[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":12191},["Reactive",2],{"blogList":3},[4,850,1639,2838,3571,4730,5303,5992,6938,7543,7731,7936,8127,8360,8595,8727,8899,8961,9048,9105,9238,9324,9423,9644,9740,9877,10000,10139,10305,10562,10835,11082,11228,11431,11675,11810,11951,12067],{"_path":5,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":9,"description":10,"thumbnail":11,"header":12,"tags":13,"author":19,"authorUrl":20,"authorImage":21,"authorBio":22,"post_date":23,"summary":24,"seo":25,"body":29,"_type":845,"_id":846,"_source":847,"_file":848,"_extension":849},"/blog/7-focus-areas-to-break-your-chess-plateau","blog",false,"","Why Practice Doesn't Make Perfect: 7 Focus Areas to Break Your Chess Plateau","A question I get asked all the time: \"How many games does it take to reach a rating of 1000, 1500, or 2000?\"","/uploads/hero-section-1.png",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},[14,15,16,17,18,19],"Chess Improvement","Chess Rating","Chess Training","Chess Plateau","7 Focus Areas","Elliott Neff","/about/elliott-neff","/team/Elliott-Neff.webp","Elliott Neff is a USCF National Master, Founder/CEO of Chess4Life, and author of A Pawn's Journey. He has coached over 10,000 students and holds the USCF Level V Professional Chess Coaching Certification.","2026-05-02T07:00:00.000Z","Many chess players plateau because they practice the wrong things — or practice the right things in the wrong way. The 7 Focus Areas framework identifies the seven skills every well-rounded chess player needs and shows you how to find which ones to work on first.",{"title_tag":26,"description_tag":27,"estimated_reading_time":28},"7 Focus Areas to Break Your Chess Plateau and Improve Your Rating | Chess4Life","Why practice does not always make perfect in chess. National Master Elliott Neff shares the 7 Focus Areas framework for breaking through a chess rating plateau.","9",{"type":30,"children":31,"toc":820},"root",[32,46,51,71,82,87,91,98,109,114,119,144,158,161,167,172,177,182,194,206,209,215,226,301,306,311,337,342,345,351,363,370,433,439,444,450,455,458,464,469,475,487,502,508,513,519,531,537,549,555,567,573,578,584,596,599,605,610,622,627,639,644,647,653,658,706,711,714,720,725,754,757,763,775,780,791,794],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":35,"children":36},"element","p",{},[37,40],{"type":38,"value":39},"text","A question I get asked all the time: ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":42,"children":43},"strong",{},[44],{"type":38,"value":45},"\"How many games does it take to reach a rating of 1000, 1500, or 2000?\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":47,"children":48},{},[49],{"type":38,"value":50},"The honest answer is that some people play five times more rated games than I did and still rate lower than I did at 15 years old, when I earned the title of National Master. Others reach 1500 in a year and stop progressing forever. There is no single number of games that produces improvement.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":52,"children":53},{},[54,56,62,64,69],{"type":38,"value":55},"What separates players who keep getting better from players who plateau is not the ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":58,"children":59},"em",{},[60],{"type":38,"value":61},"amount",{"type":38,"value":63}," of practice. It is ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":65,"children":66},{},[67],{"type":38,"value":68},"what they practice and how they practice it",{"type":38,"value":70},".",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":72,"children":73},{},[74,76,81],{"type":38,"value":75},"This is the heart of what we teach at Chess4Life: ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":77,"children":78},{},[79],{"type":38,"value":80},"practice does not make perfect — practicing the right things, the right way, makes excellence",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":83,"children":84},{},[85],{"type":38,"value":86},"If your child has been playing chess for a while, has memorized some openings, and seems stuck around the same rating no matter how many games they play, they are almost certainly missing one or two key skills. This article will help you find them.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":89,"children":90},"hr",{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":93,"children":95},"h2",{"id":94},"are-all-chess-ratings-equal",[96],{"type":38,"value":97},"Are all chess ratings equal?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":99,"children":100},{},[101,103,108],{"type":38,"value":102},"The short answer is ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":104,"children":105},{},[106],{"type":38,"value":107},"no",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":110,"children":111},{},[112],{"type":38,"value":113},"Two players rated 1200 can have completely different needs to break through to the next level. One might have brilliant tactics but no idea what to do in the endgame. Another might play strong, careful chess but blunder under pressure. A third might know all the opening theory of a Grandmaster but have no clue why the moves work.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":115,"children":116},{},[117],{"type":38,"value":118},"Same rating. Three completely different growth paths.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":120,"children":121},{},[122,124,129,131,136,137,142],{"type":38,"value":123},"This is why generic advice — ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":125,"children":126},{},[127],{"type":38,"value":128},"\"practice tactics,\"",{"type":38,"value":130}," ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":132,"children":133},{},[134],{"type":38,"value":135},"\"play more games,\"",{"type":38,"value":130},{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":138,"children":139},{},[140],{"type":38,"value":141},"\"study openings\"",{"type":38,"value":143}," — produces such different results from one student to the next. Without identifying the specific gap, you can practice for years and barely move.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":145,"children":146},{},[147,149,156],{"type":38,"value":148},"If you are not yet familiar with how chess ratings work, our ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":151,"children":153},"a",{"href":152},"/blog/complete-chess-rating-guide",[154],{"type":38,"value":155},"Complete Chess Rating Guide for Parents",{"type":38,"value":157}," breaks down NWSRS, USCF, and how ratings change after each game.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":159,"children":160},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":162,"children":164},{"id":163},"the-pyramid-why-a-strong-foundation-matters",[165],{"type":38,"value":166},"The pyramid: why a strong foundation matters",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":168,"children":169},{},[170],{"type":38,"value":171},"Picture a pyramid. The base determines how high and wide the structure can grow.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":173,"children":174},{},[175],{"type":38,"value":176},"Chess works the same way.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":178,"children":179},{},[180],{"type":38,"value":181},"A player with a strong, well-rounded foundation can reach impressive heights. A player who has built only one part of their game — say, openings — has a tall, narrow tower that collapses the moment something unfamiliar happens.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":183,"children":184},{},[185,187,192],{"type":38,"value":186},"The mark of a serious chess player is not how strong they are at one thing. It is how ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":188,"children":189},{},[190],{"type":38,"value":191},"balanced",{"type":38,"value":193}," they are across the skills the game demands.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":195,"children":196},{},[197,199,204],{"type":38,"value":198},"In my work coaching over 10,000 students, I have come back to the same observation again and again: ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":200,"children":201},{},[202],{"type":38,"value":203},"the best chess players identify and fill in the gaps in their game",{"type":38,"value":205},". They do not just lean on what they already do well.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":207,"children":208},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":210,"children":212},{"id":211},"the-7-focus-areas-of-a-well-balanced-chess-game",[213],{"type":38,"value":214},"The 7 Focus Areas of a well-balanced chess game",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":216,"children":217},{},[218,220,224],{"type":38,"value":219},"Every chess skill fits into one of seven categories. I call these the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":221,"children":222},{},[223],{"type":38,"value":18},{"type":38,"value":225},":",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":228,"children":229},"ol",{},[230,241,251,261,271,281,291],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":232,"children":233},"li",{},[234,239],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":235,"children":236},{},[237],{"type":38,"value":238},"Opening",{"type":38,"value":240}," — the first 8 to 12 moves that set the tone of the game.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":242,"children":243},{},[244,249],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":245,"children":246},{},[247],{"type":38,"value":248},"Middlegame",{"type":38,"value":250}," — the complex stage where most of the action happens and the King must be protected.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":252,"children":253},{},[254,259],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":255,"children":256},{},[257],{"type":38,"value":258},"Endgame",{"type":38,"value":260}," — the final stage with few pieces left, where the King becomes an active fighter.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":262,"children":263},{},[264,269],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":265,"children":266},{},[267],{"type":38,"value":268},"Tactics",{"type":38,"value":270}," — short forcing sequences that win material or deliver checkmate.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":272,"children":273},{},[274,279],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":275,"children":276},{},[277],{"type":38,"value":278},"Visualization and Calculation",{"type":38,"value":280}," — the ability to see future moves clearly and choose the best one.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":282,"children":283},{},[284,289],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":285,"children":286},{},[287],{"type":38,"value":288},"Board Habits",{"type":38,"value":290}," — the routines you use during a game that prevent blunders and surface opportunities.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":292,"children":293},{},[294,299],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":295,"children":296},{},[297],{"type":38,"value":298},"Psychology",{"type":38,"value":300}," — your daily mindset and emotional control before, during, and after games.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":302,"children":303},{},[304],{"type":38,"value":305},"Some players are strong in some areas and weak in others. A player can be a Queen-level expert in tactics but a Pawn-level beginner in psychology. The strongest players grow all seven over time, but they grow them deliberately — not by accident.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":307,"children":308},{},[309],{"type":38,"value":310},"We dig into each Focus Area in detail in two follow-up posts:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":313,"children":314},"ul",{},[315,326],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":316,"children":317},{},[318,324],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":319,"children":321},{"href":320},"/blog/three-phases-of-chess-opening-middlegame-endgame",[322],{"type":38,"value":323},"The Three Phases of Chess: Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame",{"type":38,"value":325}," covers Focus Areas 1 through 3 — the actual phases of a chess game.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":327,"children":328},{},[329,335],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":330,"children":332},{"href":331},"/blog/chess-mental-game-tactics-visualization-psychology",[333],{"type":38,"value":334},"The Mental Game: Tactics, Visualization, Board Habits, and Psychology",{"type":38,"value":336}," covers Focus Areas 4 through 7 — the supporting skills that span every phase.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":338,"children":339},{},[340],{"type":38,"value":341},"This article is about how to use the framework itself.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":343,"children":344},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":346,"children":348},{"id":347},"how-to-find-the-gaps-in-your-game",[349],{"type":38,"value":350},"How to find the gaps in your game",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":352,"children":353},{},[354,356,361],{"type":38,"value":355},"Before you can practice the right things, you need to know ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":357,"children":358},{},[359],{"type":38,"value":360},"which Focus Area is your weakest",{"type":38,"value":362},". There are a few simple ways to find out:",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":365,"children":367},"h3",{"id":366},"_1-look-at-how-your-games-end",[368],{"type":38,"value":369},"1. Look at how your games end",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":371,"children":372},{},[373,383,393,403,413,423],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":374,"children":375},{},[376,381],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":377,"children":378},{},[379],{"type":38,"value":380},"Losing in the opening?",{"type":38,"value":382}," You have a gap in Focus Area 1 (Opening).",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":384,"children":385},{},[386,391],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":387,"children":388},{},[389],{"type":38,"value":390},"Losing in the middle of the game when the position gets complicated?",{"type":38,"value":392}," Focus Area 2 (Middlegame) or 4 (Tactics) is likely the issue.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":394,"children":395},{},[396,401],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":397,"children":398},{},[399],{"type":38,"value":400},"Failing to convert winning positions into wins?",{"type":38,"value":402}," Focus Area 3 (Endgame).",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":404,"children":405},{},[406,411],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":407,"children":408},{},[409],{"type":38,"value":410},"Missing simple tactics your opponents play against you?",{"type":38,"value":412}," Focus Area 4.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":414,"children":415},{},[416,421],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":417,"children":418},{},[419],{"type":38,"value":420},"Making moves quickly without thinking ahead?",{"type":38,"value":422}," Focus Area 5 (Visualization/Calculation) or 6 (Board Habits).",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":424,"children":425},{},[426,431],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":427,"children":428},{},[429],{"type":38,"value":430},"Falling apart when an opponent is much stronger or weaker?",{"type":38,"value":432}," Focus Area 7 (Psychology).",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":434,"children":436},{"id":435},"_2-ask-a-stronger-player",[437],{"type":38,"value":438},"2. Ask a stronger player",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":440,"children":441},{},[442],{"type":38,"value":443},"Show 5 to 10 of your recent games to a stronger chess player and ask them what they see. They will spot patterns in 15 minutes that would take you months to notice on your own.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":445,"children":447},{"id":446},"_3-use-a-self-assessment",[448],{"type":38,"value":449},"3. Use a self-assessment",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":451,"children":452},{},[453],{"type":38,"value":454},"For each of the 7 Focus Areas, rank yourself on a six-point scale, with the Pawn representing \"no knowledge\" and the King representing \"expert knowledge.