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Your chess journey
Chess becomes more rewarding as you understand more of the board. See what each stage involves, find your starting point, and choose a path that fits your goals.
Curriculum guided by NM Dilshad Mohammed · Lessons with your assigned coach
Understand your next step
These describe how a player develops, rather than six courses to buy. You can begin at any stage, revisit an idea, and progress as your understanding grows.
Choose a stage to see what learning looks like.
Six stages · Your own paceStage 01 / 06
New players who are still getting comfortable with the board and the rules.
An inviting first step into the world of chess. Discover the board, meet the pieces, and enjoy playing.
A milestone to work towardsYour first checkmate
A conversation at the board
Look at the starting position. What could moving a centre pawn help you do?
Moving the e-pawn or d-pawn can claim space in the centre and open a path for a bishop. First learn to make a legal move, then explain what it changes.
You can make legal moves, recognise check, and finish a game with a little help.
Your coach reviews readiness with you; progress follows experience and practice.Stage 02 / 06
Players who know the rules and want to stop overlooking simple threats.
Replace guesswork with good habits. Learn to spot threats, keep pieces safe, and make purposeful moves.
A milestone to work towardsSpotting your first tactical opportunity
A conversation at the board
Black’s knight on f6 attacks the white pawn on e4. How could White protect it while developing?
Nc3 develops a knight and protects e4. A useful habit is to check the opponent’s threat, then look for a move that solves more than one problem.
You check your opponent’s threats and can explain a simple tactic before playing it.
Your coach reviews readiness with you; progress follows experience and practice.Stage 03 / 06
Players who spot basic tactics and are ready to compare moves and form plans.
See possibilities, compare candidate moves, and connect tactics with a plan. Thinking becomes part of every move.
A milestone to work towardsExplaining a plan in your own words
A conversation at the board
White has established pawns on c4 and d4. Which developing move would help prepare kingside castling?
Nf3 develops the king’s knight and supports the centre. Castling will also require the bishop on f1 to move and the usual castling conditions to be met.
You can compare candidate moves, describe a plan, and calculate a short variation.
Your coach reviews readiness with you; progress follows experience and practice.Stage 04 / 06
Players preparing to try timed games or a school, club, or rated tournament.
Take your learning into a timed game. Prepare thoughtfully, manage the clock, and learn from every result.
A milestone to work towardsYour first tournament experience
A conversation at the board
In this Sicilian position, how would you use your thinking time before choosing a move?
Check immediate threats, identify candidate moves, and spend more time where the decision is difficult. There is no single move to memorise here: practise a repeatable thinking process.
You can use a clock, record your game when required, and review a result constructively.
Your coach reviews readiness with you; progress follows experience and practice.Stage 05 / 06
Competitive players building a repertoire and working on recurring weaknesses.
Explore complex positions with more clarity. Connect opening preparation, deeper calculation, and endgame technique.
A milestone to work towardsBuilding your own opening preparation
A conversation at the board
Before consulting an engine, which of White’s pieces would you look to improve?
The knight on b1 has not developed. Consider how to bring it into the game and compare the plans that follow. Write down your reasoning before checking analysis tools.
You can annotate a game, connect moves to plans, and identify a specific area to study.
Your coach reviews readiness with you; progress follows experience and practice.Stage 06 / 06
Experienced players ready to organise their own study with a coach’s guidance.
Become a more independent player. Understand your strengths, set meaningful goals, and keep growing on your own terms.
A milestone to work towardsCreating your own study plan
A conversation at the board
With White to move, how would you investigate this king-and-pawn ending?
Start by calculating king moves, the opponent’s replies, and the pawn’s route to promotion. Compare the lines on a board, then use a coach or analysis tool to check your conclusions.
You set a study goal, choose useful material, and review whether your routine is helping.
Your coach reviews readiness with you; progress follows experience and practice.Start where you are. Return to a stage whenever it helps.
The stages describe learning goals; they do not promise a rating, a tournament result, or a chess title. “Master your game” means becoming more independent in your learning.
Turn the path into a programme
Our four teaching levels bring players with similar experience together in groups of 4–6 students. Placement considers your thinking and game experience, as well as any rating.
Learn the rules, enjoy mini games, and build confidence with the pieces.
View the curriculum LEVEL 02Recognise threats and tactical patterns, and make safer decisions.
View the curriculum LEVEL 03Compare candidate moves, build plans, and understand essential endgames.
View the curriculum LEVEL 04Connect preparation, calculation, and game analysis with your goals.
View the curriculumThe habit behind progress
A new concept matters when you can use it. Coaching, games, and a little focused practice help ideas become habits at the board.
A coach introduces a position, asks questions, and explains the thinking behind the moves.
Discuss choices, solve related positions, and practise the idea in a game.
Revisit the important moments. Explain what you saw and what you would change.
Use focused practice between lessons, then return to the idea with better questions.
Try a little chess today
A few puzzles are a useful place to practise looking carefully before moving.
Make the game your own
Goals can change. A first tournament, a thoughtful hobby, and deeper study are all worthwhile directions. Your learning plan can change with you.
Enjoy puzzles, friendly games, and the satisfaction of finding a new idea. Build a rewarding hobby at a comfortable pace.
Explore group classesPrepare for a school, club, or tournament setting. Learn from the experience and decide what you want to work on next.
Explore tournament preparationWork on a repertoire, analyse your games, and build a focused study routine around your strengths and the gaps you want to address.
Explore private coachingLet’s find your next move
Tell us a little about the student, their experience, and their goals. We’ll help you choose a starting level and a suitable coaching format.