mating nets.
  • Introduction to positional play : how to plan in the middle game.

Format:
  • Group classes with regular quizzes and puzzle solving.
  • Weekly practice games with analysis from coaches.

4. Beginner-2 (Rating: 1400–1500)

Who it’s for:

Players starting to develop more structured plans in their games and seeking improvement in both tactical and positional play.

Program Focus:
  • Opening preparation and understanding opening traps.
  • Key middle-game concepts: space, material, and initiative.
  • Advanced endgames: converting small advantages into wins.

Format:
  • Focused training on middle-game strategy and endgame techniques.
  • Regular games with peers, followed by analysis.

5. Competent (Rating: 1500–1700)

Who it’s for:

Players who are developing more advanced strategies and are ready to begin competing at a higher level.

Program Focus:
  • Mastering a core set of openings and responses.
  • Deeper middle-game strategy: pawn structures, weak squares, and attacking plans.
  • Advanced tactics and defending difficult positions.

Format:
  • Tactical drills, deeper analysis of games, and guided tournament preparation.
  • Focused feedback on individual strengths and weaknesses.

6. Intermediate (Rating: 1700–2000)

Who it’s for:

Serious players looking to sharpen their competitive edge and improve rating performance in tournaments.

Program Focus:
  • Detailed opening repertoire: preparation for tournament-level play.
  • In-depth middle-game strategies involving positional play, pawn breaks, and exchanges.
  • Advanced endgame theory: major piece endgames, queen and pawn, and advanced pawn play.

Format:
  • Personalized coaching with focus on specific areas of improvement.
  • Participation in competitive matches with analysis from coaches.

7. Advanced (Rating: 2000+)

Who it’s for:

Experienced and competitive players aiming to refine their technique and prepare for high-level competition.

Program Focus:
  • Preparation for high-level tournaments: fine-tuning openings, middle-game, and endgame play.
  • Advanced positional understanding: prophylaxis, creating imbalances, and dynamic advantages.
  • Deep analysis of classical games, including world champions’ strategies.

Format:
  • Coaching with top-level coaches.
  • Advanced theoretical discussions and participation in high-level tournaments.