Kasparov Teaches Chess Online; MasterClass Sponsors Speed Chess Championship

Garry Kasparov, the 13th world chess champion and one of the game's all-time greats, will give online chess lessons to students on the MasterClass platform, the company announced today.

The course will be Kasparov's first-ever chess lesson online, where he will teach students the strategy and tactics he used to become world champion. The class promises to unveil chess ideas developed by Kasparov throughout his career but never revealed until now.

Kasparov in a promotional photo for MasterClass. 

Kasparov's class is also slated to include lessons on the world champion's philosophical approach to chess, the use of computers, and the importance of mental toughness.

MasterClass, based in San Francisco, is an online education platform offering lessons from world-famous experts in various fields, including Gordon Ramsay on cooking and Steve Martin on comedy. Kasparov will join these renowned instructors by teaching chess in a diverse format, which features videos, interactive exercises, and student participation.

Photo: MasterClass.com

Pre-enrollment for Kasparov's class begins on MasterClass today.

Kasparov and MasterClass released a promotional video for the class on YouTube as the course was announced. The trailer includes footage of Kasparov's inimitable teaching style. 

“This MasterClass was a unique opportunity for me to share my lifetime of knowledge and passion for the game of chess with the highest possible quality," said Kasparov. "Chess is a game of unlimited beauty. But it's not just checks and attacks; we have to be creative," he said. 

"I hope to inspire students to love the game as much as I do. Well, almost as much as I do!” Kasparov said.

Chess.com and MasterClass also announced today that the education company has joined the 2017 Speed Chess Championship as its premier sponsor. The world's best grandmasters, including the world champion Magnus Carlsen, are battling in the year-long Speed Chess bracket in the strongest chess competition ever held online.

"We are thrilled to be having Garry Kasparov teach a MasterClass and to support a great event like the Speed Chess Championship," said David Rogier, CEO and co-founder of MasterClass.

For more information on MasterClass or to sign up for Kasparov's program, visit the official site at MasterClass.com/gk.

Details about the 2017 Speed Chess Championship, including the bracket, schedule, and ongoing results, are located at Chess.com/championship.