Prodigy Program December 2014 Package Available
Chess.com University Members:
The December 2014 month of the Prodigy Program is available for purchase and there is some good news (more on that later). This was the first month of the Prodigy Program for the 900 and 1200 sections. Here are the details regarding December's course:
December 2014 Prodigy Program 900 Section
Instructors: Kairav Joshi, FM Dalton Perrine, and NM Dane Mattson.
Guest Instructors: GM Maxim Dlugy and GM Valeriy Aveskulov
Duration of Lessons: More than 14.5 hours of live lessons were recorded and two bonus video lessons were provided for a total of over 15 hours of lessons.
Written Material: Three weekly study guides plus a one page winter break study guide was provided. This totals to 22 pages of study guide material though a few of the days are "rest days" and don't assign new homework. Additionally, two puzzle packets and two concise written lectures titled, "Analytical Thinking Method" and "Essential Endgame Knowledge" were provided.
Events: Students were able to play in one simul and one online tournament when this month of the program was taught live. However, students who purchase the December 2014 package may play in a new simul in November.
900 Section Lessons:
Seminar with GM Maxim Dlugy
Lesson #0 - Detailed Explanation and Solutions to the Placement Exam
Lesson #1 - Elementary Endgames (K R R vs. K and K Q vs. K) with Kairav
Lesson #2 - Basic Endgame Training (Tactics and Calculation) with Dalton
Lesson #3 - Introduction to Tactics, Definitions, and Forcing Moves with Dane
Lesson #4 - Essential Endgame Technique (K B B vs. K) with Kairav
Lesson #5 - Improving at Tactics by Analyzing Forcing Moves with Kairav
Lesson #6 - Analyzing Students' Games for General Improvement with Dane
Lesson #7 - More Game Analysis and Tips for Improvement with Dane
Lesson #8 - Basic Endgame Facts: What's Won, What's Not? with Kairav
Lesson #9 - Instructive Student Game Analysis with Dalton
Lesson #10 - Puzzle Pack Review and Reinforcing Learned Concepts with Kairav
Lesson #11 - What Every Beginner Should Know to Improve with Valeriy
Two Prodigy Program Playthrough Video Lessons with Dalton
Other Videos:
Prodigy Program Orientation
Prodigy Program Conclusion
Sample Study Guide Page:
The December 2014 month of the Prodigy Program is different from other months in that we also gave students the .mp4 recordings of the lessons instead of an online video link. This means that students who purchase the December 2014 package will receive the .mp4 files too so they can store the lessons locally.
The Prodigy Program December 2014 900 Section Recorded Package is available for $150. The package includes the 22 study guide pages, two written lectures, two puzzle packets, over 15 hours of recorded video lessons, and the ability to play in a simul in November.
Note that the 900-level program was described in detail above. The 1200-level program is similar in format and has the same tuition but some of the lesson topics are different.
1200 Section Lessons:
Seminar with GM Maxim Dlugy
Lesson #0 - Detailed Explanation and Solutions to the Placement Exam
Lesson #1 - Elementary Endgames (K R R vs. K, K Q vs. K, K B B vs. K) with Kairav
Lesson #2 - Intermediate Endgame Training (Tactics and Calculation) with Dalton
Lesson #3 - Importance of Analyzing Forcing Moves and Continuations with Dane
Lesson #4 - Overview of Tactics in the Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame with Dane
Lesson #5 - Analyzing Students' Games for General Improvement with Dane
Lesson #6 - Improving at Tactics and Calculation by Analyzing Forcing Moves with Kairav
Lesson #7 - Training Session in Live Chess and Lecture on Converting Advantages with Kairav
Lesson #8 - Instructive Student Game Analysis with Dane
Lesson #9 - Instructive Student Game Analysis with Dalton
Lesson #10 - Puzzle Pack Review and Opening Tactics in the Caro-Kann with Kairav
Lesson #11 - What Every Beginner Should Know to Improve with Valeriy
Two Prodigy Program Playthrough Video Lessons with Dalton
Other Videos:
Prodigy Program Orientation
Prodigy Program Conclusion
Understanding Placement:
The Prodigy Program refers to Elo ratings such as USCF and FIDE when stating the level. The 900 section of the Prodigy Program in December was a 900 Elo and under section. Online ratings on Chess.com are heavily inflated compared to Elo at the lower levels. Hence, those will an online Chess.com rating of about 1300 or lower should go with the 900 section whereas those with online ratings in the 1400-1600 range should go with the 1200 section. Those in between should be fine in either section as the difference between 900 Elo and 1200 Elo is not that large anyway. If you are wanting to purchase the December 2014 package but are not sure about which section to pick, message GeniusKJ on Chess.com or email kairavjoshi@chess.com to request an assessment.
The Good News
Back in December 2014, when we taught the first month of the Prodigy Program for the 900 and 1200 sections, we did not offer any emailed game analysis. This is something we introduced later into the program. But, we now have good news for you. We will also allow students who purchase the December 2014 Prodigy Program package to submit up to two games for emailed analysis and feedback!
Registration:
Are you ready to take your chess skills to the next level? Visit our new online shop and choose which section of December 2014 Prodigy Program package you would like to sign up for.
Here's our shop: http://chess-com-university.myshopify.com/collections/all
Please note that while the new shop is fully functional, it's still work-in-progress.
So what are you waiting for? Start your journey towards chess mastery! If you have any questions about the Prodigy Program, contact us at kairavjoshi@chess.com.
