Development Class

Once students know the basic rules and concepts, they are ready for the Development Class.

The following is a term by term guide to what's covered.

Term 1

Students will learn the fundamentals of how to finish off their opponents when they have a winning position. The following endgames will be covered:

  • King and Queen versus King.

  • King and Rook versus King.

  • King, Rook and Pawns versus King and Pawns.

  • King, Knight and Pawns versus King and Pawns.

  • King, Bishop and Pawns versus King and Pawns.

  • King and many Pawns versus King and fewer Pawns.

  • Opposite-coloured Bishop endgames.

In addition to this, students will complete weekly quizzes and homework on the following Topics:

  • Chess Notation

  • Basic Rook Checkmates

  • Basic Bishop Checkmates

  • Basic Queen Checkmates

  • Basic Knight Checkmates

  • Basic Pawn Checkmates

Lastly, a tournament is run over the entire term, with one serious game played per week under tournament conditions.

Term 2

Students will learn the fundamental elements of chess positions. The following topics will be covered:

  • Material.

  • Central Control.

  • King Safety.

  • Development.

  • Open files and diagonals.

  • Pawn Structure.

  • Weak Squares.

In addition to this, students will complete weekly quizzes and homework on the following Topics:

  • Chess Notation.

  • Assorted Checkmates - Easy.

  • Assorted Checkmates - Medium.

  • Assorted Checkmates - Difficult.

Lastly, a tournament is run over the entire term, with one serious game played per week under tournament conditions.

Term 3

Students will learn the mechanics of basic chess tactics. The following topics will be covered:

  • Pins and Skewers.

  • Knight Forks, Pawn Forks and King Forks.

  • Bishop Forks, Rook Forks and Queen Forks.

  • Discovered Checks and Discovered Attacks.

Weekly quizzes and homework will be based on the above topics.

Lastly, a tournament is run over the entire term, with one serious game played per week under tournament conditions.

Term 4

Students will learn the mechanics of more difficult chess tactics. The following topics will be covered:

  • Pin Pile-ons and Pin Paralysis.

  • Checkmates involving Pins.

  • Runaway Pawns, controlling the promotion square and Underpromotion.

  • Trapped Pieces.

Weekly quizzes and homework will be based on the above topics.

Lastly, a tournament is run over the entire term, with one serious game played per week under tournament conditions.

The maximum class size for the Development Class is 48 students.