Chess Tutor

The Chess Tutor is a Windows program for learning chess, based on the Steps method by Brunia / van Wijgerden. It brings a new dimension to learning chess: it has solid pedagogical foundations, and it is effective and fun. It is an ideal starting point for children (8 years and older) and adults of all ages — a fact already confirmed many thousands of times.

The Chess Tutor runs on all computers with Windows XP up to Windows 10 and is suitable for children from 8 years and all adults.

Chess Tutor Step 1

In the first step, the elementary knowledge that every successful chess player needs is acquired. The early stages present easily comprehensible steps and exercises, immediately assimilated through play. In the Chess Tutor the Steps method is complemented by many new activities for learning and practice. None of the chess positions and practice exercises in the program have been published before, meaning even those who know the Steps method books will discover much that is new.

Step 1 contains 23 lessons, 1800 exercises and 66 games.

Chess Tutor Step 2

The second step covers the basic rules of tactics and positional play. You will learn many attacking patterns and techniques to win material.

Step 2 contains 21 lessons, 1960 exercises and 84 games.

Chess Tutor Step 3

In the third step you learn about important opening principles and elementary endings. Then comes an introduction to finding a plan and a broadening and deepening of your knowledge of tactics.

Step 3 contains 23 lessons, 2150 exercises and 93 games.

What changed compared to the old Tasc Chess Tutor?

  • A chess engine runs in the background. The old Tasc Tutor could not play chess, which of course was an enormous failing. Every reply from the user had to be anticipated. The sheer numbers involved usually led to only the answer "The answer is wrong". Now the response is much more flexible ("The king is in check, but Black still has a move.") and the computer demonstrates the reply.
  • Thanks to the chess engine, knowledge that has just been acquired can be put to use. Positions can be played out and even complete games can be played. In Step 1 even a beginner is able to win, because the engine plays badly yet in an intelligent way.
  • A special chess program was developed for the games in Step 1: games without kings, trapping pieces, collecting coins, etc.
  • Over the years, the print version of the Steps method has also changed. Many new exercises have been added to the extra booklets, exercises that are not only useful but also fun. Exercises of this sort (e.g. the route planner) have also been included in the Tutor.
  • Every step now contains much more material. Every lesson (except the first 6 in step 1) consists of: an introduction, basic exercises, games, extra exercises, tests and the opportunity to play games of chess.
  • The graphics capabilities of computers have leapt forward. Good use is made of this in the Tutor — graphic symbols, numbers and letters support the learning process.

Download demos

Judge for yourself and download a demo of Step 1, 2 or 3. An instruction lesson, a few exercises and a game give a good impression of the possibilities. The download is approximately 31 MB.

More information (screenshots, developers) is available on Chess Tutor.

Availability and ordering

Steps 1, 2 and 3 of the Chess Tutor are available in Dutch, English, German, French (Step 1 and 2 only) and Portuguese. CDs are also available in English, German, French (Step 1 and 2 only), Dutch and Portuguese. Higher steps will not be made.

The price is € 19.95. The download version offers cheaper licence options.

Ordering the download version can be done in several ways: