Welcome to Chess at Lee 2005-2006!

Please read the general information below, then click the above links for printable registration forms and more details about the club. Questions should be addressed to Chess Club co-chairs Paloma Díaz, Peter Jackson and Dena Garcia.

CLUB BASICS

• The Chess Club meets most Wednesdays of the school year (starting August 31, 2005) in the Lee Library from 2:50-3:45.

• Annual dues are $12 per child (let us know if you require a reduced rate). Registrations are accepted at any time during the year.

• NO CHILD MAY ATTEND CHESS CLUB UNLESS A PARENT OR GUARDIAN HAS SIGNED A CURRENT LIABILITY WAIVER. If you want your child to try out Chess Club before registering you MUST accompany him/her during Chess Club meetings. (This practice is also mandatory for younger students (K-1) during their first few weeks of attendance so that guardians can see firsthand whether their children are ready to concentrate on chess for an hour at a time.)

• You may deposit registration and dues in the "Chess Club" box on the round PTA table in the front hall (or send them to Chess Club co-chairs Paloma Díaz or Peter Malof). Make checks payable to "Lee PTA." Children/parents may also bring registration materials to chess club on their first day, but students will not yet be registered in the rankings computer so their games that day will not be recorded.

WHAT KIND OF KIDS ARE IN CHESS CLUB?

Chess Club is for children who have a real interest in improving their game. It is designed to be, not merely a fun way to spend an hour, but a focused, somewhat competitive, learning experience. Please make sure your child understands this commitment before registering!

Members are not required to attend Chess Club every week, but when they do attend they will be expected to fully participate in all chess club activities the entire hour. Parents should contact one of the Chess Club co-chairs if their children need to leave early for special appointments.

We do expect children to know the basic rules of chess before joining Chess Club. This may mean that families may have to spend a little time playing chess at home. The rules can be learned in about 15 minutes (they are fully described here).

YOUNGER CHILDREN

Because younger children are not typically ready to focus on learning and playing chess for an hour at a time, Lee Chess Club is restricted to grades 2-6; however, K-1 children may try out the club as long as their parents join them for at least the first few weeks. (Parents of all children are always welcome in Chess Club, either to simply watch or to help kids focus on their games.)

K-1 kids who stick with chess club are rare. So don't worry if your child doesn't sustain an interest. There's always another year!

Children (of any age) who do not stay fairly focused on chess during Chess Club will be asked not to return.

WHAT IS A CHESS CLUB MEETING LIKE?

Typically, we start each meeting with a ten-minute instructional session using a large teaching board. This session addresses chess tactics and strategies (children are expected to learn the basic rules of chess before attending chess club). We regularly bring in guest instructors who are experienced at teaching chess concepts to children.

After the short lesson, students pair off to play games (or to finish games that were started in previous weeks). We use a computerized ranking system to help determine skill level. This helps us pair students off with well-matched partners. The rankings are posted weekly.

Occasionally we spend the entire hour playing special games or doing exercises. Sometimes children are expected to practice specific strategies or openings in their games.

Children MAY NOT read, do homework, play Gameboys, trade Digimon cards, eat snacks, wander around, draw, or just hang out with friends. When they finish a game they start a new one. They may not leave early.

Sometimes students use specialized computer programs in the library to enhance their chess education. How to sign up for this is explained during Chess Club.

Snacks are sometimes provided to children as they leave Chess Club (they cannot be consumed in the library). Make a note on your registration form if your child has any special dietary needs.

DO CHESS CLUB MEMBERS NEED TO BRING ANYTHING FROM HOME?

All equipment, materials and instruction are provided in Chess Club (although you may occasionally be asked to print forms, puzzles, etc. from this website).

However, we highly recommend that each child obtain a practice board for home use, and that s/he spend some time outside club hours reviewing chess rules and strategies. Even if no one in your family knows how to play chess, please spend some time learning the game together so that we may minimize the amount of Chess Club time needed for teaching the basics (this site includes a complete page on how to play the game). Chess sets can be found at common drug stores for under five dollars.

Chess Club time is for playing matches and learning tactics and strategies, not learning the basic rules of the game.

KIDS IN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS?

Members who are in Lee's afterschool program should join their aftercare groups at 2:45, as usual, to check in with their teachers, who will then allow them to attend Chess Club.

Afterschool teachers will try to remind children about Chess Club on Wednesdays, but children should understand that it is their responsibility to remember to attend Chess Club. Families may set their own rules about how often children are expected to attend Chess Club, but from our point of view, we do not mind if children choose to stay with their aftercare groups some weeks instead of attending Chess Club.

But... Please make sure children fully understand that, if they do attend Chess Club on a particular week, they will not be allowed to return to their aftercare groups until chess club is over at 3:45!

Non-aftercare members (or children in outside aftercare programs) must be picked up and signed out promptly at 3:45!

EXTRA STUFF

Through the year, we will alert families about special activities, bonus challenges, tournaments, parties, etc.

See our section on "skill points" to learn about how we encourage members to spend a little extra time deepening their knowledge of chess.

We have an awards ceremony at the end of the year to recognize members who have excelled, not just in the game, but in sportsmanship, effort, etc.

STAYING IN TOUCH

Email is the primary method of sharing all Chess Club news with members and families. Sometimes this news is timely (such as when a meeting has to be canceled). Sometimes email will be used to alert members to special bonus work. Please be sure to let us know if you do not have reliable email access so that we may contact you in another manner. All announcements are archived on our news (announcements) page.

Don't forget, we always welcome parent volunteers (regardless of how much they know about chess). Just watching the games can be quite helpful because it helps focus the children. Parents may also play chess with members during Chess Club. Let us know if you are a skilled player, and we'll put you to work as an assistant teacher!

We're looking forward to a rewarding, fun year of Chess Club!

Registration Form • Ranking System • Point System • Chess Tips • Club Rules • Game Rules • Chess Notation • Chess Links • Announcements and Challenges