Course Description

Introduction to Chess provides new or beginning students of chess a strong foundation in the rules and strategies needed to play the game of chess. The course is designed for students with little to no experience with chess.

The course begins with a brief history of the game of Chess. It then introduces the student to the board and pieces, explaining through interactive lessons, quizzes, videos and games how each piece moves. A full chess game is built up through the nine chapters, with students trying to defeat a computerized Johns Hopkins Blue Jay in chess at the end of every chapter. The last two chapters have the students play against the computer  in full chess games of varying difficulty. The course ends with general tactics and strategies to improve the student’s game.

Instructors are available to meet with students to help them develop their chess skills through weekly online coaching sessions. In addition to teaching the rules of the game and the basic strategy, instructors also teach important opening concepts, recognition of tactical themes, calculation of material exchanges, and elementary endgame knowledge. Students can also participate in training games with their assigned instructor or casual games with other students in  weekly online chess clubs.

In addition to learning the fundamentals of chess, this course will promote the growth and development of skills in concentration, logic, decision making, planning, and self-discipline.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Read and write the algebraic notation for chess moves.
• Correctly place pieces on the board to set up of a game of chess and know the legal moves of each piece.
• Understand and explain how a game of chess can end in either checkmate or a stalemate.
• Understand and perform the strategies for basic openings and end games.
• Competently attack the opponent’s king while defending their own king.