\" Be honest. The patterns will jump out fast.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":456,"children":457},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":459,"children":461},{"id":460},"the-7-step-plan-to-actually-break-through",[462],{"type":38,"value":463},"The 7-step plan to actually break through",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":465,"children":466},{},[467],{"type":38,"value":468},"Once you have identified your weakest Focus Areas, here is a seven-step framework I have used with hundreds of students who have broken through long-standing rating plateaus.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":470,"children":472},{"id":471},"step-1-set-a-rating-goal",[473],{"type":38,"value":474},"Step 1: Set a rating goal",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":476,"children":477},{},[478,480,485],{"type":38,"value":479},"Note your current chess rating and decide on a new one. The ideal rating goal is ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":481,"children":482},{},[483],{"type":38,"value":484},"150 to 300 points higher than your current rating",{"type":38,"value":486},". Less than 150 is rarely challenging enough. More than 300 is often so far away that progress feels invisible.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":488,"children":489},{},[490,492,500],{"type":38,"value":491},"If you do not have an official rating yet, play 5 to 10 games online (we recommend ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":493,"children":497},{"href":494,"rel":495},"https://lichess.org",[496],"nofollow",[498],{"type":38,"value":499},"LiChess.org",{"type":38,"value":501},") to establish a baseline.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":503,"children":505},{"id":504},"step-2-read-briefly-through-each-focus-area",[506],{"type":38,"value":507},"Step 2: Read briefly through each Focus Area",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":509,"children":510},{},[511],{"type":38,"value":512},"Read the two follow-up posts in this series and rank yourself in each Focus Area. Be honest — pretending to be stronger than you are is a great way to keep being stuck.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":514,"children":516},{"id":515},"step-3-choose-1-or-2-focus-areas-to-work-on-first",[517],{"type":38,"value":518},"Step 3: Choose 1 or 2 Focus Areas to work on first",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":520,"children":521},{},[522,524,529],{"type":38,"value":523},"Not three. Not four. ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":525,"children":526},{},[527],{"type":38,"value":528},"One or two.",{"type":38,"value":530}," Trying to improve everything at once produces no real improvement in anything.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":532,"children":534},{"id":533},"step-4-decide-how-much-time-you-can-invest-per-week",[535],{"type":38,"value":536},"Step 4: Decide how much time you can invest per week",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":538,"children":539},{},[540,542,547],{"type":38,"value":541},"Be realistic. Write it down. ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":543,"children":544},{},[545],{"type":38,"value":546},"30 minutes a day, four days a week, is dramatically more effective than two hours one day a week.",{"type":38,"value":548}," Regular, intentional practice beats heroic cram sessions every time.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":550,"children":552},{"id":551},"step-5-pick-a-target-date",[553],{"type":38,"value":554},"Step 5: Pick a target date",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":556,"children":557},{},[558,560,565],{"type":38,"value":559},"If your goal is 300 points above your current rating, give yourself ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":561,"children":562},{},[563],{"type":38,"value":564},"at least 6 months",{"type":38,"value":566},". Some students hit it sooner, but unrealistic short-term targets create discouragement, not progress.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":568,"children":570},{"id":569},"step-6-start-a-journal",[571],{"type":38,"value":572},"Step 6: Start a journal",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":574,"children":575},{},[576],{"type":38,"value":577},"Track how much time you invested each day. Note what you practiced, what felt easy, and what felt hard. Five minutes of journaling at the end of each session will dramatically increase the quality of your practice over a few weeks.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":579,"children":581},{"id":580},"step-7-start-today",[582],{"type":38,"value":583},"Step 7: Start today",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":585,"children":586},{},[587,589,594],{"type":38,"value":588},"Not tomorrow. Not Monday. ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":590,"children":591},{},[592],{"type":38,"value":593},"Today.",{"type":38,"value":595}," Even 10 minutes of intentional work on your weakest Focus Area today will start the compounding process that leads to real improvement.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":597,"children":598},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":600,"children":602},{"id":601},"a-bonus-tip-ignore-your-rating-for-90-days",[603],{"type":38,"value":604},"A bonus tip: ignore your rating for 90 days",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":606,"children":607},{},[608],{"type":38,"value":609},"This is one of the most counterintuitive — and most powerful — pieces of advice I give my students.