Online Chess Camp :: Syllabus

2014-15
Online Chess Camp :: Syllabus

Course Introduction
Personally, when I play chess, I appreciate being able to see and hold all of the pieces. Being
able to perceive the depth of field on the board is my comfort zone. I feel many chess players would
share this preference, but sometimes in order to grow, we have to be open to leaving our comfort
zones. One reason for choosing an all online approach for this course is because the website,
Chess.com, offers campers the feature of recording each match for review on-demand. Like editing a
paper, this ability to go back and review will allow campers to identify missteps in previous matches to
help them fix weaknesses they have in future camp matches and beyond.
Anyone who has ever participated in a camp of some sort has either had to go to a secluded
campground, or joined up with others, face-to-face, at an agreed upon location. This camp challenges
the perception of what a camp is supposed to be. Campers will meet in a Google Hangout each day and
have both synchronous and asynchronous activities to participate in. Homework will offer insight and
pointers that can be transferred into the matches campers participate in during camp.
Chess.com offers a strong set of resources in order to help chess players make strides towards
improvement. The website is littered with articles on different chess-related topics written by
accomplished chess players and champions. Video lessons and lectures are offered to show players
pointers to strengthen their game. Daily puzzles challenge users to pick the correct move given the
game scenario on the board. The Game Explorer allows players to review master games, which are
games played by chess masters. The Tactics Trainer exposes players to scenarios for the purpose of
developing tactical vision. Computer workouts works to build players knowledge key positions and
enables players to take advantage of the key positions against the computer. Live-chess allows campers
to play a synchronous match against a Chess.com member or camp member. Turn-based chess (or Echess) offers campers the ability to play in asynchronous matches.
Participation would almost certainly result in campers walking away as much stronger players.

Course Logistics
Course Title
Online Chess Camp

Course Meeting Date, Time, and Location

Monday through Friday, for 6 weeks during the summer

2:00 PM 4:00 PM
Google Hangout (screenname Senor Hooks)

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Instructor Information
Name: David Hooks
Office Adress: 310 E Washington, San Angelo, TX 76903, Bldg. E, Rm. 14
Phone Number: (325) 659-3654, ext. 235 (work)
Email: david.hooks@saisd.org (preferred communication method)
Biographical Information: Ive enjoyed playing chess since I was in 5th grade. This is the
1st year Ive taught this camp fully online.
Emergency Contact Information: for emergencies, I can reached at (325) 227-1206
(cell) or dwhooks@yahoo.com
Office Hours
8:00-8:45, MTW and F
Textbook and Course Materials
No textbook
Chess.com login
Headset or microphone and an internet enabled computer

Course Policies
Attendance Policy

Students accepted into the camp will be expected to join the Google Hangouts at the
beginning of the camp meetings.
Excessive absences (5 or more) could result in being excused from the camp.

Homework Policy

Camp members are expected to put in the time to complete the weekly requirements
from the curriculum.
Camp members will get out of the camp what they put into it.
Completing the homework will allow you to more competently participate in the daily
Google Hangout discussion.
Other than the curriculum requirements, club members are encouraged to practice,
practice, practice.
Play friends and family in person or club members through chess.com in order to apply
what is learned through the

Participation Information

Camp participants are encouraged to complete all of the activities.

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The goal is for everyone to develop and improve their chess skills; this is made possible
by practicing and completing the lesson activities

Instructional Activities
Class Schedule

Week 1 Topic: Beyond the Basics

Week 2 Topic: The Openings!
Week 3 Topic: Tactics
Week 4 Topic: Strategy
Week 5 Topic: The Endgame
Week 6 Topic: Bringing It All Together

Camp Goal
To aid camp participants in becoming stronger chess players
To challenge common perceptions of a camp
To leverage telecommunication technology for content delivery and interaction
between camp participants separated geographically, but drawn together by a
common interest in chess
Camp Objectives
By the end of the camp, the campers will be expected to be able to:

Objective 1
Understand the movements of each of the six pieces as well as the strengths and
limitations of each.

Objective 2
Compare, contrast, and utilize a variety of openings.

Objective 3
Compare, contrast, and utilize a variety of tactics.

Objective 4
Compare, contrast, and utilize a variety of strategies.

Objective 5
Compare, contrast, and utilize a variety of endgame patterns and approaches.

