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