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Weekly Classes & Lectures

You don't have to be an expert to play at the Saint Louis Chess Club! We offer a great environment for beginning and intermediate chess players to learn one of the oldest games in the world. Weekly classes and tournaments are available for both children and adults at any skill level, all of them free to members -- and all of them sure to help take your game to the next level. 

SUNDAY

Pure Beginner Class for Kids: 1:00 PM

  • Ready to learn the rules and how the pieces move? This is the perfect class for those completely new to chess. Taught by Scholastic Instructor Jonathan Israel.

Kids Chess for Rookies: 1:00 PM

  • If you already know the rules of chess, learn the basic strategies from a grandmaster in this fun class. Taught by a Grandmaster.

Kids Chess for Knights: 2:00 PM

  • A kids class for tournament players. This lecture will focus on strategies with competition in mind, and everything learned will be immediately put to the test: Every class will end with a match against a classmate! Taught by a Grandmaster.

Adult Beginner Class: 2:00 PM

  • After learning piece movement and the rules of chess, this adult beginner class covers the basic elements and strategies in a classroom setting. Taught by Scholastic Instructor Jonathan Israel.

Puzzler's Paradise: 5:00 PM

  • This class is open to all members. Test and sharpen your tactical and positional skills by attempting to solve puzzles handpicked by our Resident Grandmaster. Taught by a Grandmaster.

 

MONDAY

Chess Openings Explained: 6:30 PM

  • Explore a variety of openings and learn how to formulate strategical plans and identify common motifs. Taught by NM Jim McLauglin.

Select Chess Program: 7:00 PM

  • Under professional instruction from Grandmaster Varuzhan Akobian, accepted scholastic players age 18 and under will receive weekly group training sessions, individual lessons, tournament preparation, and game analysis.

Understanding the Classics: 7:30PM

  • Master the ideas from famous classics, and discover hidden gems from the greatest chess players in history. Taught by WIM Thalia Cervantes

TUESDAY

Kids' Beginner Class: 6:30 PM

  • After learning piece movement and the rules of chess, this kids class covers the basic elements and strategies in a fun classroom setting. Taught by Scholastic Instructor Vincent Tucci.

Tactics Time!: 6:30 PM

  • NM Jim McLaughlin will guide you to super stardom with excellent tactical strategies. Taught by NM Jim McLaughlin.

Monthly Knights Tournament: 7:00 PM

  • (4SS, G/70;d5) Directed by International Arbiter Mike Kummer, with two sections - the Knights tournaments are great first steps into competitive chess, and provide a stable format for experienced players. Register by 6:45pm on the first Wednesday of the month. Entry fee: $20.  $800 in prizes!

Adult Beginner Class: 7:30 PM

  • After learning piece movement and the rules of chess, this adult beginner class covers the basic elements and strategies in a classroom setting. Taught by Scholastic Instructor Vincent Tucci.

Insane in the Endgame: 7:30 PM

  • Train the creativity, precision, and calculation required to navigate through the insanity of chess endgames. Taught by a Grandmaster.
 

WEDNESDAY

The Road to 2000: 6:00 PM

  • Learn how to escape the common pitfalls that keep Class players from achieving their next step up. Taught by NM Caleb Denby

Junior Select Chess Program: 7:00 PM

  • Under professional instruction from Grandmaster Varuzhan Akobian, accepted scholastic players age 12 and under will receive weekly group training sessions, individual lessons, tournament preparation, and game analysis.

Endgame Class: 7:00 PM

  • Focus on the technical phase in chess where games are won or lost. Improve the endgame understanding in this fun new class. Taught by Ryan Deering.

Analyze Your Games!: 8:00 PM

  • Take your game to the next level by learning how to analyze chess games more effectively. Please bring your games to the class! Taught by Ryan Deering.

THURSDAY

Pure Beginner Ladies' Knight Class: 6:30 PM

  • Learn the rules and how the pieces move. Open to women of all ages. Taught by qualified STLCC Staff.

Ladies' Knight Intermediate Class: 6:30 PM

  • After learning the basics of chess, come to the intermediate class for the next step. We will cover the basic elements, strategies and tactics needed for you to advance. Taught by the astounding Allison Looney.

Ladies' Knight - Women's Class: 6:30 PM

  • Build upon the foundation of chess strategy with more advanced principles and ideas in this advanced class. Taught by WGM Anna Sharevich

Grandmaster’s Choice: 6:30 PM

  • Join our Resident Grandmaster for an instructional class on a topic of their choosing. Taught by a Grandmaster.

Games of the Week: 7:30 PM

  • See how a Grandmaster follows modern trends in chess by learning from the most recent games of the world’s top players. Taught by a Grandmaster.

FRIDAY

King & Pawn Warfare: 5:00 PM

  • King & pawn endgames are the backbone of chess understanding. In this class you'll learn the essential & fundamental ones. Join NM Julian Proleiko as he hammers your ability to calculate into fighting form!

Friday Action Tactics Time: 6:00 PM

  • Learn essential patterns and the correct technique for solving tactical problems with NM Julian Proleiko

Friday Action Quads: 7:00 PM

  • Play three quick-rated games (G20;d3) in one night against players close to your own skill level. Register by 6:55 p.m. Entry fee: $10.

SATURDAY

Pure Beginner Class for Kids: 1:00 PM

  • Ready to learn the rules and how the pieces move? This is the perfect class for those completely new to chess. Taught by Scholastic Instructor Vincent Tucci.

Adult Pure Beginner Class: 2:00 PM

  • Ready to learn the rules and how the pieces move? This is the perfect class for adults who are completely new to chess. Taught by Scholastic Instructor Vincent Tucci.