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":611,"children":612},{},[613,615,620],{"type":38,"value":614},"When you are working on a new Focus Area, you need the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":616,"children":617},{},[618],{"type":38,"value":619},"freedom to experiment",{"type":38,"value":621},". Trying new ideas means making new mistakes. Your rating may dip a little while you build the new skill.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":623,"children":624},{},[625],{"type":38,"value":626},"That is fine. Better than fine.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":628,"children":629},{},[630,632,637],{"type":38,"value":631},"After 90 days of focused work, your rating will not just recover — it will ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":633,"children":634},{},[635],{"type":38,"value":636},"break past your previous ceiling",{"type":38,"value":638},", because you have built a skill you did not have before. Players who watch their rating obsessively during this period often abandon the practice the moment their rating drops, and they never break through.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":640,"children":641},{},[642],{"type":38,"value":643},"Trust the process. Ignore the number. After 90 days, look back.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":645,"children":646},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":648,"children":650},{"id":649},"a-note-on-what-to-do-if-you-are-brand-new-to-chess",[651],{"type":38,"value":652},"A note on what to do if you are brand new to chess",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":654,"children":655},{},[656],{"type":38,"value":657},"If you are completely new to chess, the 7 Focus Areas framework is more than you need right now. Start with our beginner series:",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":659,"children":660},{},[661,670,679,688,697],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":662,"children":663},{},[664],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":665,"children":667},{"href":666},"/blog/how-to-play-chess-beginners-guide",[668],{"type":38,"value":669},"How to Play Chess: A Complete Beginner's Guide",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":671,"children":672},{},[673],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":674,"children":676},{"href":675},"/blog/how-to-set-up-a-chess-board",[677],{"type":38,"value":678},"How to Set Up a Chess Board",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":680,"children":681},{},[682],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":683,"children":685},{"href":684},"/blog/how-each-chess-piece-moves",[686],{"type":38,"value":687},"How Each Chess Piece Moves",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":689,"children":690},{},[691],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":692,"children":694},{"href":693},"/blog/chess-special-rules-castling-en-passant-pawn-promotion",[695],{"type":38,"value":696},"Castling, En Passant, and Pawn Promotion",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":698,"children":699},{},[700],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":701,"children":703},{"href":702},"/blog/checkmate-stalemate-how-chess-games-end",[704],{"type":38,"value":705},"Checkmate, Stalemate, and How a Chess Game Ends",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":707,"children":708},{},[709],{"type":38,"value":710},"Once you have played a few dozen games and feel comfortable with the rules, this series will help you take the next step.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":712,"children":713},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":715,"children":717},{"id":716},"where-to-go-from-here",[718],{"type":38,"value":719},"Where to go from here",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":721,"children":722},{},[723],{"type":38,"value":724},"If you are ready to dig into the specifics, the next two posts cover all seven Focus Areas in depth:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":726,"children":727},{},[728,741],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":729,"children":730},{},[731,739],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":732,"children":733},{},[734],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":735,"children":736},{"href":320},[737],{"type":38,"value":738},"The Three Phases of Chess: Mastering Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame",{"type":38,"value":740}," — covers the three phases of every chess game and the 8 imbalances that drive middlegame strategy.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":742,"children":743},{},[744,752],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":745,"children":746},{},[747],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":748,"children":749},{"href":331},[750],{"type":38,"value":751},"The Mental Game: Tactics, Visualization, Board Habits, and Chess Psychology",{"type":38,"value":753}," — covers the four supporting skills that determine how well you actually use your chess knowledge under pressure.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":755,"children":756},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":758,"children":760},{"id":759},"working-with-a-coach",[761],{"type":38,"value":762},"Working with a coach",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":764,"children":765},{},[766,768,773],{"type":38,"value":767},"Most students cannot diagnose their weakest Focus Area on their own. That is exactly what a coach is for. ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":769,"children":770},{},[771],{"type":38,"value":772},"Chess4Life's online classes",{"type":38,"value":774}," put students into small groups led by trained coaches who track each student's progress through our proprietary curriculum — built around the 7 Focus Areas framework you just read.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":776,"children":777},{},[778],{"type":38,"value":779},"If your child has been playing for a while and seems stuck, a few months of structured coaching often produces more progress than a year of self-study.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":781,"children":782},{},[783,790],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":784,"children":787},{"href":785,"rel":786},"https://chess4life.com",[496],[788],{"type":38,"value":789},"Learn more at Chess4Life.com",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":792,"children":793},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":795,"children":796},{},[797],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":798,"children":799},{},[800,802,809,811,818],{"type":38,"value":801},"Elliott Neff is a USCF National Master, Founder/CEO of ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":803,"children":806},{"href":804,"rel":805},"https://www.chess4life.com",[496],[807],{"type":38,"value":808},"Chess4Life",{"type":38,"value":810},", and author of ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":812,"children":815},{"href":813,"rel":814},"https://www.elliottneff.com/",[496],[816],{"type":38,"value":817},"A Pawn's Journey: Transforming Lives One Move at a Time",{"type":38,"value":819},". He has coached over 10,000 students and holds the USCF Level V Professional Chess Coaching Certification — the highest awarded by the United States Chess Federation.",{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":822},2,[823,824,825,826,832,841,842,843,844],{"id":94,"depth":821,"text":97},{"id":163,"depth":821,"text":166},{"id":211,"depth":821,"text":214},{"id":347,"depth":821,"text":350,"children":827},[828,830,831],{"id":366,"depth":829,"text":369},3,{"id":435,"depth":829,"text":438},{"id":446,"depth":829,"text":449},{"id":460,"depth":821,"text":463,"children":833},[834,835,836,837,838,839,840],{"id":471,"depth":829,"text":474},{"id":504,"depth":829,"text":507},{"id":515,"depth":829,"text":518},{"id":533,"depth":829,"text":536},{"id":551,"depth":829,"text":554},{"id":569,"depth":829,"text":572},{"id":580,"depth":829,"text":583},{"id":601,"depth":821,"text":604},{"id":649,"depth":821,"text":652},{"id":716,"depth":821,"text":719},{"id":759,"depth":821,"text":762},"markdown","content:blog:7-focus-areas-to-break-your-chess-plateau.md","content","blog/7-focus-areas-to-break-your-chess-plateau.md","md",{"_path":702,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":705,"description":851,"thumbnail":852,"header":853,"tags":854,"author":19,"authorUrl":20,"authorImage":21,"authorBio":22,"post_date":23,"summary":860,"seo":861,"body":865,"_type":845,"_id":1637,"_source":847,"_file":1638,"_extension":849},"Every chess game ends in one of three ways:","/uploads/trophies-1192x628.png",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},[855,856,857,858,859,19],"Checkmate","Stalemate","Chess Draws","Chess Rules","Beginner Chess","Every chess game ends in one of three ways: checkmate (a win), a draw, or resignation. Learn the difference between check and checkmate, why stalemate is so frustrating for beginners, and the four most common ways a chess game ends in a draw.",{"title_tag":862,"description_tag":863,"estimated_reading_time":864},"Checkmate, Stalemate, and How a Chess Game Ends | Chess4Life","Understand the difference between check and checkmate, why stalemate is a draw, and the most common ways a chess game ends. A clear beginner-friendly explanation.","7",{"type":30,"children":866,"toc":1621},[867,871,903,922,938,941,947,958,977,988,1021,1033,1047,1050,1056,1066,1071,1083,1136,1146,1149,1155,1164,1195,1207,1217,1230,1235,1238,1244,1249,1255,1260,1278,1283,1289,1301,1306,1312,1317,1340,1345,1351,1356,1362,1379,1384,1387,1393,1398,1431,1436,1441,1444,1450,1461,1471,1484,1487,1493,1498,1538,1550,1561,1564,1570,1589,1599,1602],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":868,"children":869},{},[870],{"type":38,"value":851},{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":872,"children":873},{},[874,883,893],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":875,"children":876},{},[877,881],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":878,"children":879},{},[880],{"type":38,"value":855},{"type":38,"value":882}," — one player wins by trapping the opponent's King.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":884,"children":885},{},[886,891],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":887,"children":888},{},[889],{"type":38,"value":890},"A draw",{"type":38,"value":892}," — neither player wins. There are several different ways this can happen.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":894,"children":895},{},[896,901],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":897,"children":898},{},[899],{"type":38,"value":900},"Resignation",{"type":38,"value":902}," — a player concedes defeat before getting checkmated, usually because their position is hopeless.