Discovery Chess: Intro to Pieces / Beginner

At Discovery Chess, led by Coach Rhonda, we are passionate about teaching chess in a way that inspires curiosity, strategy, and a love for the game! Our chess programs are designed to engage learners of all ages and skill levels, whether they’re just starting out or looking to sharpen their competitive edge.

Why Choose Us:
Expert Instruction: Our instructors are seasoned chess players and educators who bring years of experience to the table. We emphasize both foundational knowledge and advanced strategies, giving students a well-rounded understanding of the game.

Interactive Lessons: We believe learning chess should be fun and engaging! Our classes focus on active problem-solving, critical thinking, and friendly competition, helping students grow their skills while enjoying the process.

Tailored for All Levels: From beginners who want to learn the basics to more experienced players looking to refine their strategies, we offer classes suited to every stage of a student’s chess journey.
Our goal is not only to teach the rules of chess but to nurture creativity, patience, and resilience—skills that benefit students both on and off the board. Join us at [Your Program Name] and let’s explore the exciting world of chess together. 

From Coach Rhonda: 

So glad you've stopped by our profile. Chess is my favorite class to teach! I teach kids who love to play all kinds of games. Because chess is synonymous with Ivy League Intelligence, people often forget that chess is still a game, it doesn't have to be so serious, and anyone can learn how to play. Kids have a natural aptitude for chess; the challenge and complexity of it awakens the same cognitive merits as learning to play music, but kids don’t ever think of that because they get lost in the excitement of capturing those pieces and winning the game. It’s really a perfect fit.

That is the work I do -- I break down those mental barriers that chess is too hard, and I help kids discover how fun and invigorating it really is, and that they can be great at it. I opt not to lecture my students or go about teaching chess in a traditional manner. Creatively, I turn things upside down and inside out so the learning experience will be dynamic! Because of this, I may not be the best fit for all families, but I promise high engagement.

I like to incorporate unique learning tools into teaching, including technology, Legos, online games, brain teasers, stuffed animals, toy soldiers, and even food utensils: the Fork! 

Mannerly pets and stuffed animal spectators are welcome for younger learners! We use tech and online resources a lot in class, but at the same time, I welcome and work without it for those students not yet ready for it (mainly for classes with learners under 6). My classroom is a place for kids, so we have a good time playing other games within this game.

I offer a portfolio of chess classes for students ages 3 - 15, and have dedicated my curriculum to ensure that each learning style can be nurtured. 

You can follow me as Discovery Chess on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 
Discovery Chess is located in Richmond, VA. and offers in-person over the board play. 

As an experienced classroom teacher, and enrichment program director, I have worked with students of all ages, from PreK - 12th grade, developing local, state, national, and international programming. My specialties include Chess, Language Arts, and Special Subject areas that involve reading, writing, critical thinking, as well as the humanities. 

I hold a MeD in Instructional Design and Technology and a BA in English and Creative Writing, and have credentialed experience teaching grammar and editing to students in grades 6th -12th in a classroom and tutoring setting. I have worked in the book and magazine publishing industry as well, helping authors through the many stages of publishing, and have written and published a novel while children's' books are in progress. 

My philosophy is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to learning. So my lessons engage kinesthetic, auditory, and visual learners. I also adhere to Dr. Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences. 

I believe that learning should be fun, interactive, full of color, and we should laugh at least once together. My favorite things to do are to play chess, stay up all night reading, and also write. I'm a huge Marvel fan, and I love the beach!