The ChessKing apps not only help people reach a 2000 rating but are also powerful tools for becoming a master. This is also my goal in the coming years 🎯.
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Book 1: Encyclopedia of Chess Combinations. Buying the physical book costs around $50-60, but ChessKing has split it into three apps, which used to be $10 each. I bought two copies myself, and now they’re all included in the Maximum package. This is considered the top tactical combination book that can help one become an International Master. 

Book 2: Chess Strategy, a master-level middlegame book.

Book 3: Total Chess Endings, an intermediate-level endgame book.

Book 4: Endgame Studies, a master-level endgame book

Once you've studied these four books, you're well on the path to mastery. I’ll prove this through my own practice.

Here are the six ChessKing apps I mentioned last week, which can be considered the essence of tactical training. According to MDLM in Rapid Chess Improvement, mastering CT*Art 4.0 by completing it seven times can push your rating above 2000. I did it three times and reached that level myself.

These six books are roughly arranged by difficulty. The second and third may be somewhat unique—some parts might even be simpler than the first, but the first book is foundational.

If you're at Step 2-3 level, start with the first book: Chess Tactics for Beginners.
If you're at Step 3-4 level, start with the fourth book: 1400-1600.
If you're at Step 4-5 level, start with the fifth book: 1600-1800.
If you're at Step 5-6 level, go directly to the sixth book: CT*Art 4.0
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Currently, there’s still a buy-one-get-one deal. Please use my 27% discount coupon coachandy27.

ChessKing Maximum 120 can be ordered, strongly recommending "lifelong" subscription.
https://chesskingtraining.com/products/chess-king-learn/chess-king-maximum-120/​

Yesterday, in the group chat, we talked about the ultimate tools for breaking through 1200. I once wrote about this in my students’ journey to becoming masters.

This time, I’ll go into more detail. If you spend a year working through these six apps, your rating will naturally exceed 1200. All six apps are included in the ChessKing Maximum subscription, and CK also offers other package series.

ChessKing is a powerful tool I've recommended for over a decade, which can help young chess players rapidly grow from beginners to international masters. I’ll continue to introduce it more in the future.

I’ve secured an extra 2% deal for my students, meaning the best deal online plus an additional 2%, totaling around an extra $5 off. The current promotion is 25% off, and by using my coupon, “coachandy27,” you can get 27% off.

Now there’s a flash deal: buy one and get two activation codes (one code per account). It’s truly a bargain!"

• SPECIAL OFFER TODAY: BUY 1 GET 2! Perfect for gifts, keep 1 for you and gift the other to a loved one. Mention in the comments you want 2 activation codes.

Seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as soon as possible; it could disappear at any time. Use my discount code: coachandy27

ChessKing Maximum 120 can be ordered，strongly recommending the lifelong version.
https://chesskingtraining.com/products/chess-king-learn/chess-king-maximum-120/​

Today, I received a question from a parent: Their child had been taking chess lessons for a while, learned the rules, and even learned how to play. However, they couldn't keep up with the teacher's pace and felt it was a bit difficult, so they stopped the lessons. But now, the child wants to play chess with their parents at home, and the parents don’t know how to play. What should they do?

This reminds me of when my daughter first took chess lessons. In her first game, she was completely beaten by a boy two years younger than her, and she ended up stopping lessons for a year. I've shared my daughter's story many times, so I won’t repeat it here.

Now, I'd like to share my thoughts on the issue mentioned above. First of all, the fact that the child is eager to play chess with their parents shows that they still enjoy playing chess, regardless of whether it's because they want to win against their parents. What parents can do is provide more opportunities for the child to engage with chess. This doesn't necessarily mean formal lessons. For example, you could organize playdates, take them to informal chess meetups at libraries where they can play with other kids, or even watch chess-related movies together. You could also attend activities like "Chess in the Park" or sign up for after-school programs (which are usually less formal and might not even have a teacher).

Of course, you could also consider switching to a different class or a new teacher. You could tell the child that mom and dad will learn chess along with them, and their job will be to teach you what they’ve learned. They might be very happy to take on that role.

Find one or two friends of similar age for the child to play with regularly, not necessarily just for chess. Having companions will make it easier for them to stay motivated. ✊

If they continue taking lessons, communicate more with the teacher.

The goal 🎯 is to foster a love for chess, not to achieve any particular ranking. Wait for the right moment. You never know when that "plane" will take off. 🛫

My daughter’s journey started in an after-school club (which she asked to join herself), not a formal chess school. It was a club where an external coach came in to teach, and I didn’t even know what she was learning or how much she was absorbing. But she kept at it for more than six months. She made friends, had fun, and the parents in the club were very supportive. Eventually, they started taking the kids to unrated tournaments. And slowly, that’s how she got started on her chess journey.
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I have not taken care of this blog for couple years, because I felt I had written most of what I wanted to say. Nowadays, there are still parents who know little about chess. When they hit road blocker  and want to seek help, they don't know where to find the help. So it's better to keep writing them, again and again.

I have cleaned up a lot of tasks I took on in last few years, especially with WeChat. It will be a clean slate. I'd like to write two or three articles per week. We will talk about anything about chess.

Not much I want to say. Please check back often.
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The Susan Polgar Foundation Girls' Invitational was founded by Susan Polgar commissioned by USCF in the early 20th century, corresponding to the Denker High School tournament. It has the longest history among the four major tournaments.

SPFGI starts with mini camp, the first two days of training, one day of sightseeing, then puzzle, blitz, bug house, and finally the main games. In recent years, the first three days have been gone. After the epidemic, many games have been played online. So the level became much lower. The main reason may be that Susan has retired. So you must seize the opportunity when it's in person.
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