Chess
No matter what background your child has with chess, they are guaranteed to learn valuable skills from SJIC’s chess program. From learning how the pieces move to high level tournament play, our classes help to unlock your child’s full potential in critical and strategic thinking starting from the age of 5!
All students will receive:
- Chess Steps workbook
- Chesskid gold membership
- US Chess Federation membership
**We recommend scheduling an evaluation to determine your child’s level.
info@incntr.com
(856) 724-2496
Beginner
Grades K+ | Duration: 1 hour
Students are introduced to the game of chess, how pieces move & capture, chess rules, and how to start and finish a game successfully. While learning how the pieces move, students learn key strategies of each piece to develop good habits, thus building a solid foundation for success in chess and life. Beginning players will learn the basics of chess tactics, understand draws and develop skill at finishing and winning a game with checkmate.
Monday 6PM-7PM
Wednesday 5PM-6PM
Thursday 6PM-7PM
Advanced Beginner
Grades K+ | Duration: 1 hour
Students build on the basics of the game of chess. While learning how the pieces move, students learn key strategies of each piece to develop good habits, thus building a solid foundation for success in chess and life. Beginning players will learn the basics of chess tactics, understand draws and develop skill at finishing and winning a game with checkmate. Students are encouraged to play in scholastic tournaments that take place twice a month on Sundays at SJIC.
Monday 5PM-6PM
Wednesday 7PM-8PM
Thursday 5PM-6PM
Intermediate
Grades 3-5 or USCF 300-700 | Duration: 1 hour
Students learn to create plans, identify targets and goals, gain understanding of piece relationships, look three moves ahead, calculate variations, and consider their opponent’s defense. All of this is helping students learn the essentials of basic planning, whether in life or chess. Students are also encouraged to play in scholastic tournaments that take place twice a month on Sundays at SJIC.
Monday 7PM-8PM
Wednesday 6PM-7PM
Advanced Intermediate
Grades 3-5 or USCF 800-1100 | Duration: 1 hour
Students become strong in tactics and look 4+ moves ahead. They can identify key imbalances, formulate long-term plans, understand more complex endgames, and even develop the ability to visualize the chess board & pieces to the point of playing chess blindfolded! While developing a student’s skill much further, this level also brings in key elements that are essential to understanding the deep strategic thinking that will be experienced in the elite level. Students are also encouraged to play in scholastic tournaments that take place twice a month on Sundays at SJIC.
Wednesday 5PM-6PM
Elite
Grades 5+ or USCF 1000+ | Duration: 1 hour
Students work towards becoming a chess master. They learn opening repertoires that tie into middlegame plans, develop deep calculation ability, and advanced endgame strategies. They also learn self-analysis, chess psychology, and high level study habits. Players who choose too work through this level develop the experience of what commitment to long-term goals, consistent study, and disciplined training can lead to – an experience that parallels success in many areas of life. Elite students are encouraged to play in SJIC open tournaments held of Wednesday and Sunday evenings.
Wednesday 6PM-7PM
Chess for Teens
Grades 6-12 | Duration: 1.5 hour
This is a weekly social event for chess-playing middle and high schoolers.