Chess.com University Class Suggestions

Once a year or so we offer a free seminar.

Will there be the possibility of any material in CU (Chess.com University) being integrated into Game Analysis, [?Tactics Trainer?] or Chess Mentor, in the future?

@Josiah14, our college-like courses make full use of Chess.com's features such as tactics trainer, video lessons, chess mentor, computer workout, etc. The courses are described here:

http://www.chess.com/news/chesscom-university-course-listings-page-3700

1.Make the exams placements/ results free so people can be driven to improve their style.

2. Is there a way to get an Official ELO from chess.com (to be recognized either by USCF or FIDE) ? If so I'm willing to pay.

3. try to use the HITRECORD way of teaching/learning chess.

What about classes for players in the 1500 - 1800 ELO rating range? What topics would you be interested in?

This is the range that I fall in, end games to a point followed by some openning of your choice.  Would like to learn Bogo and Nimzo Indian

Consider Reassess your Chess by Silman.  I love this book.  To briefly list topics:

1. Endgames

2. Planning -What is a plan?

3. Combinations 

4. Bishops and Knights

  Generally, a focus on positional understanding would be great.  Weak squares, open files, pawn structures, etc.

Thanks!

@flatseven,

I believe you're referring to the SLP chat room? If so, it's not ideal to compare that to other Chess.com University offerings. The SLP is free in July and has thousands of students which makes the chat room a bit chaotic at time, I admit.

The class sizes are fine in general with the free July SLP being the exception. Even the SLP class sizes should be fine starting in August.

I see what you mean.  I'll have to check out some other classes in that case.

I am having trouble getting out of the 500-600 range.  

Any suggestions?

Hi Linda,

Yes! If you can message me your phone number or email address we can have a conversation about it! We can definitely help you get far, far beyond the 500-600 level, guaranteed!

Firstly save the uk chess challenge. Secondly get a book like chess blue prints for middle games. Thirdly don't study chess up to 3 in the night cos that's just  sad. Fourthly analyse your games. Fifthly get chessbase. Sixly play chess. Senventhly, get a chessboard. Eightly get a set of chess pieces. And now the most important message is:Get Fundemental chess openings. Read 10 times and memorize the book. After all that's what bobber fishy s advice is. And now for the secret chess jewel: Memorize chess books.

==> Improve usability, organization, and communication.

I like Chess.com overall, which is why I'm giving the Prodigy Program a try. But I am disappointed that the Prodigy Program, and most importantly, Chess.com University as a whole, lacks organization, coherence, and effective communication with current or future students. 

For example, LindaJKnutson asked an excellent question 6 weeks ago, "Does the Chess University have a description of all it's courses in one place organized by class level or some convenient criteria?"

The response was: "...at the moment we don't have the features needed to organize that information in one place."

Why is that? 

I can only surmise that Chess.com management does not fully support Chess.com University. If they did, such a simple feature would have been in place a long time ago. 

GeniusKJ - You come across as sincere, committed, and desirous of creating an effective teaching and learning environment. But you are listed as a 'Contributor' on the Chess.com About Us page, not a member of 'The Team', which makes me wonder:

• Are you the only staff member for Chess.com University?
• Are you a salaried employee, part-time contractor, or volunteer?
• Are there any employees who support you, or work exclusively on Chess.com University? (I am assuming not.)

I don't expect you to answer all those questions, some of which are personal. My point is that one person cannot run a an online educational program. You need a dedicated staff with education and training in online adult education (I say 'adult' since there is ChessKid.com, which, by the way, does receive the kind of dedicated support I"m talking about), a passion for chess, and all the technical experts to create an easy-to-understand, efficient, and rewarding interface. 

I will cross-post this to the Feedback forum in the hopes that Jay, Erik, PeterDoggers, MikeKlein, DanielRensch, and/or others will respond. 

Many thanks,

Mark

@dyspwdm

You are right and spot-on about many things and we are working to fix that right now! We just launched ChessUniversity.com! :)

I ask you, Linda, and our other eager prospective students to bare with me for another month or two while I get our whole new website ready for you! The "group" for Chess.com University doesn't give me the tools I need to address the above concerns we decided to start working on ChessUniversity.com.

While our usability, organization, and communication needs improvement, which will happen through this new web portal very soon, the Prodigy Program itself is the best chess learning program that exists as far as content and instruction is concerned. I expect to solve the problems you outlined by November.

Thanks for your understanding!

Kairav

Understood and appreciated Kairav! 

Thank you so much for your fast, thoughtful response.

All the best,

Mark

Another thought for you:

It would be great if there were a "Resources" section, a repository of videos/articles/etc that are always available to the students of Chess University, are useful to anyone but that a particular student may not yet know about... and which add value to the fees students pay to Chess U. For example, videos on using the Chess.com analysis board to greatest benefit; on time controls; on the basics of how to find, prepare for, and compete in a live OTB chess tournament; and several other topics.

These and other similar resources are things that would only need to be prepared once, but would be potentially quite valuable to most students who ever cross Chess University's virtual doors.

Interesting