Morning Classes: 9:00 - 10:30
| Description | Rating Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Crafting Your Ultimate Opening Repertoire Are you ready to elevate your chess game? Many players face the challenge of choosing the perfect openings and often find themselves second-guessing their decisions. But fear not! Discover the secrets to constructing a reliable and consistent opening repertoire that suits your style. Get ready for insights from one of the world’s top experts in chess openings—your journey to mastering the board begins here! | ||
| Learning from Great Champions, Mikhail Botvinnik and Anatoly Karpov Studying champions like Mikhail Botvinnik and Anatoly Karpov provides valuable insights into chess strategy. Botvinnik, the "Patriarch of Soviet Chess," emphasized preparation and positional mastery. Karpov refined these ideas with subtle maneuvering and relentless pressure. Learning from their games fosters not just winning tactics but also deeper thinking, planning, and adaptability—essential skills for success in chess and personal growth. | ||
| Typical Middlegame Positions: Approach, Planning, Strategy, and Execution In middlegame positions, strategic play hinges on evaluating imbalances like pawn structure, piece activity, and king safety. Identify the strongest area of the board and develop plans to improve your worst-placed piece, limit your opponent's options, or apply long-term pressure. Focus on building your position patiently with purposeful moves that support a clear strategic goal. | ||
| Learning to See - Not Calculate A crucial skill is training your mind to recognize positional truths and strategic patterns. Rather than bogging down in complex tactics, strong players emphasize general principles—such as enhancing piece activity and controlling key squares—to guide their decisions. This approach encourages you to take your time and observe the board, focusing on the apparent instead of deep variations. Clear vision cultivates intuitive, informed play based on understanding rather than mere calculation. |
Late Morning Classes: 10:45 - 12:15
| Description | Rating Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic Play Mastering the art of timing is crucial—it's all about knowing when to make bold moves, how to gauge the potential opportunities around you, and identifying that perfect moment to take action. | ||
| Mastering the Endgames: Secrets of King and Pawn Endgames Understanding King and Pawn endgames is essential for improving your chess skills. This course covers key concepts, including opposition, triangulation, and the "square of the pawn," which are necessary for making informed strategic decisions. You’ll learn to navigate complex endgame scenarios with confidence, receive practical advice on identifying critical positions, and enhance your decision-making under time constraints. This course is perfect for anyone looking to boost their endgame knowledge and gain a competitive edge. | ||
| Typical Middlegame Positions: Tactical Play Participants will explore key chess strategies focused on the middlegame phase. This course aims to improve players' understanding of common middlegame positions and the tactical opportunities they present. Through lessons and practical exercises, students will learn to evaluate factors like pawn structure and piece activity, develop effective plans, and recognize tactical motifs. By mastering these concepts, players will be better equipped to navigate complex midgame scenarios and outmaneuver their opponents. | ||
| Understanding Morphy, Steinitz, and Classical Chess Theory This course provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of classical chess principles and the strategies used by legendary players such as Paul Morphy and Wilhelm Steinitz. Morphy played the ideas, Steinitz expanded and defined them, and Lasker articulated them more clearly. Led by FM and FT Kevin Bachler, this course focuses on the foundational theories that have shaped modern chess. The Six Principles of Steinitz will be introduced. This foundation serves as a framework for developing knowledge of openings, middlegames, and attacking principles. By studying selected games, students will encounter simplified examples that will facilitate their understanding of classical chess theory. This will enable them to grasp how these principles create a framework for their own games and the games they examine. |
Afternoon Classes: 1:30 - 3:00
| Description | Rating Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Crafting Your Ultimate Opening Repertoire Are you ready to elevate your chess game? Many players face the challenge of choosing the perfect openings and often find themselves second-guessing their decisions. But fear not! Discover the secrets to constructing a reliable and consistent opening repertoire that suits your style. Get ready for insights from one of the world’s top experts in chess openings—your journey to mastering the board begins here! | ||
| Learning from Great Champions, Mikhail Botvinnik and Anatoly Karpov Studying champions like Mikhail Botvinnik and Anatoly Karpov provides valuable insights into chess strategy. Botvinnik, the "Patriarch of Soviet Chess," emphasized preparation and positional mastery. Karpov refined these ideas with subtle maneuvering and relentless pressure. Learning from their games fosters not just winning tactics but also deeper thinking, planning, and adaptability—essential skills for success in chess and personal growth. | ||
| Typical Middlegame Positions: Approach, Planning, Strategy, and Execution In middlegame positions, strategic play hinges on evaluating imbalances like pawn structure, piece activity, and king safety. Identify the strongest area of the board and develop plans to improve your worst-placed piece, limit your opponent's options, or apply long-term pressure. Focus on building your position patiently with purposeful moves that support a clear strategic goal. | ||
| Learning to See - Not Calculate A crucial skill is training your mind to recognize positional truths and strategic patterns. Rather than bogging down in complex tactics, strong players emphasize general principles—such as enhancing piece activity and controlling key squares—to guide their decisions. This approach encourages you to take your time and observe the board, focusing on the apparent instead of deep variations. Clear vision cultivates intuitive, informed play based on understanding rather than mere calculation. |
Trainer Biographies
Grandmaster Boris Avrukh is a prominent figure in chess, recognized for his achievements as a grandmaster, author, and trainer. Born on February 10, 1978, in Kazakhstan, he became a Grandmaster at 19 and reached a peak FIDE rating of 2668, ranking among the world's top 50 players.
