About Old School Chess

Our Mission

Chess is one of the most rewarding intellectual pursuits in the world. But for too many people, the path to learning feels intimidating. Competitive culture, dense theory, and instruction aimed at ambitious young players can make beginners feel unwelcome.

Old School Chess exists to change that. Our mission is to make chess learning accessible, enjoyable, and effective for everyone - especially adult beginners who feel intimidated by competitive chess culture. We believe that anyone, at any age, can become a thoughtful, competent chess player with the right guidance.

Why "Old School"?

We believe in the timeless approach to chess education: understand principles first, memorise later. This is the same method used by the great teachers of the game - Capablanca, who believed in elegant simplicity; Nimzowitsch, who taught strategic thinking as a system; and Silman, who made complex ideas accessible to club players.

"Old School" doesn't mean outdated. It means returning to what actually works. The fundamentals of chess haven't changed in over a century. Control the center. Develop your pieces. Protect your king. These principles, taught properly, will take you further than memorising 30 moves of opening theory ever could.

In a world of rapid-fire content and algorithmic suggestions, we take a slower, more deliberate approach. We'd rather you understand one idea deeply than skim across a hundred.

What Makes Us Different

Personal Coaching

Professor Archer comments on every move you make, explains what happened, and guides you through the thinking process. It is like having a patient mentor sitting beside you.

Ask Anything

No question is too basic. Why does the knight move that way? What is castling for? Professor Archer answers every question clearly, without judgement.

Structured Learning Path

Not just random puzzles and videos. A guided curriculum that builds from the basics to advanced concepts, with each lesson reinforcing the last.

Adult-First Design

Built for grown-ups who want to learn properly. Not aimed at kids, not designed for tournament grinders. A thoughtful experience for people who appreciate depth.

Our Content

Old School Chess features a growing library of carefully authored, fact-checked content covering every aspect of the game.

• 366+ Learning Pages
• 92 Chess Terms Explained
• 30+ Opening Guides
• 17 World Champion Profiles
• 25+ Tactical Patterns
• 10+ Endgame Lessons

Learn More

• Meet Professor Archer - Learn about the chess coach behind Old School Chess - his story, philosophy, and teaching method.
• Our Editorial Standards - How we create, verify, and maintain chess content - our fact-checking process, sources, and correction policy.