Earn every rank.
Eight books take a learner from the first move to Black. The method is written to run from the page: every session is planned minute by minute, and every answer is printed.
Read it at home, or teach it at your site.
For learners and families
Each Student Book is one twelve-week cycle: five chapters, five STEM labs, practice with answers, and a Family corner in every chapter.
- Every book has a free look-inside sample, and each book is printed on demand and shipped by the printer.
- No chess experience is needed to begin: Square One starts from zero.
For clubs, schools, libraries and coaches
A site licence gives a club, school provider, library or coach the instructor books, the Rank Day papers and the right to award the eight ranks.
- Apply online; payment details come with the licence.
- The instructor books are printed with the site's name and mailed.
- A licence includes the readiness check, the observation form and a calibration set with its key.
Pick a rank. See what it teaches.
The four tiers hold two ranks each: White and Yellow, Orange and Green, Blue and Purple, Brown and Black. No rank is skipped, except by the placement rule at entry.
Open the book. Teach the rank.
A licence does not include training, visits, calls or workshops: the materials are written to be used without them.
Every session, minute by minute
The method is written to run from the page: every session is planned minute by minute, and every answer is printed.
Every answer on the page
The Instructor Edition shows every Student Book page with its notes and answers, and is written so that a teacher who has never played can prepare to teach White and Yellow.
One Rank Day standard
One instructor runs and scores Rank Day, on the same rubrics and pass rules at every site. Every report is scored on the same rubrics and pass rules.
Checks you run yourself
A site confirms its own instructor with written checks and keys: a readiness check (18 of 20 to pass), one observed session, and a calibration within one level on 10 of 12 anchor samples.
One book for every rank.
White Belt Student Book
Yellow Belt Student Book
Orange Belt Student Book
Green Belt Student Book
The 60-second challenge.
White to play and mate in one. The three positions are completely solved: in each, one move and only one gives mate.
Play the challengeQuestions people ask
Who is it for?
The Eight Ranks Method is a belt-ranked chess curriculum for learners aged 6 to adult. No chess experience is needed to begin: Square One starts from zero. Children and adults can share one room: the Mixed-Rank Room Guide shows how.
Is there a real belt?
The eight colours are the names of the ranks, not something to wear: no belt, bracelet, band, pin or token is given. Each rank earned is recorded by a printed certificate and the Rank Progress Report.
Do I need to play chess to teach it?
For White and Yellow, a teacher needs no playing strength: the Teacher's Chess Companion, Foundation, holds the chess, and the Instructor Edition has every answer. Higher tiers add their own written check.
Does it count for school?
Not issued, approved or endorsed by the New York State Education Department or any school district. Schools decide how to use its reports.