Beginner Chess Course by Nikesh K – Chess Training for All Ages

Month 1 – Fundamentals & Basics (Sessions 1–8)

Goal: Build a strong foundation in rules, moves, and basic strategies.

1. Introduction to Chess

   • Chessboard layout, coordinates (a–h, 1–8)

   • Names & initial positions of pieces

   • Movement of each piece

2. Special Moves & Rules

   • Castling

   • En Passant

   • Pawn promotion

   • Touch-move rule

3. Basic Checkmates

   • Check, checkmate, stalemate

   • 2 Rook checkmate

   • King & Queen vs King checkmate

4. Opening Principles

   • Control of the center

   • Development of pieces

   • King safety (castling early)

5. Piece Value & Exchanges

   • Relative value of pieces

   • Favorable trades

   • Hanging pieces

6. Basic Tactics (Part 1)

   • Forks

   • Pins

   • Skewers

7. Basic Tactics (Part 2)

   • Double attack

   • Discovered attack

   • Back-rank checkmate

8. Practice Games + Review

   • Guided games focusing on rules & tactics learned

Month 2 – Openings & Middle Game (Sessions 9–16)

Goal: Introduce simple openings, practice tactics, and understand planning.

9. Opening Principles in Action

   • Good vs bad openings

   • Examples: Italian Game, Four Knights

10. Common Opening Mistakes

• Moving same piece multiple times

• Early queen development

• Weak pawn moves

11. Pawn Structures

• Isolated pawns

• Doubled pawns

• Passed pawns

12. Middle Game Basics

• Importance of piece activity

• Planning (attack, defense)

• Typical middle game ideas

13. Strategy Concepts

• Open files & diagonals

• Outposts & weak squares

• Bishop pair advantage

14. Defensive Techniques

• How to defend against threats

• Trading pieces to reduce pressure

15. Tactics in Middle Game

• Sacrifices

• Combinations

• Calculation practice

16. Practice + Game Review

• Students play & analyze with coach

Month 3 – Endgames & Tournament Prep (Sessions 17–24)

Goal: Learn essential endgames, improve calculation, and play confidently.

17. King & Pawn Endgames (Part 1)

• Opposition

• Rule of the square

• Basic pawn promotion

18. King & Pawn Endgames (Part 2)

• Outside passed pawn

• Shouldering technique

19. Rook Endgames

• Lucena position

• Philidor position

• Rook activity importance

20. Other Basic Endgames

• King + Bishop + Knight mate

• King + 2 Bishops mate

21. Calculation Training

• Visualization exercises

• Short tactics puzzles

22. Playing with a Clock

• Time management basics

• Rapid games practice

23. Mini Tournament

• Students play with each other (coach supervises)

• Apply openings, tactics, and endgames learned

24. Final Review & Feedback

• Individual strengths & weaknesses

• Roadmap for further improvement (next level)
  
  Month 4 – Buffer / Reinforcement (Sessions 25–32)

  Goal: Strengthen weak areas, play more, simulate real tournament experience.

  25. Revision of Basics

  • Quick recap of piece moves, checkmates, special rules

  • Tactics puzzle session

  26. Revision of Openings

  • Students play mini-games from standard openings

  • Identify mistakes & improvements

  27. Middlegame Workshop

  • Strategy games with guided plans

  • Teacher explains “why” behind each move

  28. Endgame Workshop (Part 1)

  • Practice opposition, pawn promotions

  • Practical King + Pawn vs King exercises

  29. Endgame Workshop (Part 2)

  • Rook endgames revisited

  • Students solve endgame studies

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  ✅ Benefits of 4-month plan:

  • More practice games → stronger practical understanding

  • Students won’t feel rushed

  • Extra time for tournaments & analysis

  • Covers both theory & application