Classes
- Studio
Chess Classes for Kids
|
Mon
|
Tue
|
Wed
|
Thu
|
Fri
|
Beginner-Pawn
IN-PERSON
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intermediate-Knight/Bishop
IN-PERSON
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intermediate-Knight/Bishop
ONLINE
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intermediate-Knight/Bishop
ONLINE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currently
offered as individual lessons
|
Description: These classes meet one hour per week (year-round) and
provide engaging topical chess lessons, short video tutorials, puzzles,
examples from grandmaster games and other fun activities in a proven
learning curriculum aligned with US Chess Federation recommendations.
Personalized instruction and an achievement chart make it easy for
students to sign up for a class at any time during the year. Progress
is tracked as proficiency is achieved on 30 topics within each level.
Each student charts his or her progress on a range of topics covered
in each level and can move at his or her own pace within the level.
Students can progress through Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced
levels of classes. These classes are able to go more in-depth than after-school
programs and other chess clubs.
The curriculum for studio classes draws on a variety of workbooks and
resources. Students in Beginning and Intermediate classes can purchase
the appropriate workbook for that level at the first class meeting.
Online students can purchase Chess4Life workbooks at www.Chesshouse.com.
Students
enrolled in classes are included as Hamden Chess Club members during
their period of enrollment and have the option to participate in in-person
tournaments at a reduced rate and weekly online tournaments with no
additional entry fee. Enrolled students also can join the private PMCA
Online Chess Club (for Scholastic students only) and challenge classmates
and fellow enrolled students to casual online chess games during the
week, outside of class.
Location: Play More Chess Academy is located at 1227 Whitney
Ave. Hamden, CT 06517. Parents/guardians have the option to stay in
the adjacent waiting room area during class if desired.
Instruction: All classes are taught by a US Chess Federation
Certified Chess Coach.
Sign up and Payment for Classes: To see current available classes
and to sign up please go to the Sign
up page. Payment
for classes is made in advance, on a monthly basis. Enrollment is ongoing
throughout the year, and new students can begin at any point during
a month. A spot in the class is reserved for that month once your payment
has been received. Continuing students maintain their spot in a class
as long as their account is current.
Additional Info:
Students can work through each level at their own pace. Each week one
or more topics will be introduced/reviewed. Completed topics are tracked
on individual achievement charts.
Please provided advance notice of any class absence (by phone or email).
If unsure about which class to register for, please review workbook
topics listed below and feel email info@PlayMoreChess.com
with any questions or to schedule a one-time assessment/lesson.
Sample
Curriculum Topics for Beginning and Intermediate Chess Classes.
Classes draw from a variety of resources, including various chess
puzzles and curriculum topics in the Chess-Steps Method, Chess4Life
and select books by IM Jeremy Silman.
|
|
BEGINNER
Pawn Level Topics Include: Chess Foundation, The King, Rook,
Bishop, Queen, Knight, Pawn, Pawn Promotion, Capture, Threat, Retreat,
Block, Safe Squares, Illegal Moves, Check, Checkmate, Major Mate,
Defend, Undefended Pieces, Castling, Pawn Shields, The Chess Board,
Development, Advance, Trade, Super Attack, Exchange, Overpower,
Scoring, Tournament Skills I
|
|
INTERMEDIATE
I
Knight Level Topics Include: Magic Square Mate, The Center, Active
Moves, Opening Principles, Scholar's Mate, Major Mate II, Defensive
Moves, Tactics Foundation, Pins, Skewer, Discovered Attacks, Forks,
Remove the Defender, Battery, Interference, Back-Rank Mate, X-Ray,
Checkmate II, Find the Best Move, Draws, King and Queen Mate, King
and Pawn Endgames, En Passant, Algebraic Notation, Using Rooks, Using
Pawns, Chess Variants, Convert the Advantage, Attack the King, Tournament
Skills II |
|
INTERMEDIATE
II
Bishop Level Topics Include: Planning, Attraction & Deflection,
Using Rooks II, Pins II, Discovery II, Fork II, Remove the Defender
II, Interference II, Back Rank Mate II, X-Ray II, Trap, Checkmate
III, Zwischenzug, Desperado, Draws II, Zugswang, King & Rook
Mate, King & Pawn Endgames II, Smothered Mate, Under-Promotion,
King & Pawn Endgames III, Outpost, Chess Variants II, King &
Two Bishop Mate, Know Your Board, Convert the Advantage II, Calculating
Variations, Defensive Resources, How to Study, Tournament Skills
III
|
 |
ADVANCED
Rook Level Topics Include: Pins III, Discovery III, Forks III,
Overload, Interference III, Back-Rank Mate III, X-Ray III, Checkmate
IV, King and Pawn Endgames IV, King and Pawn Endgames V, King and
Pawn Endgames VI, King and Pawn Endgames VII, Imbalance Foundation,
Material Imbalance, Space Imbalance, Pawn Structure Imbalance, Key
Squares Imbalance, Superior Minor Piece Imbalance, Development Imbalance,
Initiative Imbalance, King Safety Imbalance, Pawn Chains I, Attacking
the Castled King, Opposite Side Castling Attack I, Combinations, Rook
versus Pawns, Minor Piece Endgames, Chess Variants III, Tournament
Skills IV, Blindfold Chess I |
- After-School
Chess Clubs for Kids
Description: The after-school chess program provides a fun opportunity
to learn the game of chess and improve chess skills. We have a positive,
relaxed environment where students of all skill levels are welcome.
Playing chess encourages students to develop good sportsmanship, decision
making, patience, planning, and the ability to learn from mistakes.
Chess has also been shown to improve critical thinking skills, math
competency, concentration, and spatial reasoning. Each class includes:
a lesson on chess strategy and tactics, examples and puzzles illustrating
the topic, free play chess games with classmates, and reviewing the
material learned.
Play More Chess Academy has offered chess programs at Bear Path
School, Spring Glen School, Ridge Road School, Elm City Prep and other
schools in Hamden, New Haven and North Haven, CT.
Please
e-mail info@PlayMoreChess.com
to inquire about upcoming on-site after-school chess programming.
|