A vibrant pop art image of a chessboard, with a chessboard as the central theme, in a dynamic, geometric composition featuring bold, contrasting colors of red, white, and blue. The board incorporates abstracted fragments of the Dutch flag, and the word 'Steps' is rendered in bold, blocky typography, integrated into the composition as if part of the chessboard or floating above it.
Every chess master was once a beginner who took one step at a time.



The Dutch Chess Steps Method, also known as the Stappenmethode, is a systematic and progressive chess training program developed in 1987 by Rob Brunia and International Master Cor van Wijgerden.

 It is widely recognized as one of the most effective methods for teaching chess, particularly to children, and has been adopted by chess clubs and schools worldwide, including in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, the United States, and Australia.

Key Features of the Steps Method:

  • Structured Curriculum:
    The program is divided into six steps, each designed to build on the previous one. The steps range from teaching basic rules and piece movements (Step 1) to advanced strategic and tactical concepts (Step 6). Each step includes workbooks for students and manuals for trainers, ensuring a structured and comprehensive learning experience.

  • Focus on Tactics:
    The method emphasizes tactical training, breaking down complex concepts into manageable building blocks. Students learn to recognize patterns, calculate moves, and apply tactical themes such as double attacks, pins, and discovered checks. This approach helps players develop a strong foundation in chess.

  • Progressive Difficulty:
    Each step increases in complexity, requiring deeper calculation and strategic thinking. For example, Step 1 focuses on basic rules and simple tactics, while Step 4 introduces positional play and advanced endgame strategies. By Step 6, students are expected to handle complex strategic and tactical challenges.

  • Practical Application:
    The method encourages students to apply their knowledge through regular practice and tournament play. Solving exercises from the workbooks is complemented by playing games, analyzing positions, and receiving feedback from trainers. This ensures that theoretical knowledge translates into practical skills.

  • Adaptability:
    The program is designed for both group and individual instruction, making it suitable for schools, chess clubs, and self-study. It also includes specialized materials for younger children (Stepping Stones) and advanced players (Step 6 Extra), ensuring that learners of all ages and skill levels can benefit

Steps Overview:

  • Step 1: Introduces the rules of chess, piece movements, and basic tactics like attacking and defending. The goal is to help students play a complete game without illegal moves.

  • Step 2: Focuses on opening principles, basic tactics (e.g., double attacks, pins), and simple pawn endings. Students are encouraged to start playing in tournaments

  • Step 3: Deepens tactical understanding with themes like discovered attacks, X-rays, and mini-plans. Students begin to develop positional thinking.

  • Step 4: Covers advanced tactics, positional play, and endgame strategies. Students learn to analyze positions and plan attacks or defenses.

  • Step 5: Focuses on advanced topics, including complex pawn structures, rook endings, and strategic planning.

  • Step 6: Designed for expert players, this step involves self-study and advanced strategic concepts.

Success and Impact:

The Steps Method has been praised for its systematic approach and effectiveness in developing strong chess players. It has contributed to the success of many Dutch chess players and is used globally to teach chess at all levels. The method’s emphasis on structured learning, tactical training, and practical application makes it a valuable tool for both beginners and advanced players.

For more details, you can visit the official Steps Method website: Stappenmethode.

Chess Master Han Schut on how to gain rating points into your 50s + using the "Chess Steps Method" - 1hr 23Min - Perpetual Chess Podcast - shares his insights on how to improve your chess rating even in your 50s by using the Chess Steps Method. He discusses various strategies and techniques that can help adult chess players enhance their skills and achieve better results in their games.

Video Playlist (Dutch Steps Methods)


The Steps Method - Concepts - Han Shut - 21 Video Playlist - Videos Below w/Descriptions


Mini-plans (positional play)


The two key concepts are Activity and Vulnerability.
Related concepts include pawn structure, strong squares, open files and rank.

  • The Steps Method - Finding the best moves and Plan ( part 1) - 28 Min - Presents various chess concepts that form the foundation of the Steps Method, focusing on finding the best moves and planning in chess games. The video includes several example games and positions to illustrate the effectiveness of this method.