Avrukh has represented Israel in several Chess Olympiads and is respected for his teaching skills, having coached elite players like Vladimir Kramnik and Fabiano Caruana. His training emphasizes comprehensive preparation and strategic clarity, encouraging dynamic playing styles.
As a prolific author, Avrukh's “Grandmaster Repertoire” series has greatly influenced modern opening theory for 1.d4. He co-founded a chess school in Israel and continues to mentor emerging talents worldwide, tailoring his instruction to individual needs.
GM Dmitry Gurevich is a Russian-American chess grandmaster, born on September 11, 1956, in Moscow. He emigrated to the United States in 1980 and earned the Grandmaster title in 1983. Over the decades, Gurevich has built a distinguished competitive record, winning or tying for first in the U.S. Open four times (1988, 1994, 2009, 2012), and claiming top honors in the National Open and U.S. Masters, including a perfect 7.0/7 score in 1996. Gurevich continues to demonstrate his competitive strength, especially in senior events. He won the 2022 U.S. Senior Open
Based in Chicago, Gurevich is a highly respected chess trainer, having coached rising stars such as GM Alex Fishbein, IM Alice Lee, and IM Sam Schmakel.
His teaching emphasizes strategic depth and intellectual discipline, particularly encouraging young players to apply thoughtful reasoning over brute force tactics.
GM Yury Shulman is a Belarusian-American chess grandmaster, educator, and philanthropist, born on April 29, 1975, in Minsk. He earned his Grandmaster title in 1995 and moved to the United States in 1999 to attend the University of Texas at Dallas, where he completed degrees in computer science and business. Shulman quickly became one of the top American players, winning the 2008 U.S. Chess Championship, tying for first in the 2010 U.S. Championship, and representing the U.S. in multiple Olympiads and World Team Championships.
Beyond his competitive achievements, Shulman is widely respected for his teaching excellence. He founded the Yury Shulman International Chess School and co-founded Chess Without Borders, a nonprofit that blends chess education with global philanthropy.
In 2011, Shulman was named Chess Educator of the Year for his contributions to chess instruction. His teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and personal growth, enabling students to discover new strategies through collaborative learning.
His programs have reached thousands of students across schools, camps, and community initiatives, and he continues to advocate for chess as a powerful educational tool.
Kevin Bachler is a FIDE Master and certified FIDE Trainer with over 45 years of experience coaching chess players of all ages. He founded the nationally recognized Caveman Chess organization and the Caveman Chess Center in Park Ridge, Illinois.
Bachler has led teams to 13 state titles and three national championships, achieving impressive records, including 23 consecutive tournament wins and a 27-1 record in high school match play. His students have competed in prestigious events, including the U.S. Junior Championship, and his summer camps are among the largest in the country.
Recognized for his focus on fundamentals and tactical clarity, Bachler is one of the few in the U.S. with USCF Professional Coach Level V certification and FIDE Trainer status. Peers applaud his ability to transform casual clubs into competitive teams.
Today, he continues to mentor students and organize events, emphasizing accessibility and inclusion, including efforts with blind players through Caveman Chess Charities. His legacy lies in both the trophies and the lives he has influenced through his dedication to chess.