Objective 6
Critique ones moves against the top 10 reasons chess players lose.

Credit for Curriculum: Chess.com

Online Chess Camp :: Syllabus

Date
Week 1:
Day 1

Activities &
Tasks

Google
Hangout

Review
the Rules

Tutorial
Video

Practice

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Learning
Objectives
Obj. 1

Learning Activities
Google HangoutEvery club meeting will start with a Google Hangout at
2:00PM. Members will need to sign up with a Google
login, if they do not already have one.
Download the RulesDownload a copy of Learn How to Play Chess: The
Rules! We will review the main points of the article to
ensure everyone understands the rules during the
Hangout. You can refer back to this to remind yourself
of the rules if need be.

Tutorial VideoDuring the Hangout, I will share my screen and we

will watch the following video: Everything You Need to
Know: Start Playing Chess!.

Week 1:
Day 2

Week 1:
Day 3

Google
Hangout

Play Two
Live
Games

Practice

Google
Hangout

Complete
Three

PracticeEach member will need to create a free login on

Chess.com. Members will play each other to apply
what they have learned or already know.
Google HangoutDiscussion Topic: What did you learn from Day 1?
Play Two Live GamesPlay two live games against international members
from the Chess.com website. Give yourself a 15
minute total time limit per side. Go to you Live Chess
Home page and select one of the matches you played
and review the moves you made. Identifying mistakes
you make when reviewing your Live games can lead
to growth in future matches.
PracticeClub members will play each other to apply what they
have learned in matches against club members. Club
members can use the chat feature in the Google
Hangout to update members on when their live
games are finished. Club member who finish their live
matches early can play against the computer in a
match on Chess.com.
Google HangoutDiscussion Topic: What did you learn from reviewing
your live matches on Day 2?
Complete Three Tactics Problems-

Online Chess Camp :: Syllabus

Tactics
Problems

Week 1:
Day 4

Google
Hangout

Start a
Turnbased
Online
Game

Week 1:
Day 5

Practice

Do the
Daily
Puzzle

Practice

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Google
Hangout

Try Three
Computer
Workout
Positions

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The problems can be found at Chess.com. Click
Start Training. Do three problems and click
Solution if you make a mistake on the problem.
These problems help to improve tactical vision.
PracticeClub members will play each other to apply what they
have learned in matches against club members. Club
members can use the chat feature in the Google
Hangout to update members on when they are
finished with their tactical problems. Club member
who finish their tactical problems early can play
against the computer in a match on Chess.com.
Google HangoutDiscussion Topic: What did you learn from the tactics
puzzles you attempted during Day 3?
Start a Turn-based Online GameAlso known as E-Chess, this correspondence version
of the game is much like playing Words with Friends
via smartphones, in that players have 3 days to send
their moves to their opponent. Matches can take
days, weeks, or months.
Do the Daily PuzzleClick the Daily Puzzle on Chess.com. Move the
pieces in order to try and solve the puzzle. It you get
stumped, click to see the solution.
PracticeClub members will play each other to apply what they
have learned in matches against club members. Club
members can use the chat feature in the Google
Hangout to update members on when they are
finished with their Daily Puzzle. Club member who
finish their Daily Puzzle early can play against the
computer in a match on Chess.com.
HomeworkWatch the following videos before tomorrows Google
Hangout discussion:
Play Chess Today! Part 1
Play Chess Today! Part 2
Google HangoutDiscussion Questions: Question 1: Though historians
aren't exactly clear on this, where does
the article from Task #1say "most believe" the origins of
chess stem from?
Question 2: What piece does FIDE Master Todd Andrews

Online Chess Camp :: Syllabus

Practice

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suggest the "Queen must first capture to utilize her
diagonal movement" at the thirteen minute mark of
his Play Chess Today! Part 1 video?
Question 3: According to this study plan, what is the
fastest way to get better at chess at the beginner
level?
Question 4: What does this study plan say a chess player
should "eventually" try to do when reviewing their
games on their Live Chess home page?
Question 5: What "minor" piece does FIDE Master Todd
Andrews review last in his Play Chess Today! Part 2 video?

Try Three Computer Workout PositionsThis workout offers 9 different practice positions. We
will try the first four, with the first one today being the
Queen checkmate.
Practice
Club members will play each other to apply what they
have learned in matches against club members. Club
members can use the chat feature in the Google
Hangout to update members on when they are
finished with their computer workouts. Club members
who finish their computer workouts early can play
against the computer in a match on Chess.com.

