Group Lessons
Every season, Chess A2Z offers structured training for players at every stage of development. Spots are limited, so sign up today!
Chess A2Z is pleased to introduce Endgame Mini Sessions for the training program. This four-session series is designed to progressively develop students’ endgame skills, starting with practical strategic decision-making, moving through essential technical knowledge, and advancing toward precise calculation.
Coaches: International Master Ming Lu and Woman Grandmaster Zoey Tang
Dates: Mondays, 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 12/21
Time: 7:00-8:30 PM Pacific Time
1. Minor-Piece Endgames: Practical Strategy and Planning. Minor-piece endgames often require more strategic understanding than exact calculation. Students will learn to recognize positional advantages and develop plans based on exchanges, piece activity and pawn structure. These general strategic principles also apply to the early stages of rook and pawn endgames. Students will be asked to evaluate unfamiliar positions, identify the stronger side, and propose a clear plan.
2. Rook Endgames: Essential Techniques. Rook endgames combine strategic principles with concrete technical knowledge. Students will learn essential winning and drawing methods that frequently appear in tournament games. Students will be asked to recognize important rook-endgame patterns, demonstrate winning techniques, and find defensive resources.
3. Pawn Endgames: Precision and Calculation. Pawn endgames frequently depend on precise moves. A single tempo can change the result. Students will be asked to calculate exact variations, find the only winning or drawing move, and explain why natural alternatives fail.
4. Endgame Challenges: Putting It All Together. Endgames share common strategic principles, such as piece activity and pawn structure. However, different types of endgames require different approaches.Some are won through sound strategic planning, others through knowledge of techniques, and others through precise calculation. This session will be primarily interactive. Students will be asked to evaluate a variety of endgame positions, choose an appropriate plan, and calculate accurately.
Given the wide range of skill levels, lower-rated students will be asked to focus on finding the best first move and explaining the underlying idea, while more advanced students will be expected to provide deeper analysis and calculate longer variations.
Rating recommendation: USCF 1000+
Registration link: https://chessa2z.org/wu2e
We’re excited to launch our 2026 Fall Training Program starting in September! This fall, Chess A2Z will continue offering structured training for players at every stage of development. Fall 2026 training classes include:
- Beginner (Prerequisite: Know the names of the pieces and how they move) — Coaches: Kavish Dhar, Aarna Dhar
- Level 2 (USCF 200–500) — Coach: Yian Lin
- Level 3 (USCF 500–800) — Coach: Karthik Bimod
- Level 4 (USCF 700–1000) — Coach: National Master (NM) Austin Liu
- Elite 1 (USCF 900–1200) — Coaches: Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Zoey Tang, NM Austin Tang
- Elite 2 (USCF 1200–1500) — Coach: International Master (IM) Ming Lu
- Master Track (USCF 1500+) — Coach: IM Ming Lu
Levels 2 to Elite 2 are capped at 12 students per class. Beginner and Master Track classes are capped at 6 students each. The rating ranges above are for reference only. We are happy to evaluate placement based on a player’s readiness and spot availability. Our coaching team combines years of competitive chess with teaching experience. What sets our program apart is a structured curriculum tailored to each level, weekly graded homework, office hour support, in-class practice tournaments, and a thoughtful long-term approach to chess improvement. Our goal is not only to help students improve their ratings, but also to help them build good thinking habits and a lasting love for the game.