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":904,"children":905},{},[906,908,913,915,920],{"type":38,"value":907},"Of these, the most important — and the most misunderstood — are ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":909,"children":910},{},[911],{"type":38,"value":912},"checkmate",{"type":38,"value":914}," and ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":916,"children":917},{},[918],{"type":38,"value":919},"stalemate",{"type":38,"value":921},". Confusing the two has decided thousands of beginner games. This guide will make sure you never mix them up.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":923,"children":924},{},[925,927,932,933,937],{"type":38,"value":926},"If you are still working through the basic rules, start with ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":928,"children":929},{"href":666},[930],{"type":38,"value":931},"How to Play Chess",{"type":38,"value":914},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":934,"children":935},{"href":684},[936],{"type":38,"value":687},{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":939,"children":940},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":942,"children":944},{"id":943},"check-a-king-under-attack",[945],{"type":38,"value":946},"Check: a King under attack",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":948,"children":949},{},[950,952,957],{"type":38,"value":951},"Before checkmate comes ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":953,"children":954},{},[955],{"type":38,"value":956},"check",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":959,"children":960},{},[961,963,968,970,975],{"type":38,"value":962},"A King is ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":964,"children":965},{},[966],{"type":38,"value":967},"in check",{"type":38,"value":969}," when it is being attacked by an opponent's piece. Check is not the end of the game — it is a warning. When your King is in check, you must do ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":971,"children":972},{},[973],{"type":38,"value":974},"something",{"type":38,"value":976}," to address the attack on your very next move.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":978,"children":979},{},[980,982,987],{"type":38,"value":981},"There are exactly ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":983,"children":984},{},[985],{"type":38,"value":986},"three legal responses to check",{"type":38,"value":225},{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":989,"children":990},{},[991,1001,1011],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":992,"children":993},{},[994,999],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":995,"children":996},{},[997],{"type":38,"value":998},"Move the King",{"type":38,"value":1000}," to a safe square that is not attacked.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1002,"children":1003},{},[1004,1009],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1005,"children":1006},{},[1007],{"type":38,"value":1008},"Capture the attacking piece",{"type":38,"value":1010},", removing the threat.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1012,"children":1013},{},[1014,1019],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1015,"children":1016},{},[1017],{"type":38,"value":1018},"Block the check",{"type":38,"value":1020}," by placing one of your own pieces between the attacker and the King. (This only works against attacks from Queens, Rooks, and Bishops — pieces that move in lines. You cannot block a Knight check, because Knights jump.)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1022,"children":1023},{},[1024,1026,1031],{"type":38,"value":1025},"If you have at least one of those three options, the game continues. If you have ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1027,"children":1028},{},[1029],{"type":38,"value":1030},"none",{"type":38,"value":1032}," of those options, the game is over — that is checkmate.",{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":1035,"children":1036},"blockquote",{},[1037],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1038,"children":1039},{},[1040,1045],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1041,"children":1042},{},[1043],{"type":38,"value":1044},"A common beginner mistake:",{"type":38,"value":1046}," Trying to ignore a check. You are not allowed to make any move that leaves your King in check, even an unrelated move on the other side of the board. The check must be addressed immediately.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":1048,"children":1049},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":1051,"children":1053},{"id":1052},"checkmate-the-goal-of-every-chess-game",[1054],{"type":38,"value":1055},"Checkmate: the goal of every chess game",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1057,"children":1058},{},[1059,1064],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1060,"children":1061},{},[1062],{"type":38,"value":1063},"Checkmate happens when a player's King is in check and there is no legal way to escape.",{"type":38,"value":1065}," No safe squares to move to. No piece available to capture the attacker. No piece available to block.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1067,"children":1068},{},[1069],{"type":38,"value":1070},"When checkmate occurs, the game ends instantly. The losing King is never actually captured or removed from the board — the position itself is the conclusion. Players traditionally shake hands (or, online, type \"good game\") and the game is over.