Chess Steps Coaching Programme

Structured chess coaching at Knights of Éanna using the internationally established Chess Steps programme.

Our 2026/27 programme consists of 15 classroom-based lessons, divided into three blocks of five lessons across the playing season.

When & Where?

When?
Friday evenings at 7:15pm - 15 lessons over the season.
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The programme is divided into three blocks of five lessons, spaced across the 2026/27 chess season. The first five lessons take place before Christmas.

Players can book the first five-lesson block initially or reserve their place for the full 15-lesson programme.

Where?
Knights of Éanna Chess Club, Coláiste Éanna, Hillside Park, Ballyroan Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, D16 E248

What is Chess Steps?

A structured way to improve your chess.

Chess Steps is a structured chess teaching programme used by chess clubs and schools internationally.

Rather than a series of unrelated coaching sessions, players work progressively through a planned curriculum, with each Step building on skills learned previously.Lessons combine coach-led teaching with exercises from the Chess Steps programme.

The method places particular emphasis on tactical awareness, calculation, pattern recognition and gradually developing stronger chess understanding.

Knights of Éanna coaches will be using the official Chess Steps teaching manuals and course materials throughout this classroom-based programme.

Course Fees

Book your Coaching

Ratings are only a rough guide. Chess Steps is progressive, and a player's thorough understanding of the material in the previous Steps is more important than reaching a particular rating.

NOTE: The dates of lessons may be different for each of the programmes.

Further Information on the Steps

Step 1:
For players at the beginning of their chess development. Step 1 develops the essential skills needed to play confidently, including attacking and defending pieces, check and checkmate, winning material and basic tactical patterns.

Step 2:
For players who are comfortable with the fundamental rules and basic tactics and are ready to develop stronger calculation and tactical awareness. Topics include double attacks, pins, eliminating defenders, mating patterns, opening principles and basic pawn endings.

Step 3:
For established club players who already have a good grasp of the tactical foundations covered in the earlier Steps and are ready to develop deeper calculation, combinations and more advanced chess understanding.

Step 4:
For stronger club players ready to work on more complex tactical and positional ideas. Step 4 introduces subjects including deeper calculation, attacking the king, weak pawns, material advantage, endgame strategy, mini-plans and positional decision-making.

Booking Form

More questions?

If you have any questions or issues signing up, please let us know and reach out by email.