  • The Steps Method - Finding the best move and Plan ( part 2) - 35 Min -focuses on the concept of mini-plans in positional play. Han Schut presents various chess concepts that form the fabric of the Steps Method, providing viewers with practical examples and positions to illustrate the effectiveness of mini-plans.

  • The Steps Method - Positional Play ( Part 3) - 22 Min - focuses on positional play, specifically mini-plans in Step 3. Han Schut explains how to increase activity and exploit vulnerabilities in your opponent's position. He discusses the importance of piece activity, cooperation between pieces, and typical vulnerabilities such as double, isolated, and backward pawns. The video includes several example games and positions to illustrate these concepts.




'Search and Solving Strategy': Orientation


What has changed in the position after my opponent's last move?
What does my opponent want to do?
Direct threats: tactical characteristics
Positional: activity and vulnerability

Calculation and Evaluation
Establish goal
Find moves that fit with the goal using the Steps Method mini-concepts
Increase activity or exploit vulnerabilities

Verify calculation
How will the position change after I play my move?
Did I consider my opponent's strongest reply?



Endgames


Endgame analysis ( 1000-1500) with master Han Schut - 11 Min - discusses a pawn ending from "The 100 Endgames You Must Know WORKBOOK" by Jesus de la Villa. The video aims to improve visualization and analysis skills, teach a new pawn ending concept, and increase fluency in naming squares.

Pawn Endings

Chess Concepts

Series that presents various chess concepts forming the fabric of the Steps Method.

The series is intended for:
  • adult players who start in Step 3 or higher and want to make sure they have a good grasp of the chess concepts in Step 1 and Step 2

  • Chess Steps teachers who want to compare their understanding of the Steps Method

  • parents who are teaching Step 1 to their kids and want to make sure they fully understand the underlying concepts

The Steps Method - Attacking Targets - 14 Min - Focuses on attacking targets, explaining different strategies and techniques to effectively attack your opponent's pieces. The video includes several example games and positions to illustrate these concepts.

The Steps Method - Defending - 10 Min - Explaining different strategies and techniques to effectively defend your pieces and position. The video includes several example games and positions to illustrate these concepts

The Steps Method - Elimination of Defence - 17 Min - Focuses on the five ways of eliminating defense: capturing, luring away, chasing away, blocking, and interfering. The video includes several example games and positions to illustrate these concepts

The Steps Method - Preparatory Moves - 19 Min - Focuses on preparatory moves, explaining different strategies and techniques to set up your pieces for a successful attack or defense. The video includes several example games and positions to illustrate these concepts

The Steps Method - Attacking the King - 32 Min - Focuses on attacking the king, explaining different strategies and techniques to effectively launch an attack against your opponent's king. The video includes several example games and positions to illustrate these concepts

The Steps Method - Trapping - 23 Min - Focuses on trapping, explaining different strategies and techniques to effectively trap your opponent's pieces. The video includes several example games and positions to illustrate these concepts

The Steps Method - Pinning - 17 Min - Focuses on pinning, explaining different strategies and techniques to effectively pin your opponent's pieces. The video includes several example games and positions to illustrate these concepts

The Steps Method - The Opening - 24 Min - Focuses on the opening phase of a chess game, explaining different strategies and techniques to effectively start your game. The video includes several example games and positions to illustrate these concepts.

The Steps Method - Exploiting tied up pieces - 18 Min - Explains how to gain a winning advantage by exploiting pieces with a crucial defending function. These pieces are so tied up with their defending role that their function is severely compromised. The video includes several example games and positions to illustrate these concepts.

The Steps Method - Discovered Attack - 18 Min - Focuses on the discovered attack, explaining different strategies and techniques to effectively use this tactic in your games. The video includes several example games and positions to illustrate these concepts.

When is pushing pawns in front of your king bad? - 25 Min - discusses the risks and consequences of pushing pawns in front of your king. He provides several examples and positions to illustrate when it is strategically unwise to push these pawns, as it can weaken your king's safety and create vulnerabilities in your position.