Designing a Chess

Training Program

Jeffrey D. Cabanes
Chess Developmental Instructor, PCTAP
Arbiter I, CAUP
 “Chess is a miniature version of life. To be
successful, you need to be disciplined, assess
resources, consider responsible choices and
adjust when circumstances change.”

- Susan Polgar
Who can be a chess coach/ trainor?

● Masters?
● Chess players?
● Enthusiasts/ Hobbyists?
● Arbiters?
● Tournament Managers?
 O U !
Y
What is a Training Program?

a set of drills, exercises, and activities

designed to give athletes a specialized
training plan to help achieve peak
performance

may be intended for individual or team

Why do we need a TP?

1. systematic
2. efficiency
3. scientific
4. standard
What are the components of a
Training Program?
1. physical
2. technical
3. tactical
4. psychological
Physical
- yourself

“Your body has to be in top condition.

Your Chess deteriorates as your body does.
You can’t separate body from mind”.
- Bobby Fischer
Physical
Technical
knowledge
“The true science of martial arts
means practicing them in such a way that
they will be useful at any time, and to
teach them in such a way that they will be
useful in all things”
- Miyamoto Musashi
 Important Terms
Study Tactics
Middlegame
Opening Endgame
Notation

Checkmate Analysis/Evaluation

Visualization/ Calculation Strategy

Essential Factors in Chess

● Knowledge on the game

● Time
● Opponent
● Yourself
Tactical
- skills

“Strategy requires thought, tactics

require observation”.
- Max Euwe
 Tactical Themes
Elementary Intermediate
● Pin ● Removing the Guard
● Fork ● Distracting
● Skewer ● Decoying
● Discovered Attack ● Discovered Attack
● Opening of a File, Rank, or File
● Clearing the Space
● Blockade
● Demolition of Pawn Structure
● Cutting Lines
Playing

• Opening
• Middlegame
• Endgame
• Checkmate

Training
Skills to Enhance

1.Fundamentals
2.Basic Capturing
3.Tactics
4.Endgame
5.Opening
TheTrainer/Coach
1. know
a) the game
b) the athlete (S and W)
2. design a program that is suited to
the needs of the athlete
3. make an assessment and feedback
4. adjust when necessary
Psycological
- state of mind
Before
During
After
“I believe that winning
requires a constant and strong
psychology not just at the board
but in every aspect of your life”.
- Garry Kasparov
Psychological Warfare
How to Make an Effective TP
1. Assess (know)
2. Aim (goal/ desired outcome)
3. Seek Resources
4. Design (STP)
5. Transfer (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities)
6. Evaluate (tune up games, tournaments,
competition)
7. Improve (adjust)
Chess (Daily)
Chess (Weekly)
 E o r
TRU
A L SE
F
TRUE or FALSE #1

Checkmate is the first concept of

the game you should teach your
player.

TRUE
TRUE or FALSE #2

The player is the center of your

Training Program

TRUE
TRUE or FALSE #3

The coach/trainor is not part of a

Training Program

FALSE
TRUE or FALSE #4

Only strong/ titled chess players

are qualified to become coach/
trainor.

FALSE
TRUE or FALSE #5

With a TP, the player may train

even in the absence of the coach/
trainor.

TRUE
TRUE or FALSE #6

You will have your certificate of

training EVEN WITHOUT a
Training Program output.
E !
L S
FA
Thank You!
Removing the Guard
Distracting
Decoying
Discovered Attack
Opening a File, Rank, or Diagonal
Clearing the Space
Blockade
 Demolition of Pawn Structures

1. White mates/Black mates 2. White wins/Black wins 1. White mates/Black mates 2. White wins/Black wins
 Cutting Lines

1. W/B 2. W/B 1. W/B 2. W/B

Opening (General Principles)
a. Control the center with pawns
b. Develop knights before bishops
c. Castle early
d. Do not move the same piece twice, only when necessary
e. Do not put out the queen too early
f. As much as possible refrain from playing pawn moves
such as h3, a3, a6, and h6.
g. Be alert of the opponent’s threats
h. After castling use your rook to influence the center.
Endgame

● Less material is on the board

● Players lend themselves to EXACT calculation
● The relative values of the pieces are changed
● Material advantages are emphasized
● It is often desirable not to move
● The active participation of the King is required
Checkmate

● Linear mate
● Arabian mate
● Crisscross mate
● Smothered mate
● Back Rank mate
● Militant mate
 Analysis/Evaluation
● Concrete analysis
○ when we think of moves and try what we see in our calculation

○ done when it is OUR turn to move

● General analysis
○ when we ask ourselves how to continue

○ normally done when it is YOUR OPPONENT’s turn to move