
Chess Foundations
Purpose: build a reliable base for beginners and returning players. The course focuses on understanding why moves work, not only remembering rules.
Format: 8 online modules, guided explanations, short quizzes, practical exercises, and introductory game-review activities.
Suggested duration: 4 weeks, self-paced.
Core topics
- Board coordinates, legal moves, check, checkmate, and draw rules
- Piece development, king safety, center control, and basic planning
- Common tactical motifs including forks, pins, skewers, and discovered attacks
- Basic opening principles without forced memorization
- Introductory endgames and practical conversion techniques
- Simple post-game review checklist
Practical assignments
Students solve curated positions, explain candidate moves in writing, complete basic tactical drills, and review sample games using a structured worksheet.