Week 2:
Day 1

Google
Hangout

Learn 2
Tournam
ent
Chess
Openings

Practice
Matches
Homewor
k

Obj. 2

Homework
Read the following article over the weekend for
Mondays Google Hangout discussion:
The Principles of the Opening for Beginners!
Google HangoutDiscussion Topic: Which principle of openings do you
feel will strengthen your game the most?
Learn 2 Tournament Chess OpeningsReview the following 2 matches and memorize the
first 5 moves of each:
The Ruy Lopez or Spanish Game
The Giuoco Piano or Italian Game
Practice MatchesApply what you have learned about openings in
practice matches with club members.
HomeworkRead the following two articles:
Monkey See, Monkey Do
An Important Lesson from My Youth

Online Chess Camp :: Syllabus

Week 2:
Day 2

Google
Hangout

Learn 2
Tournam
ent
Chess
Openings

Practice
Matches
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Watch the following two videos:
Everything You Need to Know: The Opening!
Every Chess Opening: The First Move!
Google HangoutDiscussion Topic: What new openings youve learned
have been most useful? Which opening have you had
the most trouble countering?
Learn 2 Tournament Chess OpeningsReview the following 2 matches and memorize the
first 5 moves of each:
The Four Knights Opening
The Two Knights or Fried Liver
Practice Matches
Apply what you have learned about openings in
practice matches with club members.
HomeworkRead the following two articles:
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Part 2
Typical Patterns Everyone Should Know Part 6
Watch the following three videos:
Development Part 1: Counting -- by IM Pruess
Development Part 2: Open vs Closed Positions -- by IM
Pruess
Development Part 3: Fluid Positions -- by IM Pruess

Week 2:
Day 3

Week 2:

Google
Hangout

Learn a
Tournam
ent
Chess
Opening

Learn a Tournament Chess OpeningReview the following match and memorize the first 5
moves:
The Queen's Gambit Accepted

Practice
Matches

Practice MatchesApply what you have learned about openings in

practice matches with club members.

Homewor
k

Google

Google HangoutDiscussion Topic: What were the most helpful

pointers you picked up from the homework?

HomeworkRead the following article:

Typical Patterns Everyone Should Know -- The Quickest Way
to Lose a Game
Watch the following 3 videos:
Opening Principles Explained -- by FM Galofre
The Four Knights Opening: Intro! -- by GM Dzindzichashvili
Easy and Ambitious System vs the French -- by GM
Dzindzichashvili
Google Hangout-

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Hangout

Day 4

Half of
Mentor
Course

Opening
Themed
Tournam
ent

Week 2:
Day 5

Learn 2
Chess
Opening

Homewor
k

Google
Hangout

Half of
Mentor
Course

Opening
Themed
Tournam
ent

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k

2014-15
Discussion Topic: What patterns that can lead to
losing a match seem most familiar to you?
Learn 2 Chess OpeningReview the following 2 matches and memorize the
first 5 moves of each:
The Queen's Gambit Declined
The Queen's Gambit Declined -- Slav and/or Semi-Slav
Half of Mentor CourseComplete the first half of the following opening
themed mentor course:
Exploiting Typical Opening Errors -- by GM Shankland
Opening Themed TournamentGo to the Tournaments home page at Chess.com and
join an upcoming tournament where the theme
focuses on a particular opening.
HomeworkRead the following article:
How to Lose a Game in 10 Moves or Lesson - Part 2
Watch the following videos:
Member Analysis: Making Opening Decisions -- by GM
Dzindzichashvili
The Petroff Defense -- by FM Lilov
Google HangoutDiscussion Questions:
Question 1: At what move did IM Daniel Rensch say a
player should be able to castle by, even though the
rule says move 10, in the Principles of the Opening -- for
Beginners article?
Question 2: What "little thing" did Grandmaster Gregory
Serper say would help a player to avoid many opening
disasters, that he then went on to talk about in the
article "An Important Lesson from My Youth"?
Question 3: In his example from the Sveshnikov
opening, before he talks about the "quality" of
development who does IM David Pruess say is leading in
development in this video? White, black or equal?
Question 4: What does IM Daniel Rensch say is a "key" or
"secret" to planning at the master levels of chess in
the Principles of the Opening -- for Beginners article?
Question 5: What move did Petrosian play on move 8
against Hans Ree to force resignation in GM Gregory
Serper's "How to Lose a Game in 10 Moves or Less Part
2" article?

