Weekly Online Chess Courses

Climb the Rating Ladder Classes

(and Chess Foundations classes for newly developing tournament players)

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1
Live Instruction Interactive lessons with experienced chess coaches
2
Meaningful Practice Develop skills through games, exercises, and analysis
3
Rating-Based Groups Learn alongside students at a similar level
4
Online Access Join from anywhere in the United States

Online Course Schedule

Compare the recommended rating ranges, meeting days, class times, and instructors for all DMV Chess online courses.

Course Rating Range Day Time Instructor
Chess Foundations Unrated–400 Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Sunday 		6:30–7:30 PM ET
6:30–7:30 PM ET
6:30–7:30 PM ET
4:00–5:00 PM ET 		Various
Sunday Course 250–850 Sunday 6:00–8:00 PM ET USCF Expert Epiphany Peters
Monday Course 400–1000 Monday 6:30–8:30 PM ET National Master Justin Burgess
Tuesday Course 400–1000 Tuesday 6:00–8:00 PM ET National Master Justin Burgess
Thursday Course 1100–1600 Thursday 6:30–8:30 PM ET International Master Joshua Posthuma
Friday Course 1100–1600 Friday 7:00–9:00 PM ET International Master Joshua Posthuma
Monday Elite Course 1600–2000 Monday 7:30–9:30 PM ET International Master Joshua Posthuma
Wednesday Adult Course Unrated–1600 Wednesday 8:00–10:00 PM ET National Master Sam Martin
Rating ranges are general guidelines. Please email courses@dmvchess.com if you have questions about eligibility.

Learn by playing, analyzing, and applying

Our courses help students build knowledge, practice serious decision-making, and learn from their own games.

1

Learn an important concept

Students develop their understanding of tactics, strategy, calculation, endgames, and practical tournament skills.

2

Put the lesson into practice

Students solve problems, discuss positions, and apply new ideas during structured games and exercises.

3

Review what happened

Coaches identify important tactical and strategic moments and help students understand better alternatives.

4

Apply it next time

Students return to competition with stronger habits, clearer plans, and specific areas for improvement.

Which course is the right fit?

Begin with the student's current US Chess rating and tournament experience. Our course ranges help place students with peers at a similar stage of development.

✓ Unrated to 400: Chess Foundations is designed for scholastic players preparing for their first tournament or those who have played some tournaments but are rated below 400.
✓ 250 to 850: The Sunday Climb the Rating Ladder group is a good option for kids rated 250-850 who are ready for weekly rated games and postgame analysis plus various lessons with Expert Epiphany Peters.
✓ 400 to 1000: Two options: Mondays or Tuesdays. Various lessons, weekly rated games and postgame analysis with NM Justin Burgess.
✓ 1100 to 1600: Two options: Thursdays or Fridays. Various lessons and weekly rated games/postgame analysis with IM Joshua Posthuma.
✓ 1600 to 2000: The Monday elite group is designed for some of our highest rated students. Just like the other courses, there are weekly rated games and analysis, as well as other lessons. The instructor is IM Joshua Posthuma.
✓ Adults: Wednesday is the only course intended specifically for adult players. Weekly rated games and analysis in addition to other lessons with NM Sam Martin.

Still not sure?

Email us the player's age, current rating, and tournament experience. We will recommend the most appropriate group.

Request a Recommendation

Choose your course

Select a course below to view complete information and register. All times are Eastern Time.

New to Tournament Chess

Best Starting Point Flexible Schedule Four Weekly Classes

Chess Foundations

Scholastic Players: Unrated to 400 USCF

Chess Foundations is designed for scholastic players who are new to tournament chess, from students preparing for their first US Chess-rated tournament to developing tournament players rated below 400.

Students build tactical awareness, calculation, strategy, endgame knowledge, tournament skills, strong thinking habits, and the confidence needed to take the next step in their chess journey.

♟ Instructors: Various
⌂ Online live instruction
✓ Attend one, two, three, or all four classes each week
+ Most students just attend 1 or 2 classes per week, though we encourage students to attend all four classes if they can do so!
Attend one, two, three, or all four of these weekly classes:
Monday 6:30–7:30 PM ET
Wednesday 6:30–7:30 PM ET
Thursday 6:30–7:30 PM ET
Sunday 4:00–5:00 PM ET
What students develop
✓ Strong opening principles
✓ Fundamental chess strategy
✓ Basic endgame knowledge
✓ Proficiency in basic tactics (forks, pins, skewers, etc.)
✓ Strong thinking and decision-making habits
✓ Confidence for US Chess-rated competition
✓ Interactive lessons, practice, and instructor game review
$165 / month
Attend as many of the four weekly classes as desired
View Details & Register

Intermediate Tournament Players

Expert Instructor

Sunday Course

Unrated and 250–850 USCF
● Sundays
◷ 6:00–8:00 PM ET
♟ USCF Expert Epiphany Peters
⌂ Online via Zoom and Lichess

250-850 course with Expert Epiphany Peters. Weekly lessons, rated games, and postgame analysis.

