Brainiac Chess Academy

Advanced Beginner Course (Level 3)

♟️ Brainiac Chess Academy – Advanced Beginner Course (Level 3)

Mastering the Opening Setup
Discovered Attack & Double Check Secrets
Targeting Pinned Pieces
Checkmate by Controlling Access Squares
The Pawn’s Square Rule
Breaking the Defence: Advanced Techniques
Defending Against Double Attacks
Building a Mini Plan in the Middlegame

When Games End in a Draw
The X-ray Attack: Power Through Pieces
Opening Principles for Strong Play
How to Defend Against Pins
Piece Mobility and Activity
Understanding Key Squares – Part 1
Dealing with Pinned Pieces Effectively
Spotting and Handling Threats
Understanding Key Squares – Part 2

1. Thinking Ahead

At this level, students begin to visualize positions beyond the next move. Thinking ahead means imagining not only your move but also your opponent’s reply — and your counter to it.

Coaches encourage children to:

Ask “What happens if…?” before moving.
Calculate 2–3 moves deep in simple positions.
Spot possible checkmate threats early.
This habit builds foresight, patience, and logical planning, which are valuable both in chess and academics.

2. Knowledge and Skills

By Intermediate Level 1, children should have foundational knowledge (rules, basic tactics, simple mates). Now the focus shifts to skills:

Turning knowledge into practical decision-making.
Recognizing tactical motifs quickly.
Playing with better opening principles.
This stage is about application: moving from knowing chess to playing chess with confidence.

3. Homework

Homework reinforces classroom lessons. At this level, homework includes:

Tactics puzzles (forks, pins, discovered attacks).
Mini-games with restrictions (e.g., “win with just rook and king”).
Short written tasks (notation practice, analyzing a simple game). Homework ensures children practice independently and prepares them for discussions in the next class.

4. Teaching

Training games differ from casual play — they are purpose-driven. Coaches may set specific goals:

“Win a game using discovered attacks.”
“Play with pawns only and promote.”
These games sharpen focus and give children a chance to apply newly learned tactics in a fun, controlled way

5. Discussing the Games

At this level, post-game analysis becomes essential. Coaches sit with students to review:

Good moves (to reinforce learning).
Mistakes and missed chances (to improve awareness).
Alternative ideas (to build creativity).
Students are encouraged to explain their own thought process. This not only improves chess but also builds communication and reflection skills.

6. Help

Intermediate students often struggle with balancing attack and defense. Coaches provide timely assistance:

Hinting at possible moves without giving the solution.
Asking guiding questions (“What is the opponent’s threat?”).
Teaching children when to ask for help during analysis instead of silently guessing. This nurtures independence while still offering support when needed.

7. Competition Formats

Children at this stage are ready to taste competition. Different formats are introduced:

Swiss System Tournaments (fair pairings, multiple rounds).
Round Robin (everyone plays everyone in small groups).
Blitz/rapid games for time management practice.
Team vs Team matches for collaboration. Understanding formats early builds confidence and removes the “fear factor” of tournaments.