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Foundations of Tactical Mastery w/ Coach Ben

Sharpen your child’s calculation, attacking skills, and defensive technique. This three-part series with Coach Ben Vinyard (USCF 1859) is designed for intermediate players, typically in the 800–1400 rating range (with occasional exceptions for dedicated students just below that level).

Each week, students will dive into focused lessons, solve themed puzzles, and play minigames with fun prizes to reinforce what they’ve learned. The goal is to build practical tactical strength they can use immediately in their tournament games.

Core Topics in the Series

Calculation

Learn to see deeper and calculate with confidence.

  • Identifying and using forcing moves
  • Understanding the biggest mistakes players make in calculation
  • Recognizing and executing petite combinations
  • Using comparison to choose between candidate moves
  • Applying the process of elimination to find the best move
Attacking

Turn promising positions into winning attacks.

  • The 6 rules of the attack and when to launch one
  • Typical sacrifices every improving player should know
  • Classic mating patterns and how to spot them over the board
Defense

Stay calm under pressure and save tough positions.

  • How to avoid blunders before they happen
  • Principles of active defense and counterattack
  • Spotting the opponent’s threats quickly and accurately
  • What we can learn from how neural networks defend

Who Should Join?

  • Students around 800–1400 USCF who want to improve their tactical vision
  • Players who already know the basics and are ready for intermediate-level ideas
  • Serious beginners just below 800 who are motivated (exceptions considered)

Questions or Enrollment

To ask about placement, dates, or enrollment, please call or email:

We’re happy to help you decide if Foundations of Tactical Mastery is the right fit for your child and answer any questions you may have.



70th and Shea

Event Date Time Location
Foundations of Tactical Mastery – Defense (Scottsdale – 70th St & Shea) Sundays
April 12th - May 17th		 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 70th and Shea


Elliot and McClintock

Event Date Time Location
Foundations of Tactical Mastery – Defense (Tempe – Elliot & McClintock) Sundays
April 12th - May 17th		 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Elliot and McClintock