Lovewatching chess but forget it at the board? Stop losing great ideas. Turn your favorite streams, lessons, and recaps into lasting progress— with visual hooks and Pattern Cards.

Make My Chess Add Up — $9.99
Make My Chess Add Up — $9.99

When you watch and study chess, you’re constantly picking up great insights. Chess With Cards locks them in with a complete visual system of colors, icons, and bite-size guidance — so what you learn sticks, builds, and shows up in your games.

 

Make Every Bit of Chess Add Up—in 3 Simple Steps

1.Know Your Patterns

Get a snapshot of your chess mind. Spread the 200+ cards in the Chess With Cards deck (or flip through the pocketbook) and sort what feels familiar—forks? open files?—from what doesn’t yet—zugzwang? triangulation? That simple sort gives each chess idea emotional weight and a clear visual hook—so what you watch or read next connects to something simple and lasting, not just diagrams that may slip by.

Now, flip the cards and make the ideas usable in your own games. Each Pattern Card is more than color and symbol—it’s a compact lesson in how strong players see the board, showing you what to notice and what to do. By thinking in patterns, you turn what you recognize into clear plans and accurate moves.

2.Lock Them Into a System

Organize your scattered knowledge into something you can actually recall. We remember better when ideas are anchored in space. Chess With Cards' Map of Patterns gives you a mental map of the game — every pattern sits next to related ones — so when you learn something new, online or in a lesson, your mind knows where it goes and can pull it up in play.

3.Track Your Progress

See your understanding grow. You can use Chess With Cards’ printable Pattern Tracker to analyze positions in real play, train the habit of strategically scanning the board, and as a result find stronger ideas faster. You can also use it to collect the ideas you’re hearing in streams, videos, or lessons. It helps you track what feels solid and what still needs work, so progress stays clear and motivating.

Use the Visuals to Learn, Have Fun, and Teach

Learn: Use the cards like “strategic glasses” to spot pawn structure plans, key squares, piece quality, tactical signals, and more — so patterns pop in real games and your next plan becomes obvious.

Have Fun: Turn any game into a friendly strategy chat. Call out what you both see, compare ideas, and keep play balanced even at different levels — so everyone actually enjoys the game.

Teach: Run smoother lessons with instant visual anchors: place the right card by the board to standardize language, keep mixed-level groups engaged, and add a collectible, hands-on spark to every session.

Why This System Works So Well

How Chess With Cards Speeds Up Improvement
Multiplies the value of what you already do Makes your videos, lessons, and games work together ✔
Gives you one clear visual system Every named pattern in one complete, consistent design ✔
Keeps everything connected The Map shows how ideas fit into the big picture ✔
Keeps motivation and memory growing The Tracker makes progress easy to see—and rewarding ✔
Feels natural in clubs and with kids Screen-free, easy to share, sparks real discussion ✔
Lets you start instantly with a low-cost option Download the PDF, print, and play right away. No waiting ✔
You know exactly what you're getting You can inspect every card in advance. Zero surprises. ✔
Chess With Cards Pairs Naturally With…
Your favorite chess videos / streams / game recaps ✔
Your club lessons & coaching ✔
Your actual games, played OTB or online ✔
Your online courses ✔
Your books & workbooks ✔
Your training apps ✔
Your chess newsletters & blogs ✔

Everything You Get to Make Chess Stick

Chess With Cards comprises a very large set of resources: 190 'Core' Pattern Cards divided into 11 groups—Types of Opening; Types of Pawns; Types of Endgame; Control of Space; Condition of Pieces; Development & Initiative; Tactical Signals; Tactical Patterns; Special Techniques; Checkmate Patterns; Body & Mind—plus 20 'Strategic Glasses' Pattern Cards that cluster patterns for fast, structured scans. You also get 31 Quick Reference Cards (a recap of how to phrase the patterns), a Map of Patterns (also called the Grand Table of Evaluation), and a Pattern Tracker.

 

Pick Your Format and Start Adding Up Today

All three formats cover the same material — just pick your preferred style.

PDF pages with pattern cards on screen
Get the Print & Play PDF — $9.99

Local VAT / Sales Tax may apply

What You Get▾
  • PDFs for 190+20 Pattern Cards (Letter/A4)
  • PDFs for 31 Reference Cards (Letter/A4)
  • PDFs for Pattern Tracker (Letter/A4)
  • Access Info for free PDF of Map of Patterns

Ideal for instant access at the lowest price.

Instant Access & License▾
  • Instant download: secure checkout via Payhip, then you get the PDF files right away.
  • By purchasing, you confirm you’ve read and accept our License Agreement.
  • Your license lets you print one complete set of the cards for personal use (friends, family, students, club sessions). Each file is uniquely stamped to your order and cannot be shared or resold.
Easy Printing▾
  • Download , then print on A4 or US Letter at home or any copy shop — fastest and lowest-cost way to get the cards.
  • Cut along the guide lines (laminate first if you want extra durability) and you're ready in minutes.
  • See our simple printing tips.
Support a Club or CreatorSave 5% ▾▾
  • Pick a Special Edition from a club or creator and instantly save about 5%.
  • It's the same content you're seeing here, personalized with their logo and identity, plus some unique bonus cards.
  • Part of your purchase is shared with them as royalties, supporting their work and making chess more accessible.
Printed book with color diagrams
Get the BOOK (Standard Color) — $25.99 Get the BOOK (Premium Color) — $43.99

Local VAT / Sales Tax may apply

What You Get▾
  • 190+20 Pattern Cards (in-book print)
  • Pattern Tracker (at start of book)
  • Map of Patterns (complete, scaled for print)
  • Access Info for free PDF of Map of Patterns

Ideal for carry-anywhere study sessions.

Standard vs Premium Color▾
  • Both versions have the exact same content — only the print quality changes.
  • Premium Color: richer, more vibrant color.
  • Standard Color: lighter, more budget-friendly.
  • See how Lulu defines Standard vs Premium color here.
Shipping & delivery▾
  • Printed and distributed worldwide by Lulu.com.
  • Checkout is processed securely on Lulu.com
  • You'll see shipping options and delivery estimates on Lulu's checkout page, and you'll receive tracking once it ships.
Support a Club or CreatorSave 5% ▾▾
  • Pick a Special Edition from a club or creator and instantly save about 5%.
  • It's the same content you're seeing here, personalized with their logo and identity, plus some unique bonus cards.
  • Part of your purchase is shared with them as royalties, supporting their work and making chess more accessible.
Deluxe box with pattern cards displayed
Get the ESSENTIAL CARDS — $52.99 Get the DELUXE BOX — $84.99

Local VAT / Sales Tax may apply

What You Get▾

Essential Cards (ideal for fun with friends):
  • 190+20 Pattern Cards
  • Access Info for free PDF of Map of Patterns
  • Access Info for free PDF of Pattern Tracker

Deluxe Box (ideal for gifting):
  • 190+20 Pattern Cards
  • 31 Reference Cards
  • Map of Patterns (17x11 in / 432x279 mm)
  • Access Info for free PDF of Pattern Tracker
Essential vs Deluxe▾
  • Both versions use the same high-quality cards. There’s no difference in print quality .
  • Essential Cards: The core deck at the best price. No box, no printed extras, super packable. Perfect for travel, casual play, and enjoying a premium tactile experience without the extra bulk.
  • Deluxe Box: The full experience. Includes the core deck plus the reference cards and the printed Map of Patterns, all in a rigid box. Ideal as a gift, a collector-style set, or a polished table setup for club use.
Shipping & delivery▾
  • Printed, assembled, and shipped worldwide by The Game Crafter (USA).
  • Checkout is processed securely on TheGameCrafter.com
  • You'll see shipping options and delivery estimates on their checkout page, and you'll receive tracking once it ships.
Support a Club or CreatorSave 5% ▾▾
  • Pick a Special Edition from a club or creator and instantly save about 5%.
  • It's the same content you're seeing here, personalized with their logo and identity, plus some unique bonus cards.
  • Part of your purchase is shared with them as royalties, supporting their work and making chess more accessible.

Wait — you came here for the Special Edition

That version has the same cards plus exclusive extras and custom branding. It’s also about 5% cheaper.

Get the Special Edition Check out the Original Edition

FAQ

Can I see the patterns before I buy?

  • Yes. You can look at every Pattern Card in full, both sides, before you decide. You’ll know exactly what you’re getting. Explore all the cards here.

How does Chess With Cards help me improve?

