ChessDoer

The ChessDoer curriculum

Four paths, written and checked by a FIDE Master. Each has lessons, puzzles, quizzes and an exam. Pass the exam and the next path opens.

Every rule of chess, one step at a time. For children who have never played.

What children learn

1The boardThe rookThe bishopThe queenThe kingThe knightThe pawn8Promotion9Check10Checkmate11Draws12Piece values13Castling14En passant

Practice

  • Step-by-step lessons with Rooky
  • Practice puzzles in every unit
  • A quiz at the end of each unit
  • Short reviews of old units
Starter exam12 questionspass mark 80%try again straight awayPassing opens games against the ten ChessDoer bots.

Pass the Starter exam and play one clean game against Leo, the first bot, to open Beginner

From knowing the rules to winning games. Four areas, each with its own lessons.

Four areas

TacticsFirst checkmates, mate in two, double attacks and pins.
StrategyDeveloping pieces, the centre and king safety.
OpeningsOpening lines played move by move, with the ideas behind them.
EndgamesMating with king and queen, king and rook, and the rule of the square.

Practice

  • Lessons and quizzes
  • Opening lines to play out
  • Ten bot characters to beat, from Leo to Grandpa Aram
  • Spaced reviews of old units
Beginner exam20 positionspass mark 70%plus 2 wins in the last 3 games against Grandpa Aram, the level-match botPassing earns a Beginner certificate, signed by a FIDE Master.

Pass the Beginner exam to open Intermediate

From winning games to understanding them. Deeper tactics, plans and endgame technique.

Four areas

TacticsDiscovered attacks, skewers, removing the defender and mate in three.
StrategyOpen files, outposts, weak pawns and making a simple plan.
OpeningsFirst openings with Black against 1.e4 and 1.d4, with their ideas.
EndgamesThe opposition, key squares, passed pawns and rook against pawn.

Practice

  • Lessons and quizzes
  • Timed puzzle sets
  • Games against the level-match bot without hints
  • Spaced reviews of old units
Intermediate exam25 positionspass mark 70%plus 3 wins in the last 4 games against the level-match bot, no hintsPassing earns an Intermediate certificate, signed by a FIDE Master.

Pass the Intermediate exam to open Advanced

From good games to tournament play. A repertoire, calculation and harder endgames.

Four areas

TacticsCalculating ahead, in-between moves and sacrifices against the castled king.
StrategyPawn structures, good knight against bad bishop, and stopping your opponent’s plans.
OpeningsA full repertoire for White and Black, with the middlegame plans.
EndgamesRook endings: the Lucena and Philidor positions, and bishop against knight.

Practice

  • Annotated master games
  • Repertoire lines to play out
  • Clocked games against the level-match bot
  • Spaced reviews of old units
Advanced exam30 positionspass mark 75%plus 2 wins with Black against the level-match bot, on the clockPassing earns an Advanced certificate, signed by a FIDE Master.

How practice works

Five kinds of practice in every path, and Rooky checks every answer.

LessonsRooky explains one idea at a time. The child plays the move, and Rooky checks it.
PuzzlesFind the best move, mark the right squares, or reach a target square in the fewest moves.
QuizzesA short quiz closes every unit. Points and gifts reward good work.
Bot gamesTen bots, each a little stronger. Rooky gives hints during the game and shows the mistakes after it.
ReviewFinished units come back after 7, 14, 30 and 60 days for a two-minute check.