If you’re an intermediate chess player, finding the appropriate chess course for your skill set can be challenging. After all, most courses are full of information you might already know.
Luckily, there are numerous courses aimed at intermediates. Chessable gives you access to almost all the information available on chess. On the other hand, GothamChess Intermediate Bootcamp has all the basics an intermediate player must know.
For USCF-certified customized coaching, ChessKlub is the best. Though, it’s on the expensive side.
You don’t need to waste more time or money to improve your game and increase your ranking.
In this article, we’ve listed the top 5 best chess courses for intermediate players. So, get ready to start learning. Let’s dive in!
5 Best Chess Courses for Intermediate Players
An intermediate rating is typically between 1200 to 1800. At this level, you’re familiar with all the pieces and fundamental moves of the game.
So, if you want to learn more about the openings, strategies, and tactics, as well as how to evaluate a board position, the following courses might help you:
1. Chessable
Chessable is one of the best places to advance your chess game for intermediates. That’s because it doesn’t include only one course. Instead, you gain access to thousands of lessons and books made by hundreds of chess masters.
In our opinion, the main problem intermediate chess players face is that some of them know tactics, while others are experts on endgames. So, intermediate chess courses aren’t one-size-fits-all.
That’s why Chessable is so great. You can filter the courses that best suit your experience level or what you’re aiming to learn.
Additionally, some courses on Chessable are free. So, you’ll essentially be getting a trial before committing to the tremendous number of courses.
What We Like
- There are thousands of free courses, books, and videos, so you’ll find something suitable regardless of your learning style.
- Each course has a discussion forum, allowing you to connect with other learners.
- The Chessable application allows you to play as you learn and track your progress.
- MoveTrainerfacilitates your learning experience by making it more interactive.
What We Dislike
- There’s no live learning or instructor feedback, as the courses are pre-recorded.
- Some of the courses are expensive.
2. GothamChess Intermediate Bootcamp on Chessly
If you’re a fan of Levy Rozman and have finished all his YouTube videos, you can learn a thing or two from his Intermediate Bootcamp. Not only is Rozman an international chess master, but he’s also an award-winning YouTuber, so he knows how to create engaging and helpful courses.
This course has a bit of everything, such as a series of videos on how to study openings, as well as a quick overview of different types of openings.
That said, if you’re looking for something more specific, there are other excellent courses on Chessly, also by Levy Rozman. For example, the E4 New York Style course is one of the most popular ones.
Though, we find that the Intermediate Bootcamp is great for intermediate players who want to polish up their overall game before going into specific openings and tactics.
What We Like
- You can try a free chapter on Chessly.
- The course is constantly updated based on learners’ feedback.
- Chess offers interactive learning, from quizzes to drills and analysis boards.
- Money-back guarantee within seven days.
What We Dislike
- Some of the course’s content might be redundant if you’ve studied chess before.
- The course is pretty pricey.
3. International Chess School
If you’re looking for distinct advice that’ll surely elevate your game, The International Chess School is for you. The Grandmaster program will turn you into a top-ranking player in only 13 months.
The best part about International Chess School courses is how interactive they are. If you tend to have a lot of unanswered questions, you’ll receive plenty of coaching and support from instructors and top-ranking professionals, at no additional cost.
Though most courses at International Chess School are affordable, they offer plenty of discounts and even monthly programs.
What We Like
- You can study at your own pace, as you’ll have lifetime access to the program.
- You don’t need to commit to any course if you don’t like it, due to the monthly packages available.
- The first professional online chess school with unlimited coaching.
- The courses and lessons’ complexity increases gradually.
What We Dislike
- The lessons are only available in PDF format.
- The material is hard for lower intermediates who’ve never studied chess before.
4. Garry Kasparov Teaches Chess
In this course, you’ll be learning from one of the top chess players in the world. Garry Kasparov, a chess grandmaster, and former World Chess Champion, will teach you everything he has accumulated about chess throughout his career.
The MasterClass course consists of 29 lessons where Kasparov shares some of the strategies that helped him become a six-time world champion. So, whether you’re an intermediate or a professional, you’ll stand to learn something.
After enrolling in the course, you’ll also receive an 86-page workbook to guide you through the video lessons.
What We Like
- The masterclass videos are well-shot and scripted, which significantly improved the learning experience.
- You’ll learn a detailed analysis of Kasparov’s most popular games, from the master himself.
- The course includes one-of-a-kind information that’s not available anywhere else.
- Subscribing to MasterClass gives you access to unlimited chess courses.
What We Dislike
- To continue accessing the materials, you need to pay a monthly fee.
- The course doesn’t cover enough tactics.
5. ChessKlub
ChessKlub is one of the few organizations that the United States Chess Federation (USCF) recognizes. It offers coaches for both beginners and intermediate players of all ages.
Typically, the online courses only have limited spots. Still, you can apply for group sessions any day of the week.
Enrolling in ChessKlub also allows you to be a part of a larger chess community. You can practice with other players and participate in tournaments.
What We Like
- The classes are recorded, so you can still learn even if you miss a session.
- The live lessons are interactive and engaging.
- You can get one-on-one personalized coaching.
- You’ll get access to monthly USCF tournaments.
What We Dislike
- There aren’t any free samples or previews.
- The classes require commitment, which isn’t suitable for casual chess enjoyers.
Wrapping Up
While it might be hard for intermediate chess players to find helpful courses that don’t have repetitive information, you can’t go wrong with any of the top 5 best chess courses for intermediate players on our list.
It never hurts to check out a free sample or preview before enrolling, though. After all, you’ll be spending hours learning chess, so it’s crucial to pick the right one!
