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Chess Lessons

Individual lessons cover a structured curriculum that takes a student from Beginning to Intermediate and Advanced levels of play. Lessons are offered both in-person and online. Current affiliated instructors listed on the About page.

Current Lesson Availability with NM Jordan Groff (as of 1/23/24):

STARTS AT:
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
9:30AM
Lesson (Online)
9:45AM
10:00AM
10:15AM
10:30AM

Lesson (Online)

10:45AM
11:00AM

11:15AM

11:30AM
11:45AM
12:00PM


Lesson
(In-Person)


Lesson
(In-Person)

12:15PM
12:30PM
12:45PM
1:00PM
Lesson
(In-Person)
1:15PM
1:30PM
1:45PM
2:00PM
Lesson (Online)
2:15PM
2:30PM
2:45PM
3:00PM
Lesson (Online)
3:15PM
3:30PM
3:45PM
4:00PM
Lesson
(In-Person)
Lesson (Online)
Lesson (Online)
4:15PM
Lesson (Online)
4:30PM
Lesson
(In-Person)
4:45PM
5:00PM
Lesson
(In-Person)
No Lessons Tues 5:00-8:30PM
Lesson (Online)
Lesson (Online)
5:15PM
Lesson
(In-Person)
5:30PM
5:45PM
Lesson
(In-Person)
6:00PM

6:15PM

6:30PM

Adult Classes: Fall,
Winter,
Spring
6:30-8:30PM

https://www.hamden
adulted.com/

Casual Play at PMCA hosted by NM Jordan Groff
6:30-8:30PM
Lesson
(In-Person)
6:45PM
7:00PM
Lesson (Online)
7:15PM
7:30PM
7:45PM
8:00PM  
8:15PM

Times marked "Open" that are unshaded are available; "Lesson" and shaded indicates an existing student and are unavailable

Availability: Individual lessons are available throughout the year, purchased month-to-month. Please email info@PlayMoreChess.com to confirm availability and reserve an available time slot.

Description: Students have one lesson a week, either 45 minutes or 60 minutes in length. Each week chess topics are reviewed and new topics are learned and assigned for the week ahead. Students usually move forward with one or two new topics each week, though the topics and pace are customized based on the goals of the student.

Curriculum:
Play More Chess Academy lessons students, with guidance from their instructor, choose a book to guide their studies based on their interest and goals for chess improvement. PMCA has over 100 books available to choose from but students in the past have frequently chosen from one of the following:

  • Chess4Life Workbook(s) - Sample topics listed on the Classes page.


  • The Chess Tactics Workbook, 4th edition, by Al Woolum; (for beginner/advanced beginner/intermediate players)

  • Learn Chess Tactics by John Nunn. Written by a renowned grandmaster noted for his devasting tactical ability. 160pgs.
  • How to Reassess Your Chess by IM Jeremy Silman. It takes intermediate and advanced students beyond tactics to include more positional understandings and is organized primarily around types of imbalances found in chess games 658pgs.

  • Winning Chess Openings by Yasser Seirawan. An introduction to the moves, strategies, and philosophy of chess openings from one of the world's top chess players. 257pgs.

  • Complete Book of Chess Strategy by IM Jeremy Silman. Provides an encyclopedic description of a lot of openings; guidance on play in the phases of the game and a lot of information about strategy and tactics. 360pgs. Adults students who are returning to chess after a number of years away often like using this book for chess improvement.

Additional Information:
Lessons are purchased in advance, four lessons at a time, on a month-to-month basis. A lesson time-slot is guaranteed as long as monthly payments are current. If student has a schedule conflict, a set of four lessons can be extended to include a fifth week lesson as long as instructor is told in advance (no extensions for no-show lesson).


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Questions? Email: info@PlayMoreChess.com | Phone: 203.680.8456 | Hamden, CT