0 to 400: the very beginning

Who this is for: you have never played, or you are still learning how the pieces move.

Goals

• Know the board, the six pieces and how each one moves and captures.
• Understand check, checkmate and stalemate, and the special moves (castling, promotion, en passant).
• Never leave a piece where it can be taken for free.
• Win a game against the easiest bots.

Your first four weeks

Every day (15 to 25 minutes):

1. One lesson from Courses, in this order: The chessboard, How the pieces move, Capturing pieces, Check, checkmate and stalemate, Castling, promotion and en passant.
2. Five easy puzzles (mate in one is perfect).
3. Two games against the friendliest bots, untimed or with 10 minutes.

Once a week: review your best and worst game with Game Review and read the comment on each big mistake.

How to measure progress

• You finish the first five courses.
• You win 3 of 5 games against the lowest bots.
• Your puzzle rating moves past 600.

Common mistakes at this level

• Bringing the queen out on move 2. It gets chased and you lose time.
• Moving the same piece again and again in the opening.
• Not checking what the opponent’s last move attacks. Ask “what does that move threaten?” every time.
• Forgetting stalemate when you are winning: leave the opponent a legal move.
• Playing too fast. There is no prize for speed yet.

Tip: say your move out loud in your head: “my bishop goes there, can anything take it?” This one habit wins more games than any opening.

Next: 400 to 800.

Open in the app: https://chessgm.net/train/courses