


Step 1 classes starting from
Thursday 19th & Saturday 21st May 2022
Thursdays starting 19th May from 5pm - 6pm
OR
Saturdays starting 21st May from 9:30am - 10:30am
Click below for Course Registration
Chess Courses for Juniors aged 5-16
Learning Chess: Levels 1 to 4
The design of each of the levels is playful. Each level is designed in such a way as to make it possible for children to become fond of Chess. You can be a complete beginner or already know the moves and all the basics, each of the 3 levels will fit your individual needs with a course designed to improve your skills even more.
LOCATION:
Classes are held weekly at the:
'Gardenia Court'
Apartment 3A
Sqaq Il-Hofra
Gharghur GHR 1310
Mobile: 79007001
DATES & TIMES:
Please send an email to markgfleri@gmail.com 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 Level 2 and 3 classes please contact the club directly on 79007001.
LESSON STRUCTURE (Please scroll further down the page for course content)
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Each of the steps are made up of 35 lessons with each lesson being 60 minutes in duration. The first 30-40 minutes of the class will consist of interactive instruction followed by 20 minutes dedicated to hands-on chess practice with other students.
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Students will be given homework worksheets at the end of certain lessons which they will be expected to complete by the following lesson.
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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 35 lessons and will be covered over a period of 8-9 months (lesson will stop and continuing according to Government/Private/Church school holidays.
€10 per lesson for 60 minutes. Sibling price - €7.50
Lessons can be paid by cash or revolut.
NOTE: It is advised that all students new to chess and beginners start from Level 1 as the levels 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.
On completion of Step Courses


LEVEL 1 - BEGINNER COURSE
In the first level, the elementary knowledge is acquired which every successful chess player needs. If you are a complete beginner it is recommended that you start with Level 1 - Beginner Chess Course. 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: 35 weeks
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The chessboard and pieces
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How the pieces move
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Special moves
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The life of a chess king
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Mate in one move
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Check and getting out of check
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Mate by a queen
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Mate by two bishops
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Basic mate configurations
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Introduction to chess openings
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Introduction to middlegames
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How a game can end
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Combination basics
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The sacrifice
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The deflection
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The decoy
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The pin and the skewer
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Typical combinations 1
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Typical combinations 2
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Development tales
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The safety of the king
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The center
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Activity
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Pawn structures
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Introduction to chess endgames
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The basics of pawn endgames 1
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The basics of pawn endgames 2
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The basics of rook endgames
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The basics of knight endgames
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The basics of bishop endgames
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The basics of queen endgames
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Open positions
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Closed positions
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Semi-open positions
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Gambits
LEVEL 2 - INTERMEDIATE COURSE
The second level follows on from Level 1 and 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: 35 weeks
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The weakness of the bank rank
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Principles of attacking 1
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Principles of attacking 2
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The king left in the center
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Castling to opposite sides
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Development advantage
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Elimination of the defense
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Space advantage
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Positioning the pieces
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Weak squares
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Pawn weaknesses
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The bishops in the middlegame
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The knights in the middlegame
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A passed pawn in the middlegame
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The rooks in the middlegame
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The queen in the middlegame
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Exchanging pieces
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Closed centers
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Open centers
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Fixed centers
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Mobile centers
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Evaluating the position
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Planning
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Unexpected moves
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Giving perpetual check
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Overloaded pieces
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The clearance
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Opening preparation
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Passed pawns in the endgame
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Advanced pawn endgames 1
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Advanced pawn endgames 2
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Advanced rook endgames
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Advanced queen endgames
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Mate by a bishop and a knight
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Endgame tactics
LEVEL 3 - ADVANCED COURSE
In the third level you which follows on from Level 2 yo will learn about several kinds of attacks, sacrifices, planning, how to calculate and more detail on endgames.
Duration: 35 weeks
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Zugzwang
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Blocking
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Using pins
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Using deflections
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Using decoys
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Delivering discovered attacks
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Delivering discovered checks
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The X-ray attack
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Incorrect combination
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A knight against a bishop in the middlegame
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Winning with activity
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Opposite coloured bishops in the middlegame
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Intuitive sacrifices
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Advanced planning
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Hanging pawns
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Active defense, counterplay
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Variation calculation 1
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Variation calculation 2
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Taking a risk
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Fighting for the initiative
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Destructive sacrifices
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Breaking through in the center
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The minority attack
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Exchange sacrifices
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Pawn endgames - pawn break
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Pawn endgames - reverse tempo
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Pawn endgames - defense
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A knight against a bishop in the endgame
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Rook endgames - A rook against a pawn 1
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Rook endgames - A rook against a pawn 2
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Rook endgames - Frontal assault and activity
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Simplifying the position
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Never give up to early
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Selected combinations
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Chess compositions, studies