Chess for pre-intermediates: develop your game
- Course Code: UBD60
- Dates: 20/09/24 - 25/10/24
- Time: 14:45 - 16:45
- Taught: Fri, Daytime
- Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: David Rowson
Course Code: UBD60
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
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What is the course about?
We will develop calculating skills (tactics) and understanding of positional principles (strategy).
What will we cover?
• Some ways to begin the game (openings)
• Making plans in the middlegame
• Active pieces
• Some key pawn structures
• Some essential endgames
• Checkmating patterns.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Develop your pieces so that they are active
• Identify strengths and weaknesses in pawn structures and use this knowledge to make plans
• Record your moves and follow recorded games with confidence
• Win or defend basic king and pawn endings
• Checkmate with different combinations of pieces.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You need to have a confident knowledge of the basic rules of chess and of the tactical ideas of forks, pins and skewers. However, the teaching approach will take into account that everyone needs a lot of time and practice to develop chess skills, and there are always mixed levels in a group.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
We will work together to analyse and understand games and ideas, using chess software. There will be plenty of opportunities to play each other and to discuss your games, but the approach will not be competitive. A handout will be provided for each class, and optional exercises will be given for students to do between classes if they have time.
After 19 years in the education field overseas, course tutor, David Rowson, returned to London in 2000 to work as a teacher and manager in a college for overseas students. Twelve of his years abroad were spent in Georgia, working for the British Council during the period which saw the break-up of the Soviet Union, and then directing a UNDP-funded project for the Georgian government. His initial experience was in teaching English as a foreign language, but in the UK he seized on opportunities to teach History and Politics when they presented themselves. He has master’s degrees in History and Education. His latent interest in history came to life as he observed and sought to understand the rapid changes that took place in the USSR and post-USSR in the years after 1988.
David also teaches chess, a game which has fascinated him since secondary school. He is currently a Kingston Chess Club captain, and was a member of the Surrey team which won the 2011 English County Championship. He believes that teaching should be a co-operative project between students and tutors, in which, guided by the tutor, those involved raise questions and explore answers together, developing their skills, knowledge and understanding.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
A pen and paper will be useful for recording moves. Chess sets will be provided.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You might be interested in UBD54: Chess for intermediates 1, starting on 5th November.
After 19 years in the education field overseas, David Rowson returned to London in 2000 to work as a teacher and manager in a college for overseas students. Twelve of his years abroad were spent in Georgia, working for the British Council during the period which saw the break-up of the Soviet Union, and then directing a UNDP-funded project for the Georgian government. His initial experience was in teaching English as a foreign language, but in the UK he seized on opportunities to teach History and Politics when they presented themselves. He has master’s degrees in History and Education. His latent interest in history came to life as he observed and sought to understand the rapid changes that took place in the USSR and post-USSR in the years after 1988. David also teaches chess, a game which has fascinated him since secondary school. He is currently a Kingston Chess Club captain, and was a member of the Surrey team which won the 2011 English County Championship. His believes that teaching should be a co-operative project between students and tutors, in which, guided by the tutor, those involved raise questions and explore answers together, developing their skills, knowledge and unde
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.