Opening training by stage

Principles, then a simple system, then a real repertoire, then preparation.

The opening is where students most want to spend time and where it pays least below 1500. Keep opening work proportional: understanding plans matters more than memorising moves, and every hour on theory is an hour not spent on tactics or endgames.

By stage

• Beginner: three principles (centre, develop, castle) and how to punish early queen attacks. No named openings needed.
• Below 1000: one open game per colour (e.g. Italian or Scotch with White, 1...e5 with Black). Learn the first five or six moves and the typical tactics.
• Below 1500: a fixed repertoire written down. Know the plans and the pawn structures that arise, and check the student’s games for where they leave the repertoire.
• Below 2000: main lines with understanding; annotated model games for each opening; first contact with an engine for checking lines.
• Professional: repertoire files, novelties, opponent-specific preparation, surprise weapons.

Working method

• Enter the student’s repertoire in the Repertoire tab and drill it — the app plays the opponent’s moves and asks for the student’s.
• After each tournament, check where the student deviated from the repertoire and whether it cost points.
• Use the opening explorer to compare the student’s moves with master practice in the same position.
• Replay model games in the openings you teach; the plans are learned from games, not from move lists.