Brainiac Chess Academy

Advanced Beginner Course (Level 4)

♟️ Brainiac Chess Academy – Advanced Beginner Course (Level 4)

Turning the Opening into an Advantage
Interference: Cutting Off Opponent’s Plans
Luring Pieces into Traps
Blocking as a Defensive Weapon
Thinking Ahead: Planning in Chess
The Pin & Lure Combination
Power of the Passed Pawn
Breaking Down the Defence

The Magnet: Forcing Opponent’s Pieces
Understanding Weak Pawns
Using Material Advantage Effectively
Chasing and Targeting Opponent’s Pieces
Attacking the King with Precision
Controlling the Seventh Rank
Endgame Strategy Basics
Clearing the Way for Attack or Promotion
Queen vs Pawn: Endgame Mastery

1. Subject Material

At this level, the subject material deepens: positional ideas, weak pawns, the seventh rank, rook endings, and converting advantages. Unlike beginner lessons, which are about rules and tactics, Intermediate Level 2 emphasizes strategy. Students learn that a game is not just about immediate captures, but about long-term advantages and planning.

2. Chess Games

Games become the central teaching tool. Coaches encourage children to play longer, structured games instead of just quick blitz. By replaying classical mini-games or their own matches, students:

Recognize patterns.
See how masters handle similar situations.
Build patience and stamina.
Chess games are no longer “fun exercises” alone — they are learning laboratories.

3. Thinking Ahead

At this stage, “thinking ahead” evolves into calculation and planning. Children are taught to:

Imagine 3–4 moves ahead in simple situations.
Consider both tactics and positional consequences.
Balance their plan with the opponent’s threats.
This structured foresight develops logical thinking and helps them start playing real tournament-style chess.

4. Help

Students here are transitioning to independence but still need guided help:

Coaches give hints rather than direct answers.
Parents are advised to encourage analysis instead of simply praising wins.
Group discussions allow peers to “help” one another, promoting collaborative learning.
The right kind of help ensures children don’t feel stuck, but also don’t become dependent.

5. Applying the Knowledge

Knowledge of tactics and strategy must now be applied consistently. Coaches assign practical training tasks:

Play games focusing on one theme (e.g., exploit weak pawns).
Solve puzzle sets targeting discovered attacks or endgames.
Write down a short game analysis after play.
This bridges the gap between knowing concepts and winning games with them.

6. The Transition to the Seniors

Intermediate Level 2 is often the turning point: students are ready to step into advanced groups (“seniors”). This requires:

Better time management in longer games.
Stronger understanding of openings and pawn structures.
The ability to analyze games independently.
This stage ensures children don’t just play casually but are prepared for serious training and tournaments.

7. Analysing a Position

Analyzing positions is a skill that separates casual players from competitors. Students are taught:

How to evaluate material, activity, king safety, and pawn structure.
To ask guiding questions: “Who is better here and why?”
To suggest candidate moves and compare outcomes.
Learning position analysis improves decision-making and gives children the confidence to trust their judgment.