Learn to play
A practical course from zero to intermediate: here you don't memorize theory, you play. The tutor guides you move by move on the board (with voice, if you like) and corrects you if you stray. Do them in order; when you finish, you'll be ready for your first games.
Openings
Five specialists with a theory book, plus drill mode to walk every line.
55 lines
Puzzles
Real positions from games, easy to hard, with hints.
0/630 solved
Attacking patterns
The classic attacking plans: theory, a guided example and practice.
5 lessons
Endgames
Classic positions against the engine at full strength.
19 endgames
Square trainer
Thirty seconds to click as many squares as you can.
against the clock
Key squares
Find the holes one side can never defend again.
on real theory
The course, step by step
Starting from scratch? Take them in order.
How the pieces move
start hereRook, bishop, queen, knight, king and pawn — plus capturing, promotion and “en passant”.
Reading and saying moves
8 stepsEvery square has a name and every move is written down. Learn it and you can read any game — and dictate one out loud.
Check, mate and stalemate
3 stepsAttacking the king, trapping it completely… and not leaving it with no moves by mistake.
Castling and king safety
2 stepsKingside and queenside castling: get your king to safety before launching your attack.
The value of the pieces
3 stepsPawn 1, knight and bishop 3, rook 5, queen 9: don't give away material and always capture the most valuable piece.
Basic checkmates
3 stepsThe techniques you must know by heart: queen and king, two rooks and the back rank.
Opening principles
1 stepsThe first moves done right: center, development, castling and not wasting time.
Basic tactics
4 stepsFork, double attack, pin and skewer: the four traps that win material.
From the opening to the middlegame
1 stepsEverything together: leave the opening with a center, pieces out and a safe king, and enter the middlegame with a plan.