Squad members who reach over 900 rating points are offered the chance to progress to a "Stage 2" Squad.
These students are taught at a whole new level and are provided with access to advanced resources. The "Stage 2" Programme provides continuity for the students that have completed the Introductory Programme but also offers an option for kids that have significant Chess experience (3+ years).
By the end of the "Stage 2" program you should expect to have learned:
Openings & Middle-Game
Be able to understand and implement typical middle-game plans in the following openings:
- Ruy Lopez
- Petroff Defence
- Kings Gambit
- French Defence
- Caro-Kann Defence
- Sicilian Defence
- Pirc Defence
- Scandanavian Defence
- Queen's Gambit Declined
- Slav Defence
- Nimzo-Indian Defence
- Grunfeld Defence
- Kings Indian Defence
As part of this study we will look at typical middle-game plans and the correct strategies for both White and Black.
Understanding Pawn Play
Develop sound understanding of various pawn structures and how to play the resulting middlegames:
- Isolated Pawns
- Isolated Pawn Couples & Hanging Pawns
- Passed Pawns
- Doubled Pawns
- Backward Pawns
- Pawn-Chains
- Pawn-Islands
Endgames
Develop practical endgame skills in the following endgames:
- Knight endings
- Same-coloured and Opposite Bishop endings
- Bishop vs Knight endings
- Rook endings
The Art of Attack
To identify themes of attack, to develop awareness of opportunities and spot weaknesses. We'll cover the following attacking themes:
- Techniques for analysing Variations
- King in the Centre
- Mating Patterns
- Focal Points
- Greek bishop sac
- Attacking along ranks, files and diagonals
- Pieces and pawns in the attack
- Attacking Queenside castling positions
- Defendng against the attack
- The Phase of the Attack
- The Attack as an Integral Part of the Game
The Art of Defence
- Principles of Defence
- Prophylaxis
- Emanuel Lasker as Defender
- Tigran Petrosian as Defender
We will also be covering Strategic Thinking, Planning and Thinking Processes
