CHECKMATES SCHOLASTIC CHESS PROGRAM

The goal of the CheckMates chess program is to teach children in grades K-6 the game of chess. All parents/guardians of students must complete the CheckMates program application before the 1st meeting of the quarter (please click below).

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Children will be taught the game of chess in it entirety. From learning the basics to practicing strategy and tactics, our aim is to pass on our knowledge of the game and let the children grow with it. A typical session will include a short lesson followed by play. 

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 As children master the game, they have the opportunity to advance in skill level and learn more advanced chess.

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Chess is the sport of the mind and has been proven to have an incredible number of benefits for kids that they will take with them for the rest of their lives:

Improves Critical Thinking
Increases Math & Reading Skills
Stimulates Intellectual Creativity
Improves Problem Solving
Creates Positive Competitive Attitude
and many other life long benefits!

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Through the game of chess, CheckMates strives to help kids succeed in school and also help them become productive members of society.

CheckMates Scholastic Chess Program teaches chess to kids from K-6 with a goal of advancing the beginning level student into a competitive, tournament level player.

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CheckMates prepares its students to compete in chess tournaments across the county and state including regional events, and even the Virginia State Scholastic Championship.

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CheckMates will have offer up the opportunity to be on a scholastic team and to compete in tournaments with other kids. 

Students will have the option to become nationally ranked tournament chess players, and are offered the opportunity to play at the US Chess Federation's tournament level events against other scholastic players in tournaments.  

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All teaching is done in a relaxed and fun way, without applying any sort of pressure on the student. 

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SOME ESSENTIAL RULES of CheckMates Scholastic Program

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1) HAVE FUN!

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2) MEMBERSHIP CARDS

Students must present their membership cards at every session. If a card is lost, notify us asap and we will replace it - one time.

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3) ALWAYS BE POLITE.

Greet your opponent on time in a pleasant way with a handshake. You may say, “it’s a pleasure to meet you, my name is…” or “I look forward to playing you” or “thank you for playing me” or something along those lines.  Never make any statement about your game expectations. Do not say anything that may offend your opponent. Also, avoid expressions, body language or gestures that may offend

4) BE a GOOD LOSER or WINNER AFTER a MATCH 

Either way, thank your opponent for a good game with a handshake.  If you lost, consider this to be a good learning opportunity and analyze what you might have done different, preferably with your opponent.  This is much more productive than getting upset. Remember, you can learn more from a single loss than from many wins, and when you learn you really win. If you won the game, make no statement about having won or celebrate in front of your opponent.  Simply thank them for a good game with a handshake. 

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5) ALWAYS FOLLOW THE RULES OF CHESS.

If your opponent breaks a rule and does not correct the move when asked, or you disagree about the move, ask the person in charge to make a ruling on the situation. Do not argue with your opponent. 

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6) NO TALKING WITH ANYONE DURING MATCH PLAY

Except for check, checkmate (both only a courtesy), draw offers, indicating an illegal move or a person in charge ruling request. This goes for the player or the spectator.

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7) TOUCH MOVE IS ALWAYS IN EFFECT DURING MATCH PLAY

Touched pieces (intentionally as if you were going to move the piece, not accidental) must be moved or captured if legally possible. The move is determined and final when you release the moved piece

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8) HAVE FUN!

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We encourage parents to help their children learn the very basics of chess at home. A great and free chess website is chesskids.com - a link is on our homepage.

By learning the basics of chess, like how each piece moves, children will enter the program more advanced.

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We strongly recommend purchasing proper chess gear for children. While the program will provide chess sets and clocks for children to use during meetings, we have found that most kids prefer their own gear. They will use it often and take their equipment with them to tournaments and will allow for easy play outside of CheckMate's hours.

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You may order chess equipment directly through the CheckMates which will also help our nonprofit and Greater Richmond Scholastic Chess   

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CheckMates students all start at the basic(Cub) level and will advance at their own pace to higher levels. Those levels are:

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