Six levels, taken in order
The curriculum
How the ladder works
Every student is assessed before placement, including students who have played for years elsewhere. We are not checking what has been covered but what can be used under time pressure — a different question that usually gives a different answer. Promotion is decided on evidence: assessment positions, recent games, and whether the student is consistently doing the thing rather than knowing about it.
Lumina stands out
At Lumina, we grow connections and minds with chess, friendly games, and a warm, inviting lounge for all
Choose us today
We bring people together to share, learn, and enjoy strategy games in a comfortable, friendly setting
Our guiding principles
We foster inclusivity, growth, and respect, making every guest feel at home and eager to return
Join Lumina family
Lumina brings chess fans and board gamers together to enjoy learning, laughter, and lasting friendships
The six levels
Taken in order, first rules to tournament preparation
Monthly
Yearly
Level 1 — First Moves
Begins with an empty board and ends with a student who can play a complete, legal game and write it down afterwards. Each piece is introduced on its own and given time before the next arrives
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New to chess, usually age 5+
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Rules and basic checkmates
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1 session per week
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Absolute beginners
Level 2 — First Wins
Knowing the rules and winning a game are different skills. This level is about finishing: forcing mate with heavy pieces, seeing mate in one from any piece on the board, and handling the opening without falling over in twelve moves.
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Ages 6+ · after Level 1 or equivalent
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3 months · 24 sessions
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In person or online · 60 min
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1–2 sessions per week
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Advanced beginners
Level 3 — Tactics & Open Games
The level where results move. Students drill the tactical motifs that decide most club games until they are recognised rather than calculated, and pair them with a first repertoire in the open games.
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Roughly 800–1400
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6 months · 48 sessions
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Small group or one-to-one · 75 min
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Intermediate
Level 4 — Endgames & Closed Openings
The half of the game most club players never study, taught properly. Students leave able to convert an extra pawn and to hold a position a weaker player would lose, then build a repertoire against queen's pawn openings.
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Roughly 1300–1700
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6 months · 48 sessions
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Small group or one-to-one · 75 min
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Advanced
Level 5 — Combinations & Sharp Lines
Tactics stop being one-move patterns and become multi-move combinations. Alongside them, the sharpest opening complexes in modern practice — the ones where a single move order matters.
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Roughly 1600–2000
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6 months · 48 sessions
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One-to-one, often with a titled coach · 90 min
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Advanced
Level 6 — The Classics
A year spent inside the games that built modern chess. Students learn a library of classic games by heart, reconstruct them from memory on an empty board, and finally identify them from a position alone — the way strong players carry openings, plans and endings around with them
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2000+, or by invitation
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1 year · 96 sessions
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One-to-one with a GM or IM · 90 min
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Master track
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Batch timings (provisional — to be confirmed)
| Batch | Levels | Days | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batch A | 1–2 | Days TBC | Time TBC | Centre |
| Batch B | 3–4 | Days TBC | Time TBC | Centre |
| Batch C | 5–6 | Days TBC | Time TBC | Centre |
| Batch D | 1–3 | Days TBC | Time TBC | Online |
| Batch E | 4–6 | Days TBC | Time TBC | Online |
All timings and fees are provisional and will be confirmed before enrolment.
Lumina stands out
At Lumina, we grow connections and minds with chess, friendly games, and a warm, inviting lounge for all
Choose us today
We bring people together to share, learn, and enjoy strategy games in a comfortable, friendly setting
Our guiding principles
We foster inclusivity, growth, and respect, making every guest feel at home and eager to return
Join Lumina family
Lumina brings chess fans and board gamers together to enjoy learning, laughter, and lasting friendships