Chessable: moveTrainer chess learning platform

Chessable

Definition

Chessable is an online chess-learning platform built around MoveTrainer, a spaced-repetition system tailored to chess. It delivers interactive courses on openings, endgames, strategy, and tactics, prompting you to recall and play moves on a board so they “stick.” Founded by David Kramaley and IM John Bartholomew, Chessable popularized memory science in chess study and later joined the Play Magnus Group before that group was acquired by Chess.com.

How it’s used in chess

Players use Chessable to convert study time into reliable over-the-board recall. Typical use cases include:

• Building and maintaining an opening repertoire with interactive drills, complementing traditional Book study and modern Theory.
• Preparing for tournaments with efficient Home prep lines and forced-move quizzes that simulate game conditions.
• Training endgames and tactical patterns until responses become automatic in OTB play.
• Supplementing analysis with moderated Engine checks and CP (centipawn) guidance while focusing on “human move” recall.

Many learners track their rating trends alongside study streaks to correlate effort and improvement: .

Strategic and historical significance

Before Chessable, most opening work was done by memorizing long PGNs or reading static books. Chessable helped mainstream spaced repetition, retrieval practice, and interleaving for chess. Its courses—ranging from free “Short & Sweet” previews to extensive “Lifetime Repertoires”—made high-level prep accessible to club players and titled competitors alike. The brand also gained visibility via elite events like the Chessable Masters on the Champions Chess Tour, highlighting the connection between rigorous preparation and top-level results. The platform’s “science-first” identity is reflected in initiatives such as the Chessable Research Awards, supporting academic work on chess improvement.

Typical study workflow

1. Select a course. Start with a “Short & Sweet” to sample an Opening or jump into a full repertoire that covers main lines and critical sidelines.
2. Learn a chapter. Watch optional video, read instructive text, then answer MoveTrainer prompts by playing the required move on the board.
3. Review on schedule. Spaced-repetition brings lines back “when due,” reinforcing memory just before it fades.
4. Integrate with practice. Play blitz/rapid, flag tough positions to revisit, and refine your choices (e.g., pick a simpler drawing line when practical chances are low).

Examples

Example 1: Giuoco Pianissimo drill. A typical MoveTrainer sequence might present the following classical Italian structure. After the moves below, you’ll be quizzed on plans like d3–c3–Re1, maneuvering Nb1–d2–f1–g3, and timing d4.

Position after: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 a6. White: pawns on e4, c3, d3; knights on f3, b1; bishops on c4, c1; rooks a1, e1; king g1. Black mirrors with e5, d6; knights on c6, f6; bishops on c5, c8; rooks a8, f8; king g8; a6 included. Plans revolve around slow buildup and central breaks.

Try the moves:

Example 2: Practical sideline handling. Suppose your repertoire recommends 1. e4 and you meet the Petroff: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6. A Chessable chapter might steer you to a low-theory line emphasizing Practical chances—for instance 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5—paired with model games and engine-backed notes to avoid a “Book draw.” The drills focus on ideas (space, development, and pinning ...Bd6 with Re1) rather than only leafing through long branches.

Features and study design

• MoveTrainer spaced repetition: prompts you to recall moves at optimally spaced intervals, reducing forgetting and promoting robust pattern memory.
• Active recall over passive reading: you must play the move, not just recognize it—great for combatting “I knew that!” illusions.
• Interleaving and variability: mixes lines and positions so knowledge transfers to fresh board contexts.
• Flexible granularity: from “Short & Sweet” tasters to complete repertoires; from endgame fundamentals to advanced strategy.
• Video + text: combine explanations with on-board practice; many courses add chapter summaries and final tests.
• Progress tracking: streaks, goals, and accuracy metrics; exportable PGNs for your database; complements engine and tablebase study.

Interesting facts and anecdotes

• Origin story: Co-founder IM John Bartholomew popularized the “make it stick” mantra among improvers, inspiring many to replace rote reading with deliberate practice.
• Event spotlight: The Chessable Masters (Champions Chess Tour) featured world-class clashes—e.g., Magnus Carlsen and Ding Liren—underscoring the platform’s visibility in elite chess.
• Research support: The Chessable Research Awards fund student work on cognition and training, reinforcing the platform’s science-centric identity.
• Community workflow: Many club players report studying a handful of new lines daily and clearing their “due” reviews before a league night—then annotating their games afterward to refine the course.

Best practices for learners

• Consistency beats bingeing: small daily reviews outperform marathon crams.
• Train ideas, not just moves: read explanations and study model games to avoid brittle memory.
• Study both colors: flip sides to improve prediction against “Colors reversed” positions and unexpected transpositions.
• Prefer robust lines: choose variations resilient to “Cheapo” attempts and time pressure; a slightly “Second best” line with clear plans can score better OTB.
• Validate with tools: periodically verify critical branches with an Engine and your own annotations to cement understanding.

Related concepts

• Opening and repertoire building
• Home prep and tournament preparation
• Complementary Book study and modern Theory
• Sound use of an Engine and understanding CP Eval
• Translating study to OTB performance and time management
• Focused Study mode for deep dives

Why it matters

Chessable helped reframe “study” as measurable skill acquisition. By aligning chess learning with proven cognitive principles—spaced repetition, active recall, and interleaving—it closed the gap between knowing a line at home and playing it confidently under time pressure. Whether you’re an opening nerd or an endgame grinder, it’s an efficient way to turn study into points on the scoreboard.