LEVEL 2 LESSONS (NEW VERSION) - TEMPORARY MENU

Class 4 Lesson/Quiz 1: Chess Notation
Learn more about chess notation in this lesson. Soon you'll be able to read chess books and write down the moves of your games as well as being able to answer the harder quiz questions.

Class 4 Lesson/Quiz 2: Scholar's Mate Part 1
Scholar's Mate is important for many reasons. It happens over and over again in beginners' games so you have to know it. You'll also learn about attacking the weak f7 square and how pieces can work together in an attack.

Class 4 Lesson/Quiz 3: Scholar's Mate Part 2
It's even more important to know how to STOP Scholar's Mate, and how to beat opponents who bring their queen out too soon. Find out more here - and beware the executioner's axe!

Class 4 Lesson/Quiz 4: Further Opening Principles
It's so important to get the first few moves right. In this lesson you'll learn the basic principles of opening play so that you can start your games correctly.

Class 4 Lesson/Quiz 5: Learning About Forks
Tactics based on double attacks are the cornerstone of winning chess. In this lesson you learn about forks - where a piece creates two threats in different directions at the same time.

Class 4 Lesson/Quiz 6: Learning About Pins & Skewers
You can also create two attacks in the same direction with the same piece - these can be pins or skewers - more vital tactical ideas for you to learn.

Class 4 Lesson/Quiz 7: King & Queen Checkmate
A knowledge of basic endings is essential. Everyone needs to know how to checkmate with King and Queen against King. Find out more here.

Class 5 Lesson/Quiz 1: The Fatal Diagonal
Many quick wins happen because of a Queen check on the e1-h4/e8-h5 diagonal. Study this lesson to learn how to win - and how not to lose quickly in this way.

Class 5 Lesson/Quiz 2: The Black Queen's Walkabout
If you waste a lot of time with your Queen in the opening your King will probably die a horrible death. That's what happened to Black in this lesson.

Class 5 Lesson/Quiz 3: Your First Openings
The best openings have names, and have been studied in some cases for hundreds of years. Here are some openings for you to learn and understand.

Class 5 Lesson/Quiz 4: Queen Forks
Many games are won (and lost) by Queen forks. In this lesson you'll learn all about how to find - and defend against - Queen forks in your games.

Class 5 Lesson/Quiz 5: Back Rank Mates
The Back Rank Mate is one of the most important checkmating tactics. Learn how to win - and how not to lose - with the Back Rank Mate.

Class 5 Lesson/Quiz 6: Discovered Attacks
The Discovered Attack is another important tactical idea which involves two pieces creating threats at the same time. Find out more here.

Class 5 Lesson/Quiz 7: King & Rook Checkmate
The most common endings are those with just Rooks and Pawns, and they often end up with King and Rook against King. Learn how to get checkmate with King and Rook here.

Class 6 Lesson/Quiz 1: The Double Freddie
Here's an attacking plan which will bring you a lot of quick victories with both White and Black. Make sure you know it - and how to stop it.

Class 6 Lesson/Quiz 2: Explosion on f7
You already know about the weakness of f7/f2 at the start of the game. There are many ways to win quickly by using this weakness. Find out more here.

Class 6 Lesson/Quiz 3: The Italian Game
Learn about another good way to start the game in this lesson. There are many ways for Black to go wrong in this opening. If you take the time to study it you'll win lots of games.

Class 6 Lesson/Quiz 4: The Fork Trick
This is a tactical idea which you can often use in the opening. It won't win the game for you but if you use it at the right time you'll get a good position.

Class 6 Lesson/Quiz 5: The Two Knights Defence
If White moves his Bishop to c4 on move 3, Black can choose the Italian Game or the more aggressive Two Knights Defence. Learn all about it here.

Class 6 Lesson/Quiz 6: Decoy & Destroy
Learn how to get rid of enemy defenders - by decoying or destroying them - and win your opponent's pieces with these tactical ideas.

Class 6 Lesson/Quiz 7: Pawn Endings (1)
You can't understand chess until you understand endings, and you have to start by understanding King and Pawn endings. Here are the basics: King and Pawn against King.