What makes Old School Chess different from other chess apps?

Old School Chess features Professor Archer, a personal chess coach who comments on every move you make, explains why certain moves are stronger, and teaches at your own pace. Unlike other apps that just show you the best move, Professor Archer explains the why behind every concept.

Is Old School Chess good for beginners?

Yes. Old School Chess is designed specifically for adult beginners and returning players. Professor Archer starts with the fundamentals and builds up gradually. No prior chess experience is needed.

How does the in-game commentary work?

When you play a game on Old School Chess, Professor Archer watches the board and comments on each move - yours and your opponent's. He names the opening you're in, points out tactical opportunities, and flags mistakes before they become problems.

Is Old School Chess free?

Old School Chess offers free access to 300+ learning guides, interactive lessons, and game analysis. You can try Professor Archer's coaching for free with no account required.

Learn Chess Online - Free Lessons, Guides & Personal Coaching

Learn chess with Professor Archer, a personal coach who comments on every move you make, explains why certain moves are stronger, and teaches you at your own pace.

Learn

Go through each topic with Professor Archer, from how the pieces move to complex tactics and strategy.

Play

It's easier to learn when you play. After every move, Professor Archer explains what happened and why.

Train

Practice against your past mistakes. Understand why certain moves are stronger and build real intuition.

Understand the "Why" Behind Every Move

Most chess apps tell you a move is bad. Professor Archer tells you why it's bad - and what you should have done instead. Every move gets a clear, measured explanation so you actually learn, not just memorise.

"You're developing with purpose. Getting pieces toward the center early gives you more options."

"That opens up a nasty pin on your queen. Worth reconsidering?"

"Good instinct. Keeping your king protected is always sound."

Learn While You Play

Every game is a lesson. Professor Archer watches the board and comments on each move - naming the opening you're in, pointing out tactical opportunities, and gently flagging mistakes before they become problems.

Commentary on every move - yours and your opponent's
Adjustable difficulty from beginner to advanced
Ask for hints when you're stuck

Structured Lessons, Real Progress

Professor Archer guides you through interactive lessons on the board - from how the pieces move to endgame technique. Each lesson builds on the last, with positions to try yourself and explanations you'll actually remember.

Step-by-step lessons with board demonstrations
Pieces, openings, tactics, endgames - all covered
Personalised training plan based on your level

Your Questions, Answered on the Spot

Confused about a position? Curious why a move is strong? Just ask. Professor Archer is always available to explain concepts, discuss strategy, or walk you through an idea - in plain language, with no rush.

Ask during a game, a lesson, or on its own
Follow-up questions encouraged - go as deep as you like
Explanations grounded in real chess principles

What Makes Professor Archer Different

In-Game Commentary

Professor Archer comments on every move - yours and your opponent's. No more wondering what just happened.

Structured Lessons

Over 25 detailed lessons covering pieces, openings, tactics, and endgames. Each builds on the last.

Helpful Hints

Stuck on a move? Ask for a hint. Professor Archer will point you in the right direction without giving away the answer.

Patient & Encouraging

No judgement, no pressure. Professor Archer respects your pace and celebrates real progress over perfection.

Pattern Recognition

Forks, pins, skewers, checkmate patterns - Professor Archer flags them as they appear so you learn to spot them yourself.

Learn from Mistakes

Review your past games move by move. Understand where you went wrong and practice those exact positions again.

Studied the Masters, Teaches Like a Mentor

Professor Archer Castle - Former university professor who came to chess at 40. Twenty years of teaching adults who discovered the game later in life shaped his approach: patient, clear, and grounded in how people actually learn.

Professor Archer's teaching draws on the best chess educators and learning science - explaining the why behind every concept, not just the what.

Chernev's "Move by Move" Method

Every move gets explained. No move is "obvious" when you're learning.

Silman's Imbalances

Material, space, pawn structure, king safety - find the imbalance, find the plan.

Capablanca's Simplicity

"Chess is simple if you approach it simply." Fundamentals first, complications later.

Socratic Discovery

Asks questions before giving answers. You remember what you figure out yourself.

He's also deeply influenced by Nimzowitsch's prophylactic thinking, Kotov's calculation method, and modern learning research from Ericsson and Dweck on deliberate practice and growth mindset.