Step 1 Classes starting from January 2021
Monday 6th January 4:30pm - 6pm or Friday 8th January 4:30pm - 6pm
Chess Courses for Juniors aged 5-18
Learning Chess Step by Step (Steps 1-3)
This learning System is the officially acknowledged method by the Dutch Chess Federation.
This system is also actively encouraged by the Malta Chess Federation.
All students are welcome to attend. Applications forms for chess courses can be download from here.
LOCATION:
Classes are held weekly at the:
Swieqi Chess Club
Triq Josef Kalleya
Swieqi SWQ 3555
Landline: 27310375
Mobile: 79007001
DATES & TIMES:
Please send an email to to find out when the next courses will
be taking place.
Courses will only take place if there are a minimum of 4 students per class.
For Step 2 and 3 classes please contact the club directly on 79007001.
COVID-19 MEASURES:
Due to the COVID-19 virus the following measures have been put into place.
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There shall be no more than 8 students per class.
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All students (including instructor) shall wear a face mask at all times during the lesson.
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Temperature readings shall be taken and recorded. Any student with a temperature reading of 37.2 or above shall not be allowed to attend the lesson.
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Hand sanitizer shall be used upon entering the class.
LESSON STRUCTURE (Please scroll further down the page for course content)
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Each of the steps are made up of 24 lessons with each lesson being 90 minutes in duration. The first 30-40 minutes of the class will consist of interactive instruction followed by 20 minutes of tactic puzzles for students to solve with the remainder of the class being dedicated to hands-on chess practice with other students.
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Students will be given homework worksheets at the end of every lesson which they will be expected to complete by the following lesson. Homework's are made up of a number of tactical puzzles and homework's can be downloaded from the website in PDF format.
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An assessment will be given in the last lesson comprising of a number of tactical puzzles covering all subject areas.
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A certificate of completion along with a medal will be awarded to each student provided they have an attendance rate of 80%.
COST:
Each Step course is comprised of 24 lessons and will be covered over a period of 6 months (lesson will stop and continuing according to Government/Private/Church school holidays.
SWIEQI CLUB JUNIOR MEMBER PRICES
Option 1: €125 whole course fee Sibling price - €100 whole course fee (per child).
Option 2: €7 per lesson of 90 minutes. Sibling price - €5 per 90 minutes (per child).
NON-MEMBER JUNIOR PRICES
Option 1: €160 whole course fee Sibling price - €135 whole course fee (per child)
Option 2: €10 per lesson for 90 minutes. Sibling price - €7 per 90 minutes (per child).
NOTE: It is advised that all students new to chess and beginners start from Step 1 as the steps follow on from each other. If a student does not fully understand the concepts that are covered in Step 1 they may have difficulty following the remainder of the steps.
Click below for Course Registration
Click below for Membership Registration
On completion of Step Courses


STEP 1: In the first step, the elementary knowledge is acquired which every successful chess player needs. The early stages of the course thus present easily comprehensible steps and exercises, which are immediately assimilated through play. In addition, the course is complemented by a lot of new activities for learning and practice.
Duration: 24 weeks
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The board and pieces
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The way the pieces of move
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Attacking and capturing
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The pawn
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Defending
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Check and getting out of check
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Mate in one (1)
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Mate in one (2)
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Castling
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The advantageous exchange
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The twofold attack
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Drawing
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Mating with the queen
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The pawn: capturing en passant
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The notation Advanced Lessons
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Winning material
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Defending
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Mate
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Route planner
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Defending against mate
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Draw
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Planning mate
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The passed pawn
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Practical Assessment
STEP 2: The second step is about the basic rules of tactics and positional play. You will learn many attacking patterns and techniques to win material. Many built-in games and exercises will help you with this.
Duration: 24 weeks
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Activity and vulnerability
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Double attack with the queen
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The pin
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Eliminating the defender
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The golden rules
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Mate in two moves
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The target: a square
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Double attack with the knight
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Mating with a rook
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Double attack: KRB pawn
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Discovered attack
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Defending against mate
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Short notation Advanced Lessons
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Mate
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Vulnerability in the opening
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Defending
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Route planner
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Planning mate
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Stalemate
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Gaining material
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Playing rules
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Extra Exercises - 1
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Extra Exercises - 2
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Practical Assessment
STEP 3: In the third step you will learn the basics about openings and fundamental endgames, followed by an introduction to planning and further work on tactics.
Duration: 24 weeks
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Finishing the opening
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Discovered and double attack
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Attacking a pinned piece
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Mate
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Pawn endings: the square of the queen
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Eliminating the defender
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Defend against tactics
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Mini-plans
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Draw
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X-ray
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The opening
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Pinned pieces
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Mobility
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Key squares
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Threats Advanced Lessons
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The intermediate move
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Pinning
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Route planner
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Eliminating the defender
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Pawn endings
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Defending against mate
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Discovered attacks
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Chess problems
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Practical Assessment