Beginner 
Designed to teach chess to children who have little or no knowledge of the game.  Learn the basics, including set-up, game objective, rules, piece movement and capture, and some beginning strategies.  Have a chess board in front of you and  actively participate in each lesson.  Compile a skills check list throughout the course which will lay a foundation for later study and prepare them for competitive play.
Prerequisite:  None; we recommend that a parent accompany children in 1st grade and under.

Advanced Beginner
For children who have had some experience playing chess and are ready for tournament play. Develop your game by learning beginning tactics and strategies such as forks, skewers, p8ins, etc.  Focus on developing a basic plan, including openings/opening traps and basic checkmates.  Simple analysis of historically important chess games will reinforce the lessons presented.  Learn USCF rules and etiquette.
Prerequisite:  Successful completion of MASCA Beginner Course or USCF rating of 500 - 1000.

Intermediate 
Learn to utilize more complex tactical themes within strategies.  Combine beginning strategies and further develop your strategic plan, employing tactics such as removing the guard, perpetual control of the center, and tactical overloading.  Learn the importance of the strategies and tactics by studying examples from classic chess games.
Prerequisite:  Successful completion of MASCA Advanced Beginner Course or USCF rating of 700 - 1200.

Advanced
Designed for students who already have a firm foundation of chess tactics and strategies and who desire more advanced instruction.  Emphasis will be placed on endgame strategies and tactical combinations to increase the likelihood of a win.  In this advanced study, examine the games of world champions Steinitz and Capablanca.
Prerequisite:  Successful completion of MASCA Intermediate Course or USCF rating of 1200 - 1500.