Grades: 3rd - 8th (lower grades may apply, but will only be allowed to stay by recommendation of instructor)
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location: Blue Oak School (1436 Polk St, Napa CA 94559)
Date: Wednesdays - 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29,
Description: Chess is known for its depth and complexity, often referred to as an intellectual pursuit. Learning chess can be a rewarding and intellectually stimulating pursuit, offering numerous cognitive, social, and emotional benefits. It can help improve critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills while providing a fun and challenging activity for individuals of all ages.
Each week, students will be shown a master level chess match on our classroom chess board, in the form of an engaging and interactive story. It’s been proven that the more amazing chess games you memorize, the more amazing your chess play becomes. During the story we will go over the opening, the middlegame, and important checkmate patterns that each master player is using. Students will vote, have small group discussions, and large classroom conversations to present their findings.
After the 20-25 minute lesson, the kids will spend the next 35-40 minutes playing chess.
King of the Chess Mountain: To help inspire friendly competition, which is the spirit of chess, the class will participate in King of the Chess Mountain. Students will have one tournament game per class, except for the first class and last class of the session. Each student will play everyone at least once during the session. Tournament scores will be added up at the end: 1 point per win, 1/2 point per draw (tie), 0 points per loss.
King of the class will get a King trophy. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will receive ribbons.
This course it taught by Cate Lauster, a chess instructor of 15+ years. Cate was the Chess Club President during her time at Texas A&M - CC. She currently teaches at the Berkeley Chess School (BCS) and coaches and assists at United States Chess Federation (USCF) tournaments in Walnut Creek and around the Bay Area. Her highest chess rating was 2100, she is now resting easy between 1800 - 1900. For reference a Grandmaster is 2500.
04/17/2024, 04/24/2024, 05/01/2024, 05/08/2024, 05/15/2024, 05/22/2024, 05/29/2024
Participants must currently be in grades 3 to 8.
Minimum: 8
Maximum: 20
Registration starts on 03/04/2024.
Please contact Blue Oak School if you have any questions.