Chess for Beginners

Selwyn Community Education is based at Selwyn College, Kohimarama, Auckland.

After learning piece movement and the rules of chess, this adult beginner class covers the basic elements and strategies in a classroom setting. This course combines theory and play.

Chess is a game and a sport which has an aesthetic quality which can make it an art form too. A game for the mind that can be played with eyes open or closed, it will help develop your memory, concentration, focus and logical and spatial thinking. Chess has enthralled people for 1500 years, with only a few tweaks to the rules throughout the centuries and in today's world where computers are now better players, chess can still capture people's imagination and give you the opportunity to discipline yourself and learn and improve from your failures every time you play.

Expected learning outcomes:
-Learn some opening, middle and end game strategies and tactics
-Learn how to identify and implicate check mating patterns
-Learn from a study of past Grandmaster games and enquire about various lines of play
-How to use puzzles to help improve and get into the habit of deeper analysis

By the end of the course you'll have a greater understanding of important areas and branches of play which will altogether make you a better decision maker over the chess board

Who should attend? Those who are new or relatively new to chess and want to learn the basics. Those who'd like to start playing chess at home or a club and want to build confidence first.

Taught by Professional Chess Coach, Eva Lourenco.

Our mission is to provide quality affordable and accessible lifelong learning opportunities for our community.