Chess
Pawn to King 4.
Cognitive benefits. The benefits of chess are myriad. Whether a novice learning the basics, or an expert delving into complex analysis, our program improves problem-solving, pattern recognition, and strategic thinking.
Chess skills are life skills. Chess study has many benefits away from the board. Students exercise the cognitive skills of focus, patience, and mindful decision-making, as well as interpersonal skills of respect and sportsmanship.
Grow your game with us.Our students build their skillsets from term to term. As such, we do not repeat specific lessons within the school year, instead we find fresh and exciting methods to explore the main themes of the game.
All skill levels welcome!
We encourage participants from all experience levels. Classes are grouped by like-skilled players so that instructors can deliver lessons and individual feedback appropriate to each and every player, from the newbie to the competitive player.
Extra Ed chess levels.
Based on skill and experience we designate each of our students an Extra Ed chess level: Pawn, Knight, Rook, Bishop, Queen or King. We use these levels to group students for instruction, track their progress in the program, and pair them in tournaments.
Available as a TDSB Partnership Program.
To learn about our chess program delivered as a TDSB Partnership Program please visit our Chess for STEM and SEL/Échecs pour STIM et AS page.
Curriculum notes.
Dependent on chess level and experience students may be instruction in:
- • Level 1, Pawn: Introduction to the game; piece-movement; and capture.
- • Level 2, Knight: Introduction to checkmate; castling; and basic endgames.
- • Level 3, Bishop: Opening, middle, and endgame theory; analysis of draws; tactics such as pins, forks and skewers.
- • Level 4, Rook: Intermediate checkmate; deeper understanding of tactics and combinations; game analysis.
- • Level 5, Queen: Game analysis; advanced opening, middle, and endgame strategies.
- • Level 6, King: Deep dive into game analysis and review; emphasis on gameplay and analysis of student games.
Available as Lunch and After-School Clubs.
Our Clubs are run as extracurricular programming in schools across southern Ontario. With exciting subjects, engaging instructors, and hands-on activities, this program offers educational experiences beyond the school curriculum. Learn more>
Available as In-Class Enrichment.
This program, delivered in-school during class time, has been designed to supplement and extend Ontario school curriculum. Our experiential mode of instruction brings unique activities into any classroom, resulting in meaningful and memorable learning outcomes. Learn more>
Junior kindergarten to grade 8.
Available in English and French.
