Guides
Read it, then drill it.
Each guide answers one question and ends at the drill that trains it. No account needed for either.
Coordinates · Guide
How to learn chess coordinates
Learn and memorize the coordinates by naming squares out loud, two minutes a day: eight anchor squares first, then random ones. It takes a week or two.
5 min read Read
Notation · Guide
Chess notation explained
Algebraic chess notation on one page: files and ranks, piece letters, captures, check, castling, promotion, a worked opening and four exercises.
6 min read Read
Coordinates · Guide
Blindfold chess: what it trains, and whether it is safe
Blindfold chess is not dangerous for an amateur playing one game; it is tiring. What it trains, how long it takes to learn and how to start in the browser.
4 min read Read
Coordinates · Guide
How to improve chess visualization
A five-stage method for chess visualization: square names, square colours, knight routes and diagonals, short blindfold sequences, then calculating lines.
5 min read Read
Coordinates · Guide
Chess square colors: the rule, four anchors and a drill
a1 is a dark square and h1 is light, so each player has light on the right. For any square, add the file number to the rank: even is dark, odd is light.
4 min read Read
Openings · Guide
Learn chess openings with spaced repetition
When to start on openings, how many lines you need below club level, and how spaced repetition with review dates keeps them in memory. Three are free.
5 min read Read
Training · Guide
A daily chess training routine you can keep
A 20 minute daily chess training routine for adult beginners: coordinates, five puzzles, one opening line, a lesson or endgame, and when to play games.
6 min read Read
Voice · Guide
Train chess by voice: drills you answer out loud
How chess training by voice works in the browser: say the square, colour or move and the drill checks you. Which browsers work and what you can say.
5 min read Read