* Note: Students must have played at least 25 games of chess prior to signing up for this class. 

* Please Note: Depending on the class dynamic, class may run 10-15 minutes past the hour.

The Chess Club: Tournaments

This ongoing class was designed with students who have taken other classes with me in mind. All students are welcome, though this is a beginner’s level course. I recommend taking another course with me prior to this one because it ensures that students are playing against others at around their same level. Students’ levels, who have not taken prior classes with me, tend to be too high or too low for the class. The middle ground is knowing some basics about openings, strategies, tactics, and end games. I offer many different classes that students can take prior to this one to better prepare them for this class. The majority of learners in this class have either taken classes with me before or been in the class long-term (all academic year). Here are some things to ask your chess player who has NOT taken another course with me before signing up for this class:

Do they know specialty moves? (pawn promotion, en passant, and castling) If not, I recommend signing them up for Chess Camp or After-School Chess. 
Do they know openings? If not, I recommend Chess Camp Part Two, After-School Chess, or Chess: Openings
Do they know basic end game strategy? If not, I recommend Chess Camp: The Checkmate Series
If your learner would like to learn what the pieces are and is starting from scratch with no formal knowledge of chess, I recommend Chess: Level Zero. 
If your learner would like to learn more about tactics and strategies I recommend After-School Chess Part Two: The Middle Game

If your learner has some basic knowledge and background in the aforementioned areas this class will most likely be a good fit for them. If they have mastered all of the above then this class will not be challenging enough for them. For all others, please sign up with the correlating class prior to enrollment. The goal of this class is to raise their score and to prepare them to play tournaments.

I have a mini lesson at the beginning of each class and then it will be time to play! The mini lesson will be a tactical puzzle, chess strategy, or other pop-quiz-style basic chess skill assessment to either help build or solidify chess players’ knowledge of chess. Students will develop their skills in what they have learned either with me or other teachers through playing chess against other students. This class is ongoing, lessons do not build upon each other. Students may join at any time. Each class has an allotted amount of time for students to play. There are three things that make a chess champion: knowledge, experience, and temperament. The purpose of this class is to have an ongoing class where students may join at any time, meet new friends or see ones from other classes, and build experience playing chess.






Class Structure:
Introductions (5 minutes)
Mini Lesson and Sportsmanship review (10-15 minutes)
Chess Tournaments (40 min)
Questions (5 minutes)

Week of June 7 - Introduction to Notation and Sportsmanship

Week of June 14 - Basic Principles of Check and Checkmate

Week of June 21 - Chess Fundamentals 

Week of June 28 - Openings

Week of March 22 - Strategies

Week of March 29 - Tactics

Week of July 5 - End Games

Week of July 12 - Defenses for Black

Week of July 19 - Discovered Check/Tactics

Week of July 26 - Check/Checkmate/Stalemate

Week of August 2 - Check/Checkmate/Stalemate 

Week of August 9 - Tactics

Week of August 16 - Tactics

Week of August 23 - Tactics

Week of August 30 - Beginning opening fundamentals

Week of September 6 - Defenses for black

Week of September 13 - End game strategy 

Week of September 20 - Check/Checkmate/Stalemate

Week of September 27 - Tactics

Week of October 4 - Openings

Week of October 11 - Defenses for Black

Week of October 18 - Middle Game 

Week of October 25 - End Game 


My classes are intended to build within children a love of learning and chess and to also build healthy self esteem. I want all chess players who come to my class to have a great experience and to have FUN while learning at the same time. Thank you and I look forward to meeting you soon!