The "Step-by-step" method was created by Rob Brunia and Cor van Wijgerden to teach children how to learn chess. The method was adopted by many clubs and schools in the Netherlands and slowly but steadily translated and continued its journey to many countries, starting initially from Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

So far, the series consists of 6 books (one for each step) for teachers and coaches (especially the first step book is also suitable for parents) and 3 exercise books for each step.
The series already existed in 1987. At that time, International Master Cor van Wijgerden was the coach of the Dutch National team. Coaching many young chess players with numerous exercises ready for these children, he realized the importance of the correct way of developing students. At some point, he needed the help of another experienced coach, Rob Brunia.
The deep knowledge of chess and teaching aspects of both authors led to a solid pedagogical method that fits the development of a child.

In 1987, the first manual for coaches was published along with the first exercise book, while by 1991, the fifth step had been published.
Since then, many additions and improvements have been made, but without Rob Brunia, who stopped due to other activities.
Some of these small or large changes are:

• Exercises that were difficult were replaced with easier ones or simplified

• New topics were added to the coaches' manuals

• The first lessons were expanded with more examples

• Small summaries, strategic topics of each chapter, and concepts that are developed were added to the coaches' manuals

• In 1999, the Sixth Step was released.

• In 2003, 2 small steps (specifically for children up to 8 years old) were created

• Extra and additional books were added

• Rupert van der Linden edited the illustrations found in each book of the series


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• 01 The chessboard
• 02 The movements of the pieces
• 03 Threatening and capturing
• 04 The pawn
• 05 Defense
• 06 Check and how to avoid it
• 07 Checkmate
• 08 Castling
• 09 Exchange and advantageous exchange
• 10 Simple attack
• 11 Draw
• 12 The pawn (2)
• 13 Chess notation

In the remaining 42 pages, there are 12 positions on each.
This means a total of 42x12-18 (the illustrations) = 486 positions.
The topics of the exercises closely follow the coaches' manual.