Note that the following is taken directly from the Chess Cheat Sheets Academy.

If you're unfamiliar with our products and/or want more of a structured process in how to learn with them, we've outlined that below. Note that this process and how to use the tools will be the same each month, so you don't need to re-read this every time. That said, we'll include it for reference anyway.

Each resource here serves a different purpose, and together they form a complete learning system. This is how to get the most out of everything.

Step 1: Familiarise Yourself With The Cheat Sheets

The cheat sheets are our flagship products. That's how we got started - it's in the name, after all!

We suggest starting by reading through the cheat sheet for your chosen opening. Simply flick through the pages initially to get an idea of how they work.

The cheat sheets themselves also have a page inside each, explaining how to use them. They're interactive, too, so you can quickly jump around by clicking images or certain bits of text.

Starting with the cheat sheet is useful because each contains a page dedicated to the larger opening, rather than its variations. This includes:

• Information and a short description of the opening

• Its moves in chess notation

• Its pros and cons

• What the board looks like from Black and White's perspective

• The overall average win rate of that opening (rather than for specific variations)

Following that, you can see the most popular following moves from that opening, each of which we consider to be a variation.

On the variation overview page, you get data for each specific variation, including the 'trigger' move made in chess notation (with an accompanying screenshot of that move), the win rate, and the popularity. These are listed in popularity order, with the most common variation happening in the top left, and the least popular in the bottom right.

This win rate and move data for each variation are also found in the training app.

Finally, each variation has its own page, which shows you all the moves for that opening variation in one place. This is from both Black and White's perspective, so you've got an idea of what the board looks like, no matter which side you're playing. Additionally, each move has chess notation beneath for reference.

The intention with these cheat sheets is to give you a quick-reference way to see all the moves for a given variation in a single place. They're useful as a reminder for the moves in a given variation of this opening, since you don't need to go through a full line in your interactive software or over the board. Having every move available at a glance - whether playing as Black or White - is super useful.

Using The Cheat Sheet For Learning

Then, once you're vaguely familiar with how the cheat sheet looks, feels, and works, you can move on to using it more critically.

The goal of using it at this stage is to build familiarity. We're not trying to use it to memorise any moves.

When using it, look for:

• Common piece placements

• Typical pawn structures

• Recurring patterns

• The overall shape of the position

Try to build a mental picture of where the pieces belong. We've intentionally used visual board positions to help with this.

The cheat sheet acts as a roadmap of sorts to quickly check how comfortable and familiar you are with the opening, and with each variation of the opening. You can return to it whenever you need a quick refresher or to check how accurate your memory is.

Step 2: Start Learning The Variations

This is where we'll start using the opening trainer app.

Inside the trainer, there's a built-in daily plan, which you can use to work through each variation. Essentially, that means:

• Using the overview screen to go through the moves of the variation one at a time

• Training pattern recognition with Recall mode

• Testing learning and memory with Reconstruct mode

Go through this slowly. There's no rush, and taking your time will help the learning to sink in. Additionally, you've got a full month to do this, if you need it!

We'd rather you take the time and actually learn the opening properly, than to rush through, get a half-decent idea of how to play it, then try to use it in games and end up failing and quitting.

So, go slow.

Focus on understanding the position rather than rushing through the moves.

Ask yourself:

• What is this move trying to achieve?

• Which piece is being improved?

• What central square is being controlled?

• What threat is being created or prevented?

Think about the goals of each side.

Using Recall Mode

Once you've been through a variation a few times, you can switch to Recall mode. This is where real learning starts to happen.

Instead of recognising moves, you're actively remembering them.

And you're actively testing that memory by making a move.

The app will show you a random position from a certain point in your chosen variation. Your job is to make the next correct move.

Essentially, you're training yourself to recall the correct move to make for each variation.

There's hint functionality, like a chess puzzle, if you need it. This might be useful earlier on, but the more familiar you get, the less you'll need it.

Using Recall strengthens long-term memory far more effectively than simply rereading material; the combination of both seeing and doing is extremely powerful.

Most players remember openings from the starting position, move by move. So when something happens out of order, or a player makes a different move than what the variation says, they're thrown off.

