Q : Chess has benefits? What’s so great about Chess?
A : Chess provides & teaches: problem-solving/decision-making skills … handling and planning for surprises … ability to look ahead … healthy self-confidence … optimism … self-control mastery … innovative thinking … civility & honor … imagination & curiosity … concentration & patience … perseverance … teamwork … inspiration to handle difficult tasks … focus … emotional resiliency … seeing viewpoints … making connections … taking on challenges … communication … engaged learning.
Q : How do you evaluate a beginner’s playing strength?
A : Students must have fun, connect, and learn otherwise they will be bored. So, evaluating playing strength at the beginning is the first vital step. We use Tic-Tac-Chess to discover how well a student knows the pieces and sees tactically. A 4×4 chess board and a Pawn, Rook, Bishop, and Knight for each side. It’s fun to play for all levels and is a good warm-up exercise too!
Q : How DO the pieces and pawns move, by the way?
A : How They Move >>
Q : How much time is there for classroom chess playing?
A : The most important thing we do is team-structured playing! Instruction time is never more than 20 minutes and usually less than 15 minutes. Playing time is vital because our teaching strategy is scenario-based, meaning a hands-on, “brain-sticky” learning experience encouraging proficiency and mastery by putting concepts into real world actions.
Q : Do you teach or coach girls any differently than boys?
A : Yeah, we’ve heard what you’ve heard too… that girls don’t take to chess as much as boys… but The Chess Kitchen system uses Chess as a TOOL to build-up kids to truly know their personal worth and be healthier decision makers because of it… so our focus is more personal… we encourage and mentor all students so that everyone benefits… oh… and smiles a lot too!
Q : Isn’t straight chess very difficult and boring to those just starting out?
A : Yes… it certainly can be. We handle this challenge by using interactive mini-games and endgames. These games are lots of fun while reinforcing piece movement and tactics. We use the mini-games in order of complexity: Pawns Game … Pawns Game w/King … Bishop w/3 Pawns … Rook w/5 Pawns … Two Rooks w/King (demonstrates a critical end game technique we call “The Ladder”) … Knight v. Knight & Knight Games … Pieces v. Pieces … King Hunt w/full side (as a class) … Get Past the Guards (2 Knights w/8 Pawns) … Starting Position (get your full piece-only side back into their home squares) … Loser’s Chess (object is to have all your pieces captured) … Progressive Chess (each move increases by one) … Chess Mazes of various kinds are exciting for students too!
Q : Do you play any full Chess variants in your lessons?
A : Not for lessons, but we do play variants as an extra fun thing to do. Bughouse is a crazy variant and the kids just love it! We also have Chess related scavenger hunts and other extras we add to keep students engaged. One great favorite is having a ‘set-up’ tournament. During our Summer Mindcraft Chess Camps, we will play other outdoor/indoor sports too!
Q : What’s all this cost?
A : For our scholastic program, by working with sponsors and business partners who share our vision of kids gaining confidence as decision makers, The Chess Kitchen is often able to defray some or all of the program costs. For private lessons, group lessons, and business leagues we offer a flat-fee rate. We also offer fund-raising event tournament direction on a cost+ basis.
Q: Can you speak to our group/club about the importance of what you’re doing and how we might help?
A: Certainly! E-mail Chef Chess … I also offer non-TCK specific speaking topics for business groups, etc. – e-mail me for details.
Q: What about a casual weekly tournament for business people?
A: That’s on our menu as well – it fosters community and improves critical thinking skills! E-mail me for details today!
Q: Can you direct or host charity/fund-raising events? Tournaments?
A: Absolutely! Chess tournaments as fund-raising events are a unique and powerful way to raise money for charities, schools or groups of all kinds. These for-fun events are structured exactly like a real tournament and generate a lot of buzz! Contact Chef Chess via e-mail at chefchess@protonmail.com and let’s get one started for you or your organization today!