Chess.com University's Prodigy Program

Want your child to be a chess prodigy? Yes? So do we!

*Presenting Chess.com University's Prodigy Program*

This super-coaching program is designed to create chess prodigies out of youth players. Our method is simple and straight-forward. We will give highly instructive chess lessons, homework that lets students practice and review concepts, and guide students in every way. We will fully use Chess.com resources as well as a few chess books to give students a thorough chess education. Most importantly, we will create study schedules that plan out all each student's chess studies to make the learning process as efficient as possible.

While the details are still under considering, here are our thoughts at the moment:

- Taught by Kairav Joshi, Chess.com's best-selling coach and President of Chess.com University, along with other popular Chess.com University instructors including even grandmasters.

- 12 hours of live online classes per month spread out over 8-10 sessions.

- Detailed weekly study plan (an awesome 7-page PDF each week!)

- An online tournament each month.

- A simul each month.

- Students' games analyzed.

- Full email support for parents. Unlimited guidance and tips!

- Class size: at least 40 students.

- Tuition: $150/month per student.

- Have the live lessons on weekends at 10 AM or 11 AM PDT (Pacific Time U.S./Canada) so that the times are convenient for European students too. Students even in Africa and the western half of Asia would find this time acceptable.

Note that this seriously is a prodigy program. Parents who sign up their kids can (and should) expect their children to improve at chess very quickly. We expect all students to become state champions for their age group and strong contenders for national and international titles. I myself have sent an 8-year-old student to the world youth championships and have numerous student competing and winning at the state and national levels. Let me tell you that we can certainly make your child a chess prodigy too!

Our prodigy program will continue for a long time. Students can join in or opt out at any time. We expect that those who study in our program for a few years would end up being among the best players in their age group. But students who only study with us for a few months would still improve by leaps and bounds. Our proposed rate of $150/month offers unbeatable value. With our guided study plan in addition to the live lessons, the amount students learn each month may be equivalent to about 25-30 one-on-one hourly lessons with coaches. If the average skilled coach charges $30/hr, that would cost $900/month!

With Chess.com University, it is $150/month and that is paying for the highest-quality of chess instruction available online. However, as this is incredibly time-consuming for us, we can only start this program if we get at least 40 students.

There are two separate classes we would like to offer: one for those completely new to chess or just learning the rules, and the other for those who are close to 900 USCF/FIDE level.

So what about those who are already, let's say 1300 USCF? Well, they would have to wait until our program starts covering content suitable for that level. This means that those who are more advanced already would join in the program a few months later.

It is probable that this program would take someone who is playing chess for the first time to expert or master level within five years. How is that possible? Like this:

Year 1: 0 --> 1100

Year 2: 1100 --> 1550

Year 3: 1550 --> 1850

Year 4: 1850 --> 2050

Year 5: 2050 --> 2200

Is that really possible? Actually, probable. 12 hours of chess lessons per month with the best chess coaches amounts to 720 hours of fun, amazing, live chess learning in 5 years! Let's add 10 hours of chess homework per week. That's 2,600 hours of studying chess during those 5 years in addition to taking 720 hours of lessons. And don't forget that all of that studying is based on our recommendations meaning it is all highly beneficial studying.

Perhaps, even three or four years would be enough to reach master-level! This indeed is a super-intense program and designed to quickly take beginners all the way up till master level.

Did you know that some universities award scholarships (even full-ride scholarships) for excellence in chess?

Even adults may join the program and try to become masters themselves if they can devote the time and attention that chess mastery requires.

When does this program start? Perhaps on November 1st, 2014 but only if we have enough students. We are not accepting any payments yet. We just wanted to get the word out about our upcoming program.

The details provided in this post are by no means final. We can certainly modify all aspects of the program. Please let us know what you think! Do you like this idea? Would you prefer a less intense program involving 6 to 8 hours of lessons per month? Do you think I'm crazy? :)

Contact me by sending a message on Chess.com or email me at kairavjoshi@chess.com.