  • It trains your mind to see what actually matters on the board. Each card is a tiny lesson with a clear visual hook. You start spotting patterns, not just reacting to moves. The Map of Patterns shows how chess ideas connect, so they live in your head as a mental map you can actually recall during games. The Pattern Tracker helps you track what you’ve actually learned, so you’re not just hoping you’re improving.
  • You don’t have to change how you learn, either. Keep playing, watching streams, doing puzzles — the cards just make all of that stick instead of fading. Over time your strategic board scan speeds up, you notice threats sooner, and your decisions feel calmer and more intentional.
  • You can also use the cards right at the board with someone else. Lay them out, play a normal game, and talk through positions together using the patterns. The light rules for that mode force both of you to explain what you’re seeing and why it matters. It’s fast, it’s collaborative, and honestly, you’ll both level up way faster than if you just silently blitz and say “gg.”

Is this for beginners or intermediates?

  • Both — and more than that. Chess With Cards helps at basically every stage.
    – If you’re newer: it builds real understanding, fast. Instead of guessing, you start thinking “that’s a weak square / that file is dangerous / that king is in trouble.”
    – If you’re in the middle: it organizes what you already kind of know, fills the gaps, and makes it easier to look for good plans instead of drifting.
    – If you’re stronger (or you coach): it gives you a shared visual language to teach ideas clearly and quickly, in a way that people remember, connect to what they already know, and feel the beauty of what’s really happening in the game.
  • One important thing: this is not a “learn how the knight moves” product. You should already know the basic rules. The real wall everyone hits after that is turning random moves into actual understanding. That’s where this starts working — helping you notice what matters, plan ahead, and feel in control when it counts.
  • Each card has a tiny three-dot level marker, so you can tell roughly who it’s for and move up at your own pace. You can also browse the full set by level — beginner, intermediate, expert — before you buy.

What’s the difference between the PDF, Book, and Deck?

  • PDF (most affordable): Instant download. You print it, cut it, and you’re playing. Great if you’re on a budget. You get all the Pattern Cards, the Reference Cards, and the Pattern Tracker in A4 / US Letter format.
  • Pocket Book (portable): A small book with the full card content — no printing, no cutting. Easy to throw in a bag and study anywhere. Available in Standard or Premium print (same content). Includes the Pattern Tracker in the book and a mini version of the Map of Patterns.
  • Decks (tactile, table-ready): Professionally printed cards, Good for gifts, kids, club nights, or just having them on the board while you play. Deluxe includes Pattern Cards, Reference Cards, a printed Map of Patterns (in the box), and a rigid box; Essential includes just the Pattern Cards for a travel-friendly price.
  • All formats include any Special Edition cards, and you’ll have free access to downloadable files for the Map of Patterns and Pattern Tracker.
  • Not sure where to start? Grab the PDF first, try it, then upgrade to a Deck or Pocket Book once you know how you like to use the system.

How is this different from other chess resources (e.g., Knightmare Chess, The Chess Deck, flashcards)?

  • It covers a lot more of the game. You get 200+ cards with around 190 named patterns — not just tactics or one-off themes, but most of the key ideas players keep talking about in books, streams, post-game breakdowns, real games, all of it. You’re getting the core language of chess in one place, and you can keep building on it.
  • It’s all standard chess, not another game. You’re playing normal chess the whole time. So anything you pick up from a card is something you can use right away in your real games, online or over the board.
  • It’s a full interconnected system, not a stack of tips. All the cards use the same visual language and are organized to show how ideas connect and sit next to each other. You’re not just collecting scattered concepts — you’re building a mental geography of chess you can recall in real positions, so you find plans faster and play with more confidence.

Can you create a custom edition for my chess channel, club or academy?

  • Yes. If you run a chess channel, club, or academy with an active community, we can make a custom edition for it. Here’s how it works:
    – There’s no upfront cost.
    – Your logo goes on every card.
    – You can link each card’s QR code to your content
    – You can add your own special cards.
    – You approve the design and we handle the rest: printing, packaging, delivery.
    – You earn royalties on every sale.
  • For creators: you get a real, high-quality product with your name on it — something your community can hold, use, and share. It also becomes a new revenue stream that isn’t ads or subs.
  • For clubs and academies: you get a deck that carries your identity wherever it goes. Players use it, share it, and gift it, so it connects current members and helps attract new ones. Royalties can also help fund prizes, events, or new learning material for your players.
  • If that sounds like something you want, get in touch and we’ll walk you through it.
  • And even if a full custom edition isn’t the right fit yet, you can already use our free Chess Streamers Visual Kit — a browser-based tool that lets you drop clean chess icons into your videos or streams so your commentary land instantly.