` CHESS BASICS Fall 2021 SYLABUSS

Instructor: Gary Szczarba

Class Description: Learn the basics of chess, including basic moves, rules, object of the game, tactics, strategy and more! No experience necessary. Instruction is done utilizing videos, Chess.com and hands- on exercises. The class is intended for students with little or no experience playing chess. Participants need a free basic Chess.com account (a chess set is also desirable). Participation using a smartphone is possible; however, a tablet, laptop or PC will enhance your experience.

Week 1:  Introduction of Classmates  Class Goals and Objectives  Chess.com overview, setting up an account, types of accounts. Week 2:  Video: “The World of Chess”  Chess.com: Introduction to lessons Week 3:  Review: o Object of the game and algebraic notation o Basics of Kings, Queens, Rooks and Bishops  Video: “Secrets of Pawns and Knights”  Basic moves of the King, Queen, Rook and Bishop  Chess.com: Introduction to puzzles. Week 4:  Review: o Basic moves of the Knight and Pawns o Pawn movement, capture, Promotion and En Passant o Chess board setup  Video: Castling, chess endgames and draws.  Chess.com: Introduction to the Chess Club Week 5:  Review: o Castling, what, how, and when. o Checkmate, resigning, stalemate and draws.  Video: “Must Know Tactical Patterns in Chess”  Chess.com: Introduction to playing against the computer. Week 6:  Review: o Pins, forks, skewers, decoy, Zwischenzug, discovered attack and double attack.  Video: “Chess Combinations and Kings in Check” Week 7:  Review: Exercises for “Chess Combinatons and Kings in Check”  Video: “Checkmate! Back-Rank, Smothered King and More”

` CHESS BASICS Fall 2021 SYLABUSS

Week 8:  Review: Exercises for “Checkmate! Back-Rank, Smothered King and More”  Chess.com: Opening Principles Lessons o Control the Center. o Develop your Pieces. o Protect your King

Week 9:  Review: Last week’s lessons.  Chess.com: Continue Opening Principles Lessons o Active Pieces o Your Opponents Move o Stages of the Game  Opening Principles Week 10:  Video: “Checkmate Against a Castled King”  Play Chess Week 11  Wrap Up  Play Chess