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Half of Mentor CourseComplete the mentor course you began yesterday.
Opening Themed TournamentCompete in another opening-themed tournament.
Homework
Read the following article:
Chess Tactics -- Definitions and Examples for Mondays
Google Hangout
Watch the following videos:
Everything You Need to Know: Tactics & Strategy! -- by IM
Rensch
A Cautionary Tale -- by IM Pruess

Week 3:
Day 1

Google
Hangout

Tactics
Trainer

Week 3:
Day 2

Homewor
k

Google
Hangout

Tactics
Trainer

Week 3:
Day 3

Begin
Tactics
Mentor
Course

Finish
Tactics
Mentor
Course

Homewor
k

Google
Hangout

Tactics
Trainer

Obj. 3

Google HangoutDiscussion Topic: What tactics have you already

incorporated into your game without knowing it?
Tactics TrainerComplete 10 puzzles in Tactics Trainer
Begin Tactics Mentor CourseIntroduction to Tactics -- by IM Jeremy Silman (through
lesson 107)
HomeworkWatch the following two videos:
A Cautionary Tale -- by IM Pruess
Desperate Housewives -- by FM Galofre
Google HangoutDiscussion Topic: Why is the tactic called Desperate
Housewives?
Tactics TrainerComplete 10 puzzles in Tactics Trainer
Begin Tactics Mentor CourseIntroduction to Tactics -- by IM Jeremy Silman (through
lesson 107)
HomeworkWatch the following two videos:
Intermediate Checkmates -- by FM Johannesson
Intermediate Checkmates 2 -- by FM Johannesson
Google HangoutDiscussion Topic: Which checkmate patterns do you
feel would be the easiest to incorporate into your
game, considering your style of play?
Tactics Trainer-

Online Chess Camp :: Syllabus

Week 3:
Day 4

Week 3:
Day 5

Begin
Checkma
te
Patterns
Mentor
Course
Homewor
k
Google
Hangout
Tactics
Trainer
Finish
Checkma
te
Patterns
Mentor
Course
Homewor
k
Google
Hangout

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Complete 10 puzzles in Tactics Trainer
Begin Checkmate Patterns Mentor CourseEssential Checkmate Patterns -- by FM Thomas Wolski
HomeworkWatch the following two videos:
Intermediate Checkmates 3 -- by FM Johannesson
Intermediate Checkmates 4 -- by FM Johannesson
Google HangoutDiscussion Topic: Which checkmate patterns were
ones youve never seen before?
Tactics TrainerComplete 10 puzzles in Tactics Trainer
Finish Checkmate Patterns Mentor CourseEssential Checkmate Patterns -- by FM Thomas Wolski
HomeworkWatch the following two videos:
The Art of "Tempo Moves" in Chess -- by WGM Baginskaite
The Art of "Tempo Moves" in Chess 2 -- by WGM
Baginskaite
Google Hangout-

Discussion Topic: Question 1: In his article, "After the

Tactics
Trainer

Rules, What Should a Beginner Player Study Next?", what

does IM Silman say is important for a beginner chess
player to "note" in his first "complex" example?

Practice
Matches

Question 2: What tactic is played as an "in-between

move" and is often considered a desperado idea?

Homewor
k

Question 3: After completing Silman's list of basic

tactical themes and mating patterns in his"After the
Rules, What Should a Beginner Player Study Next?" article,
what does he recommend a beginner chess player do
next?
Question 4: What checkmate theme is the climax position
of the infamous "Venus Fly Trap" mating net?
Question 5: What tactical idea attacks an enemy piece,
or defends one of your own pieces, directly through an
enemy pieces gaze?

Tactics TrainerComplete 10 puzzles in Tactics Trainer

Practice MatchesApply what you have learned about tactics in practice

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matches with club members.
HomeworkRead the following article for Mondays Google
Hangout:
Good and Bad Pieces
Watch the following two videos:

Nominal and Absolute Power of the Piece

Amazing Games for Beginners: Dominate the Center

Week 4:
Day 1

Google
Hangout

Computer
Workout

Google HangoutDiscussion Topic:

Describe what makes a piece good or bad. I will also
present the highlights from Part 1 of an article about
converting material advantages.