For example, Black might move their Knight first, then their pawn. But the board state is the same as if they went pawn first, then Knight. If you'd only learned the move sequence and not the principles or goals, you might panic.

Strong players recognise positions regardless of how they were reached. That's what Recall helps train you to do.

Using Reconstruct

Once you're familiar with the variation and have drilled random positions using Recall, we're now going to rebuild the entire line from memory.

In Reconstruct, you play against the computer, which will automatically make the next move of the variation from the opponent's side.

When going through, you should approach it mindfully - at least for the first few attempts. Don't just play the moves because you think they're correct or already know them.

Instead, notice when you're hesitating. Notice when you're taking longer than usual. Notice which pieces you go to move first.

This is all useful feedback into what your brain has learned and what it thinks is the correct move. The awareness here will help you recognise the mistakes you make, which in turn will help you play better in real games.

For example, if you forget a move, that's useful feedback. And if you're really struggling, the app has hint functionality to nudge you in the right direction.

But with the awareness of that memory slip, we can identify the weak point and repeat that section. Through repetition and familiarity, you'll ultimately reach confidence with the variation.

Don't worry about perfection yet. Just focus on gradual improvement. Once you're familiar with the variation, you can always go through it again later and aim for 100% accuracy.

Using The Flashcards

The flashcards are just a bit of a bonus for those with huge repertoires or wanting to quickly remember certain openings or board positions.

So, use them for quick review sessions.

The opening-specific flashcards are useful for remembering which opening is which, and consequently which variations to play.

The flashcards in the training app will help you remember the overall variations and the surrounding learning you did there.

Even a few minutes a day can improve retention and familiarity. It's the lowest priority thing to learn, but if you find flashcards useful, they're worth including in your learning sessions.

As with everything, consistency beats marathon study sessions. Use the app consistently and you'll see real progress.

Studying The Master Games

Once you're comfortable with the opening itself, it's time to study the included master games (either inside the app or downloaded separately from the G-Drive via the cheat sheets).

This is where you'll see:

• How strong players use the opening

• Typical middlegame plans

• Common attacking ideas

• Strategic themes

• Outcomes of using the opening (such as what kind of endgames were reached)

Don't just passively watch the moves happen; ask yourself questions.

• Why was that piece moved?

• Why was that pawn pushed?

• What is each player trying to achieve?

This is where understanding begins to replace memorisation.

The training app has note-taking functionality for each game, which you can use for future reference. Each opening also has several master games that you can go through to maximise learning.

Additionally, you can quiz yourself with each master game, much like in Recall. This is a more fun and engaging way to internalise the games.

Step 3: Revisit The Cheat Sheets

Now that you've learned and trained each variation, the cheat sheets become useful in another way - they become quick prompts to help you remember the moves without having to boot up the app or go through move-by-move.

As before, each page has all the moves of the variation in one place, so you can quickly see how the variation progresses in its entirety.

All cheat sheets are interactive PDFs, usable on any device. They're also designed in A4 and are printable, should you want to get physical copies made! Just keep an eye on your ink costs.

Step 4: Play Real Games

Finally, it's time to put everything into practice and play real games using your chosen opening.

We'd suggest beginning with a couple of games against a bot, since there are no elo stakes. But if you want to put a bit of pressure on yourself, games against real players will do that.

Do note that not every game will allow you to play your desired opening. Half the time, you're playing as the other side to your desired opening. That's why we want a repertoire that includes both Black and White openings.

Additionally, even when you're playing as the right side, some games just won't give you chance to use your new opening. Your opponent might make a completely wild move that prevents you from following your plan, or the game starts with d4 instead of e4.

Not facing it all the time is normal. Again, this is why having a larger repertoire is useful. And for beginners, that's why having more universal system openings like the London can be reliable.

So that being said, it's likely you'll need to play a good few games, each trying to play your chosen opening, before you've used it frequently enough to build true confidence. Be patient and stick with it. You don't want all that learning to go to waste! Aim for 25-50 actual games played with your opening (not total games trying to play the opening; actual times using it) before deciding on your progress with the opening and whether you like it.

