TASC Tutor Chess Software

The TASC Chess tutorial is a completely new and different way of learning to play (better) chess. Not from a book, but interactively with a PC. The computer assumes the role of teacher and coach and not only keeps score of the pupil's results, but evaluates and advises as well.

A well-known teaching program

The chess tutorial is based on the training method developed by Rob Brunia and Cor van Wijgerden. It uses the same notions and structure. The "Brunia-Van Wijgerden" method has been employed to instruct thousands of children and adults in Holland and around the world. The method has been adapted especially for use in a computer-program and all exercises have been revised by original author IM Cor van Wijgerden.

Five steps

The tutorial is divided in a series of steps with increasing difficulty. To advance, the student should have completed and understood the preceding subjects. Progress is checked with tests and, if necessary, the student will be directed to re-examine a subject before proceeding.

The five steps currently available

Step 1: Rules and basic skills
Step 2: Winning material, the chess notation
Step 3: Basic combinations, basic strategy, king and pawn vs king
Step 4: Combinations, queen vs pawn, weak pawns, kings attack
Step 5: Advanced combinations, positional features, specific endings

The complete 5 step tutorial is included on the TASC Chess CD.

Instruction and practice

A step consists of a number of lessons, each with a clear and well-defined theme. The theme is explained in an instruction, by means of text, positions and animations. The student can work through the instruction at his own speed, allowing to become well acquainted with the matter, without the risk of getting bored.
To practice the newly acquired knowledge, a lesson has several exercise sections, each consisting of ten exercises. To evaluate one's progress, a score is kept. Different kinds of assistance in answering a question are available, but using them or taking too much time lowers the score. If the final score in a section is insufficient, the student will be directed to a previous lesson to refresh his knowledge and skill, before trying again.
With the TASC chess tutorial students can learn and study chess individually and independently with a minimum of supervision. Disciplined and serious use guarantees steady progress and increased satisfaction from the game of chess.

System requirements