Part of
Mentor
Course

Computer WorkoutPractice this Computer Workout until you win 3 times in

a row.

Practice
Matches

Homewor
k

Part of Mentor CourseDo the first and second exercises in the following
mentor course:
Premature Attacks on the King

Obj. 4

Practice MatchesApply what you have learned about strategy in

practice matches with club members.
HomeworkRead the following articles:
Strong and Weak Pawns

Watch the following three videos:

Amazing Games for Beginners: Pillsburys Attack

Amazing Games for Beginners: Magic Outpost
Magic Outpost 2

Week 4:
Day 2

Google
Hangout

Computer
Workout

Part of
Mentor
Course

Practice
Matches
Homewor
k

Google HangoutDiscussion Topic:

What stood out to you about Pillsburys Attack? How
do you think this attack earned its name? I will also
present the highlights from Part 2 of an article about
converting material advantages.
Computer WorkoutPractice this Computer Workout until you win 3 times in
a row.
Part of Mentor CourseDo the third and fourth exercises in the following
mentor course:
Premature Attacks on the King

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Practice MatchesApply what you have learned about strategy in
practice matches with club members.
HomeworkRead the following articles:
Try Your Hand at Planning
How to Evaluate a Position

Watch the following three videos:

Chess Vocabulary: Pawn Structure

Isolated Queen Pawns: Introduction
Everything You Need to Know: Tactics & Strategy

Week 4:
Day 3

Google
Hangout

Computer
Workout

Google HangoutDiscussion Topic:

What are the key principles to remember with pawn
structures? I will also present the highlights from Part
3 of an article about converting material advantages.

Part of
Mentor
Course

Computer WorkoutPractice this Computer Workout until you win 3 times in

a row.

Practice
Matches

Homewor
k

Part of Mentor CourseDo the fifth and sixth exercises in the following mentor
course:
Premature Attacks on the King
Practice MatchesApply what you have learned about strategy in
practice matches with club members.
HomeworkWatch the following three videos:

The Center in Chess

Planning in Chess
Member Analysis: Instructive and Unbalanced Errors

Week 4:
Day 4

Google
Hangout

Computer
Workout

Part of
Mentor
Course

Practice
Matches

Part of Mentor CourseDo puzzle 31 in the following mentor course:

Endings, Openings, a Taste of the Middle

Homewor
k

Practice MatchesApply what you have learned about strategy in

Google HangoutDiscussion Topic:

What is the advantage of controlling the center of the
board?
Computer WorkoutPractice this Computer Workout until you win 3 times in
a row.

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practice matches with club members.
HomeworkWatch the following three videos:
King in the Center 1 and 2
Strike While the Iron is Hot
Alekhine's Attack

Week 4:
Day 5

Google
Hangout

Part of
Mentor
Course

Practice
Matches

Homewor
k

Google HangoutDiscussion Topic:

Question 1: What "minor piece is dominating" the Bishop
on e7 towards the end of IM Rensch's"Everything You
Need to Know: Tactics & Strategy" video lecture?
Question 2: When used "together with other pawns"
what does WGM Pogonina say pawns have the ability to
do in her article Strong and Weak Pawns?
Question 3: In the introduction to Lesson 1 in his Mentor
Course, what does FM Banawa say is an essential part of
improving your chess game?
Question 4: What variation from the Caro Kann does IM
Rensch say is "another line that commonly reaches an
Isolated Queen Pawn position" in his video lecture?
Question 5: In Part 3 of his article series on Converting
Material Advantages, what does IM Bryan Smith list as
the 1st step in the "good plan" to converting the Knight
advantage?

Part of Mentor CourseDo puzzle 32 in the following mentor course:

Endings, Openings, a Taste of the Middle
Practice MatchesApply what you have learned about strategy in
practice matches with club members.

Week 5:
Day 1

Google
Hangout

Mentor
Course

Computer
Workouts

Obj. 5

HomeworkRead the following articles:

The Principles of the Endgame -- for Beginners!
Watch the following three videos:
Everything You Need to Know: The Endgame!
Google HangoutDiscussion Topic:
Explain the principles of the Endgame.
Mentor CourseComplete the first 10 puzzles in the following mentor
course:
Pawn Endings: Beginner to Expert -- by IM Eric
Tangborn and FM Thomas Wolski

Online Chess Camp :: Syllabus

Week 5:
Day 2

Homewor
k

Google
Hangout

Mentor
Course

Computer
Workouts

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Computer WorkoutsComplete the following 5 computer workouts:

Two Rook Checkmate
King and Queen Mate
King and Rook Mate
Two Bishop Mate
Knight & Bishop "Corner/Edge" Mating Net
HomeworkRead the following article:
Inch by Inch, Row by Row -- by WIM Root
Watch the following videos:
Fundamental Checkmates 1: Rook Roller and K+Q -- by
FM Andrews
The Big 3 - Important Winning Techniques -- by FM Liu
Google HangoutDiscussion Topic:
Explain the Big 3 winning techniques.
Mentor CourseComplete puzzles 11-20 in the following mentor
course:
Pawn Endings: Beginner to Expert -- by IM Eric
Tangborn and FM Thomas Wolski
Computer WorkoutsComplete the following 5 computer workouts:
King and Pawn Exercise #1
King and Pawn Exercise #2
King and Pawn Exercise #3
King and Pawn Exercise #4
King and Pawn Exercise #5

HomeworkRead the following article:

Basic Checkmates: The Queen Dance! -- by Jessica
Martin
Watch the following videos:
Pawn Endings 1 -- by FM Zierk
King and Pawn Endings: The Basics! -- by IM Rensch
Week 5:
Day 3

Google
Hangout

Mentor
Course

Computer
Workouts

Google HangoutDiscussion Topic:

Explain King and Pawn endings.
Mentor CourseComplete puzzles 21-30 in the following mentor
course:
Pawn Endings: Beginner to Expert -- by IM Eric

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Tangborn and FM Thomas Wolski

Homewor
k

Week 5:
Day 4

Google
Hangout

Mentor
Course

Computer
Workouts

Homewor
k

Computer WorkoutsComplete the following 5 computer workouts:

Queen vs Rook with Pawns
Queen vs Knight
Queen vs Bishop
Using Extra Bishop
Using Extra Bishop #2
HomeworkRead the following article:
Basic Checkmates: The King and Rook Mate! -- by
Jessica Martin
Watch the following videos:
Pawn Endings 2 -- by FM Zierk
King and Pawn Endings: Stage 2 -- by IM Rensch
Google HangoutDiscussion Topic:
Describe the benefit of utilizing a rook in pursuing
mate.
Mentor CourseComplete puzzles 31-40 in the following mentor
course:
Pawn Endings: Beginner to Expert -- by IM Eric
Tangborn and FM Thomas Wolski
Computer WorkoutsComplete the following 5 computer workouts:
Using Extra Knight
Using Extra Knight #2
Using Extra Rook
Using Extra Rook #2
Winning with an Extra Pawn

Week 5:
Day 5

Google
Hangout

Mentor
Course

Computer
Workouts

HomeworkRead the following article:

Two Bishop Mate! -- by Jessica Martin
Watch the following videos:
Pawn Endings 3 -- by FM Zierk
King and Pawn Endings: Stage 3 -- by IM Rensch
Google HangoutDiscussion Topic:
Describe how bishops should be used in tandem.
Mentor CourseComplete puzzles first 9 puzzles in the following
mentor course:
Do or Die with Rook Endings -- by IM John Watson
Complete puzzles first 4 puzzles in the following

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mentor course:
Bishop versus Knight (Part 1) -- by GM Dejan Bojkov
Complete puzzles 1, 2, 4, and 5 in the following
mentor course:
Knight Endgames (Part 1) -- by GM Dejan Bojkov

Computer WorkoutsComplete the following 3 computer workouts:

Drawing -- King and Pawn Basics
Drawing -- Rook and Pawn Ending Basics
Drawing -- Rooks and Pawns
HomeworkWatch the following videos:

Amazing Games for Beginners: Tunnel Vision -- by IM

Pruess

Week 6:
Day 1

Google
Hangout

Practice
Match

Live
Matches

Game
Critique

Homewor
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Obj. 6

Google HangoutDiscussion Topic:

1. We will discuss the Top 10 Reasons a Chess Player
Loses: I did not see (or underestimated) my opponent's threat(s)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

