Stage 5 Learning Outcomes

Our Stage 5 Squad is suitable for students ranging from 900 - 1450 rating points.

Stage 5 students are advanced playing regularly in adult and club tournaments. The course materials are centred around strategic ideas and shifts from the open games to closed systems. The Stage 5 Programme provides continuity for the students that have completed the Stage 4 Programme but also offers an option for already strong chess players that are regularly participating in a local chess club and open tournaments (4+ years).

By the end of the "Stage 5" program you should expect to have learned:

Openings

Openings & Middle-Game

Be able to understand and implement typical middle-game plans in the following complex openings:

  • Queens Gambit

  • Nimzo Indian Defence

  • Queen's Indian Defence

  • King's Indian Defence

  • Grunfeld Defence
As part of this study we will look at typical middle-game plans and the correct strategies for both White and Black.

Attacking

Attacking

Progressing from elementary tactics and combinations to studying methods for attacking with various piece combinations:

  • Attacking with Queen and Rook
  • Forced Variations
  • Attacking with Queen and Bishop
  • Attacking with Queen and Pawn
  • Attacking with Rook and Bishop
  • Attacking with Rook and Knight
  • Combinations involving Promotion
  • Combinations involving Files
  • Mating Combinations
  • The Greek Gift Sacrifice

Strategy

Strategy Foundation

Continuing the foundation work from Stages 3 & 4, students will further their strategical understanding of Chess with more advanced concepts:

  • Positional Advantages
  • Semi-Open Games
  • Good and Bad Bishops
  • Candidate Moves
  • The Centre
  • Planning in Chess

Endgames

Endgames

Develop practical endgame skills in the following endgames:

  • Bishop against Pawns
  • Knight against Pawn
  • Mating Nets in the Endgame
  • The Passed Pawn
  • Queen against Rook