The curriculum
Five modules. Play the free ones right here.
Coordinates first, because notation, hearing a move and seeing a fork all depend on them. No account needed to try a drill, an opening, a lesson or an endgame. Sign up when you want a streak: 3 days in a row earns 72 hours of Pro, no card.
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a1 is dark Step 1:Coordinates
Know every square by name.
Six drills that turn the board into a map. Name the Square and Find the Square are free at every level, and level 1 of the other four is open to everyone. Play them here, no account needed.
- Free
- 2 drills at every level, level 1 of the rest
- Total
- 6
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1. e4 e5 Step 2:Openings
Your first moves, with a plan.
Main lines with a reason for every move. 3 openings are free to learn and drill here; the rest of the repertoire is in Pro.
- Free
- 3 openings
- Total
- 12
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Nd5, an outpost Step 3:Middlegame
Ideas that win games.
Short illustrated lessons on plans, pawn structures and piece activity, each with a quiz. 3 lessons are free to read and take here.
- Free
- 3 lessons
- Total
- 25
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Nf7+, a fork Step 4:Tactics
See it. Calculate it. Strike.
Rated puzzles from the Lichess database, solved by tapping or by saying the move. Puzzles are served per account, so this one needs a free sign-up: 5 a day, forever.
- Free
- 5 puzzles a day
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Qe8# Step 5:Endgames
Convert what you have earned.
Essential technical endgames played out against Stockfish, in your browser, until they stick. 3 are free to play here.
- Free
- 3 endgames
- Total
- 20
Guides
Guides: read it, then drill it
- How to learn chess coordinates 5 min read
- Chess notation explained 6 min read
- Blindfold chess: what it trains, and whether it is safe 4 min read
- How to improve chess visualization 5 min read
- Chess square colors: the rule, four anchors and a drill 4 min read
- Learn chess openings with spaced repetition 5 min read
- A daily chess training routine you can keep 6 min read
- Train chess by voice: drills you answer out loud 5 min read