When playing, expect mistakes. That's normal. Mistakes are part of the process, and give you feedback on where to improve.

Your goal isn't perfection. It's simply exposure to the opening and its variations in real games.

The more often you reach these positions, the faster they become familiar.

Then, with time, you'll notice yourself making fewer mistakes and becoming more effective at using a given opening.

You can revisit the training app and cheat sheets at any time. If you notice you're making a lot of mistakes when playing a certain variation, it might be worth checking back in with the training app or cheat sheet to see what the discrepancy is.

Eventually, you'll reach a point of complete confidence with your chosen opening. From there, it's up to you! You're free to decide if you want to make that a permanent part of your repertoire, or if you'd like to give another opening a try.

We've got the exact same learning format and resource combination of cheat sheets and training apps for over 150 openings, so you won't run out any time soon.

Playing As The Other Side

One useful tool that's built into the training apps is the ability to go through the opening as the other side. The same moves, but with a completely flipped board state.

This is useful if you've gone through the opening trainer and cheat sheets in their entirety, but still feel a bit unsure or not fully confident.

In the settings option (bottom left of the app on desktop), there's a toggle to switch sides. Doing this will allow you to interact with the app from the non-dominant player's perspective. If the opening is meant to be played as White, this lets you play it as Black, and vice versa.

All aspects of the app will update. Overview, Recall, and Reconstruct will show the new side.

The learning process is exactly the same, but this time you're playing in response to what you'd normally be playing yourself.

This allows you to better understand your opponent's mindset when playing the opening yourself, and can really drive home the learning and memory.

Additionally, you might naturally face the opening yourself on the ladder, but feel unprepared because you've only ever played it as the main side. This solves that problem!

It's worth going through as the other side at least once for each variation, if only to familiarise yourself with the moves and how everything works from the other side.

Changing Openings

You are, of course, free to change openings at any time. You don't have to stick with the same opening for the full month. If you feel like it's not a good fit, no worries! Just switch to a different opening and start learning that instead.

This is true at any point. You might drill a few variations and feel confident enough to try it in real games. But once you're on the ladder, it might feel too forced and unlike your preferred playstyle, or might result in board positions you're not comfortable playing.

Again, no need to worry. Just give another opening a go.

Recommended Weekly Schedule

Now, you've got a full month before the next round of openings are available, so there's no need to rush or stick to a rigid schedule. As mentioned above, we'd rather you take your time and do it properly.

However, if you'd like a timeline and schedule to follow, here's a rough idea.

Week 1

• Familiarise yourself with the cheat sheet

• Learn the main variations visually

• Open up the training app and go through each variation once

• Begin training the first 3 variations using the daily training plan inside the app

Week 2

• Continue variation training for each variation

• Aim to have all variations comfortably learned and played within the app by the end of this week

Week 3

• Re-familiarise yourself with all openings

• Review mistakes and think about why you made them, and how to avoid them in the future

• Go through and review master games

Week 4

• Start training in real chess games

• Refine weak areas; watch yourself in games, review your games, and refer back to the training app and cheat sheet as refreshers

• Consolidate your knowledge and grow in confidence

A Note On Learning Speed

One other thing to mention here.

The speed of your learning and commitment to the Academy might mean you get through a full opening and the resulting chess games in just a week or two instead of taking a month.

Maybe you've got a lot of time on your hands to learn & play chess, or maybe you're particularly motivated.

Either way, no problem! We've given you a selection of 10 relevant openings to try for this month. So if you get through a full opening and are craving more, give another one a go.

We do also have other resources you might find useful, such as opening-specific puzzles or endgame guides. If you'd like access to more tools, consider upgrading to a lifetime member.

Doing so will give you full access to ALL our resources, immediately. Not only do you get all future months to go through at your own pace, you also get a whole host of other useful resources. You'll probably find the book move cheat sheets and opening-specific puzzles particularly useful.

Totally up to you how and when you want to learn. We've provided the resources to make that learning more fun, engaging, and effective. It's up to you how and when you use them.

Right, that just about covers it. Now it's time to jump in and start your learning. We're excited to see you start building a personal repertoire!