Our Chess Courses
At Vidyamandir Chess Academy, our training programs are carefully designed to take students step by step from the basics of chess to advanced tournament-level skills. Each level has a well-defined syllabus, following internationally recognized methods (Chess Course Books & Step Method Workbooks).
01
Beginner Level (Rating 500–999)
Duration: 4–6 Months
Books: Chess Course Book 1 | Step Method Workbook 1
Key Topics:
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Chessboard & piece movement
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Pawn game, checks & getting out of check
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Special moves (Castling, En passant, Promotion)
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Algebraic notation & clock handling
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Basic attacking & defending principles
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Fundamental tactical themes (Pin, Double Attack)
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Checkmate patterns (Rook & Queen checkmates)
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Opening principles & types of draws
Outcome: Students build a strong foundation and can confidently play complete games.
02
Strong Beginner Level (Rating 1000–1199)
Duration: 6–12 Months
Books: Chess Course Book 2 & 3 | Step Method Workbook 2 & 3
Key Topics:
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Middle game principles
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Discovered attack, Double check, Knight fork, Skewer
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Eliminating defense, back-rank mate, endgame basics
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Attacking pinned pieces, thematic sacrifices
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Tactical & checkmate puzzles, forced variations
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Basic chess openings
Outcome: Students begin tactical calculations and understand key attacking and defensive motifs.
03
Intermediate Level (Rating 1200–1399)
Duration: 12–18 Months
Books: Chess Course Book 4, 5, 6 | Step Method Workbook 4, 5, 6
Key Topics:
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Advanced tactical themes (Deflection, Overloading, Zwischenzug, X-Ray)
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Strategic ideas (passed pawns, open files, strong squares)
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Middlegame planning and attacking the castled king
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Advanced defensive techniques
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Endgames: pawn vs minor pieces, bishop endings, fortress structures
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Drawing methods (perpetual check, insufficient material, wrong bishop)
Outcome: Students gain a solid tactical base, start positional understanding, and are ready for tournaments.
04
Intermediate Level 1 (Rating 1400–1599)
Duration: 18–24 Months
Books: The Fundamentals 1, 2, 3
Key Topics:
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Mating motifs & combinations
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Centralization, open files, pawn structures
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Tactical combinations (sacrifices, windmill, traps)
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Simple & complex endgames
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Strategic motifs (outposts, pawn wedges, weak points)
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Final tests & practical tournament situations
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Outcome: Students strengthen their calculation skills, learn structured opening play, and improve tournament results.
05
Advanced Level (Rating 1600–1799)
Duration: 24–36 Months
Books: Beyond the Basics 1, 2, 3
Key Topics:
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Advanced attacking techniques & strategic planning
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Candidate moves, positional evaluation, prophylaxis
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Opening repertoire development (1.e4 e5, French, vs 1.d4)
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Endgame mastery (pawn endings, rook endings, bishop pair, blockades)
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Zugzwang, deflection, Greek gift, destroying castled positions
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Calculating variations & improving positional play
Outcome: Students prepare for FIDE-rated tournaments, build solid opening repertoires, and deepen strategic understanding.
06
Expert Level (Rating 1800–1999)
Duration: 36–48 Months
Books: Chess Evaluation 1, 2, 3
Key Topics:
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High-level strategic play & evaluation
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Advanced pawn structures (isolated, hanging, backward)
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Mastering minor piece play (Bishop vs Knight, Rook vs Minor)
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Opening repertoires (1.d4 systems, English, Indian defenses)
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Complex endgames, prophylaxis, initiative, minority attacks
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Pro-level tactics, fortresses, transition to endings, candidate moves
Outcome: Students are ready to compete at state, national, and FIDE events, aiming for higher ratings and titles.