I did not develop/get castled

I ignored a passed pawn that ultimately promoted
I sacrificed prematurely to attack and could not find a checkmate
I got behind on material from bad tactics
I could not stop a mating attack
I did not try my hardest (lack of focus)
I played too fast
I took too much time, and eventually I ran out of time or
blundered
10. I did not have any idea how to proceed or find a plan

Practice MatchApply what you have learned about strategy in

practice matches with club members.
Live MatchPlay two live games against international members
from the Chess.com website. Give yourself a 15
minute total time limit per side.
Game CritiqueGo to your Live Chess Home page and select one of
the matches you played and review the moves you
made according to the 10 reasons players lose at
chess that we discussed today. Take notes like in the
following example:
Reason #1 -- I did not see my opponent's
threat/underestimated their threat(s)
"My opponent moves his Knight to attack my Queen, and I

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missed the threat."
Identifying mistakes you make when reviewing your
Live games can lead to growth in future matches.

HomeworkRead the following article:

K.I.S.S. -- Keep It Simple -- by GMs Magesh and Arun
Watch the following videos:

Week 6:
Day 2

Google
Hangout

Practice
Match

Live
Matches

Game
Critique

Everything You Need to Know: Bringing It Together -- by IM

Rensch
Tactics Do Grow on Strategies -- by IM Pruess

Google HangoutDiscussion Topic:

How can you balance everything that you have
learned from this course with the call to keep it
simple from the article?
Practice MatchApply what you have learned about strategy in
practice matches with club members.
Live MatchPlay two live games against international members
from the Chess.com website. Give yourself a 15
minute total time limit per side.

Homewor
k

Game CritiqueGo to your Live Chess Home page and select one of
the matches you played and review the moves you
made according to the 10 reasons players lose at
chess that we discussed. Identifying mistakes you
make when reviewing your Live games can lead to
growth in future matches.
HomeworkWatch the following videos:

Week 6:
Day 3

Tactics do Grow on Strategies 2 -- by IM Pruess

Member Analysis: A Slave to Your Preferences -- by IM Pruess

Google
Hangout

Practice
Match

Live
Matches

Practice MatchApply what you have learned about strategy in

practice matches with club members.

Game
Critique

Live MatchPlay two live games against international members

Google HangoutDiscussion Topic:

How can you avoid being a slave to your
preferences?

Online Chess Camp :: Syllabus

2014-15
from the Chess.com website. Give yourself a 15
minute total time limit per side.

Homewor
k

Game CritiqueGo to your Live Chess Home page and select one of
the matches you played and review the moves you
made according to the 10 reasons players lose at
chess that we discussed. Identifying mistakes you
make when reviewing your Live games can lead to
growth in future matches.
HomeworkWatch the following videos:

Week 6:
Day 4

Google
Hangout

Practice
Match

Live
Matches

Game
Critique

Homewor
k

Amateur Game Review: Chess Crimes 1 -- by IM Rensch

Google HangoutDiscussion Topic:

Which chess crime are you most often found guilty
of?
Practice MatchApply what you have learned about strategy in
practice matches with club members.
Live MatchPlay two live games against international members
from the Chess.com website. Give yourself a 15
minute total time limit per side.
Game CritiqueGo to your Live Chess Home page and select one of
the matches you played and review the moves you
made according to the 10 reasons players lose at
chess that we discussed. Identifying mistakes you
make when reviewing your Live games can lead to
growth in future matches.
HomeworkWatch the following videos:

Week 6:
Day 5

Google
Hangout

End of
Camp
Tournam
ent

Amateur Game Review: Chess Crimes 2 -- by IM Rensch

Google HangoutDiscussion Topic:

Question 1: In the second game reviewed from his
video "Everything You Need to Know: Bringing it
Together" who does IM Rensch say is often considered
the greatest endgame player of all time?
Question 2: In our "chess meditation" task, what is the
only "daily" recommendation to help build chess focus
and discipline?
Question 3: What TV Character from the show "Seinfeld"

Online Chess Camp :: Syllabus

2014-15
is referenced in GM Magesh and Arun's article, K.I.S.S. - Keep it Simple?
Question 4: What opening is on display in IM Pruess's
first "Tactics Do Grow on Strategies" video lecture?
Question 5: What minor piece is left to capture the
Queen in the example sentence for game critiquing
from Day 1 this week?
TournamentWe will end this camp with a tournament with only
chess camp participants.