$150 / month
View Details & Register
NM Instructor

Monday Course

400–1000 USCF
● Mondays
◷ 6:30–8:30 PM ET
♟ National Master Justin Burgess
⌂ Online via Zoom and Lichess

Weekly rated games and guided analysis for intermediate scholastic tournament players.

$150 / month
View Details & Register
NM Instructor

Tuesday Course

400–1000 USCF
● Tuesdays
◷ 6:00–8:00 PM ET
♟ National Master Justin Burgess
⌂ Online via Zoom and Lichess

Weekly rated games and guided analysis for intermediate scholastic tournament players.

$150 / month
View Details & Register

Advanced & Elite Players

Advanced IM Instructor

Thursday Course

1100–1600 USCF
● Thursdays
◷ 6:30–8:30 PM ET
♟ International Master Joshua Posthuma
⌂ Online via Zoom and Lichess

Advanced training for serious scholastic players seeking deeper analysis and stronger competitive opposition.

$200 / month
View Details & Register
Advanced IM Instructor

Friday Course

1100–1600 USCF
● Fridays
◷ 7:00–9:00 PM ET
♟ International Master Joshua Posthuma
⌂ Online via Zoom and Lichess

Advanced training for serious scholastic players seeking deeper analysis and stronger competitive opposition.

$200 / month
View Details & Register
Elite IM Instructor

Monday Elite Course

1600–2000 USCF
● Mondays
◷ 7:30–9:30 PM ET
♟ International Master Joshua Posthuma
⌂ Online via Zoom and Lichess

High-level instruction and analysis for accomplished scholastic competitors rated approximately 1600 to 2000.

$200 / month
View Details & Register

Adults

Adults Only

Wednesday Adult Course

Beginner–1600 USCF
● Wednesdays
◷ 8:00–10:00 PM ET
♟ National Master Sam Martin
⌂ Online via Zoom and Lichess

DMV Chess's only online course designed exclusively for adult players, from beginners through approximately 1600 USCF.

$150 / month
View Details & Register
Note: Note: By default, students who register online will be enrolled at the beginning of the upcoming month. If you purchase a course entry in the middle of a month, we will send you an email from courses@dmvchess.com asking if you would like to have your child start right away or wait until next month. Students who wish to join a class mid-month will be offered the chance to pay an additional prorated invoice in order to start the class right away, or they can wait until the upcoming month to begin instead.

Frequently asked questions

Important information for students and families considering enrollment.

Which course should a new tournament player choose?

Chess Foundations is designed for scholastic players who are preparing for their first US Chess-rated tournament or who are developing tournament players rated below 400.

Does a student need a US Chess membership?

An active US Chess membership is required for all classes except for Chess Foundations. All classes (besides Chess Foundations) involve weekly US Chess-rated online games.

Are these courses open to students outside the DMV area?

Yes. Many of our students live in other parts of the country. Because the courses meet online, eligible students may participate from any geographic location.

What platforms are used?

Classes meet through Zoom, while online games are played through Lichess. Complete instructions are provided to enrolled students.

Can a student join in the middle of a month?

By default, students who register online will be enrolled at the beginning of the upcoming month. If you purchase a course entry in the middle of a month, we will send you an email from courses@dmvchess.com asking if you would like to have your child start right away or wait until next month. Students who wish to join a class mid-month will be offered the chance to pay an additional prorated invoice in order to start the class right away, or they can wait until the upcoming month to begin instead.

What is the exact age requirement for Wednesday adult classes?

Wednesday students must be 18+, and there are no exceptions.

What happens if we are unsure about placement?

Email courses@dmvchess.com with the player's USCF ID (if they have one), rating, and any other information you would like us to know. DMV Chess can recommend an appropriate course.

Turn every game into an opportunity to improve

Find the group that matches your current level and begin building strong fundamentals through practice, thoughtful analysis, and expert instruction.

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