Beginner, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, and Elite 1 (Fridays)
Dates: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20
- Beginner: 5:00pm-5:45pm
- Levels 2 and 3: 5:00pm–6:00pm lecture | Office hour and arena: 6:00pm–7:00pm
- Level 4 and Elite 1: 6:30pm–7:30pm lecture | 7:30pm–8:30pm office hour and arena (Elite 1 students will have in-class tournaments during this time)
Elite 2 and Master Track (Sundays)
Dates: 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/22
- Elite 2: 5:45pm–6:45pm lecture | 6:50pm–7:20pm in-class tournament
- Master Track: 6:50pm–7:20pm in-class tournament | 7:30pm–8:30pm lecture
Tuition
- Beginner: Free
- Levels 2, 3, and 4: $160 | Current students: $120
- Elite 1 and Elite 2: $220 | Current students: $180
- Master Track: $320 | Current students: $280
Registration Link: https://chessa2z.org/xjpg
We’re excited to launch our 2026 Summer Training Program starting in June! This summer, Chess A2Z will continue offering structured training for players at every stage of development. Summer 2026 training classes include:
- Beginner (Prerequisite: Know the names of the pieces and how they move) FULL— Coaches: Kavish Dhar, Aarna Dhar
- Level 2 (USCF 200–500) — Coaches: Karthik Bimod, Neha Narendran
- Level 3 (USCF 500–800) — Coach: Saahil Gupta, Karthik Bimod
- Level 4 (USCF 700–1000) FULL, waiting list— Coach: National Master (NM) Austin Liu
- Elite 1 (USCF 900–1200) FULL, waiting list — Coaches: Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Zoey Tang, NM Austin Tang, NM Ryan Min
- Elite 2 (USCF 1200–1500) FULL, waiting list — Coach: International Master (IM) Ming Lu
- Master Track (USCF 1500+) FULL, waiting list— Coach: IM Ming Lu
Levels 2 to Elite 2 are capped at 12 students per class. Beginner and Master Track classes are capped at 6 students each. The rating ranges above are for reference only. We are happy to evaluate placement based on a player’s readiness and spot availability. Our coaching team combines years of competitive chess with teaching experience. What sets our program apart is a structured curriculum tailored to each level, weekly graded homework, office hour support, in-class practice tournaments, and a thoughtful long-term approach to chess improvement. Our goal is not only to help students improve their ratings, but also to help them build good thinking habits and a lasting love for the game.
Beginner, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, and Elite 1 (Fridays)
Dates: 6/19, 6/26, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31, 8/7, 8/14
- Beginner: 5:00pm-5:45pm
- Levels 2 and 3: 5:00pm–6:00pm lecture | Office hour and arena: 6:00pm–7:00pm
- Level 4 and Elite 1: 6:30pm–7:30pm lecture | 7:30pm–8:30pm office hour and arena (Elite 1 students will have in-class tournaments during this time)
Elite 2 and Master Track (Sundays)
Dates: 6/21, 6/28, 7/19, 7/26, 8/2, 8/9, 8/16,8/23
- Elite 2: 5:45pm–6:45pm lecture | 6:50pm–7:20pm in-class tournament
- Master Track: 6:50pm–7:20pm in-class tournament | 7:30pm–8:30pm lecture
Tuition
- Beginner: Free
- Levels 2, 3, and 4: $130 | Returning students: $100
- Elite 1 and Elite 2: $180 | Returning students: $140
- Master Track: $240
Registration Link: https://chessa2z.org/2prh
We’re excited to launch our 2026 Spring Training Program starting the first week of April! This spring, Chess A2Z will offer training options for players at every stage of development, including:
- Level 2 (USCF rating 200–500)
- Level 3 (USCF rating 500–800)
- Level 4 (USCF rating 700–1000) FULL, Waitinglist
- Elite 1 (USCF rating 1000-1300) FULL, Waitinglist
- Elite 2 (USCF rating 1250+) FULL, Waitinglist
Each level is capped at 12 students so coaches can give every player individual attention. The approximate rating range for each level is for reference only. If you believe you’re ready for the next level, please email us. We’re happy to do an evaluation and adjust placement based on readiness and spot availability. Our coaching team is made up of elite competitive players with years of teaching experience, combining high-level chess understanding with a proven ability to work effectively with students:
- Level 2: USCF Expert Karthik Bimod, Neha Narendran
- Level 3: National Master Austin Liu
- Level 4: Woman Grandmaster Zoey Tang, National Master Austin Tang
- Elite: International Master Ming Lu
- Office hours: National Master Yu-Cheng Liang, National Master Ryan Min, National Master Nicholas Bruha, USCF Expert Saahil Gupta
What sets our program apart is a structured, level-specific curriculum, weekly graded homework, dedicated office hour support to help students review concepts and assignments, and a thoughtful, long-term approach to chess improvement. We look forward to welcoming players to our spring training session.
2026 Spring Training Schedule:
Levels 2, 3, and 4 on Fridays (Level 4 waitlist only):
- Dates: 4/3, 4/10, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/29, 6/5
- Time: 6:30pm–7:30pm lecture, 7:30pm–8:30pm office hour and arena
Elite on Sundays:
- Dates: 4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31
- Time:
- Elite 1 (waitlist only): 5:45pm–6:45pm lecture; 6:50pm–7:20pm in-class tournament
- Elite 2 (waitlist only): 6:50–7:20pm In-class tournament; 7:30–8:30pm Lecture
Registration Link: https://chessa2z.org/3egr