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1072,"children":1073},{},[1074,1076,1081],{"type":38,"value":1075},"There are countless ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1077,"children":1078},{},[1079],{"type":38,"value":1080},"checkmating patterns",{"type":38,"value":1082}," in chess. Some of the most famous include:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":1084,"children":1085},{},[1086,1096,1106,1116,1126],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1087,"children":1088},{},[1089,1094],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1090,"children":1091},{},[1092],{"type":38,"value":1093},"Back Rank Mate",{"type":38,"value":1095}," — a Rook or Queen delivers checkmate along the King's back rank when the King is trapped behind its own Pawns.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1097,"children":1098},{},[1099,1104],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1100,"children":1101},{},[1102],{"type":38,"value":1103},"Smothered Mate",{"type":38,"value":1105}," — a Knight delivers checkmate to a King surrounded entirely by its own pieces.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1107,"children":1108},{},[1109,1114],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1110,"children":1111},{},[1112],{"type":38,"value":1113},"Two-Rook Mate (the Ladder)",{"type":38,"value":1115}," — two Rooks work together to drive the King to the edge of the board.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1117,"children":1118},{},[1119,1124],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1120,"children":1121},{},[1122],{"type":38,"value":1123},"Queen and King Mate",{"type":38,"value":1125}," — the Queen, supported by the King, traps a lone King in the corner.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1127,"children":1128},{},[1129,1134],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1130,"children":1131},{},[1132],{"type":38,"value":1133},"Bishop and Knight Mate",{"type":38,"value":1135}," — a famously tricky pattern using only minor pieces.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1137,"children":1138},{},[1139,1141,1145],{"type":38,"value":1140},"Learning common mating patterns is one of the fastest ways to improve as a chess player. We dig into this more in ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":1142,"children":1143},{"href":320},[1144],{"type":38,"value":738},{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":1147,"children":1148},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":1150,"children":1152},{"id":1151},"stalemate-a-draw-that-often-surprises-beginners",[1153],{"type":38,"value":1154},"Stalemate: a draw that often surprises beginners",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1156,"children":1157},{},[1158,1162],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1159,"children":1160},{},[1161],{"type":38,"value":856},{"type":38,"value":1163}," is one of the most painful concepts in chess for new players. It happens when:",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":1165,"children":1166},{},[1167,1184],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1168,"children":1169},{},[1170,1172,1177,1179],{"type":38,"value":1171},"The player whose turn it is has ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1173,"children":1174},{},[1175],{"type":38,"value":1176},"no legal moves",{"type":38,"value":1178}," at all, ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1180,"children":1181},{},[1182],{"type":38,"value":1183},"and",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1185,"children":1186},{},[1187,1189,1194],{"type":38,"value":1188},"Their King is ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1190,"children":1191},{},[1192],{"type":38,"value":1193},"not currently in check",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1196,"children":1197},{},[1198,1200,1205],{"type":38,"value":1199},"When both of those are true, the game is a draw. Not a loss for the stuck player — a ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":1201,"children":1202},{},[1203],{"type":38,"value":1204},"draw",{"type":38,"value":1206},". Even if the stuck player has only their King left and the other player has a Queen, two Rooks, and three Pawns, the game ends in a tie.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1208,"children":1209},{},[1210,1212],{"type":38,"value":1211},"This is the rule that has cost more young players their first \"almost wins\" than any other. A student is winning easily, the opponent has only a King, and they accidentally put the King in a position where it cannot move and is not in check. ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":1213,"children":1214},{},[1215],{"type":38,"value":1216},"Stalemate. Draw.",{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":1218,"children":1219},{},[1220],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1221,"children":1222},{},[1223,1228],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1224,"children":1225},{},[1226],{"type":38,"value":1227},"The lesson stalemate teaches:",{"type":38,"value":1229}," Always give your opponent's King at least one legal move when you are winning, until you can deliver checkmate. The fastest way to do this in beginner-level endgames is to make sure your King is helping, not crowding the opponent's escape routes too tightly.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1231,"children":1232},{},[1233],{"type":38,"value":1234},"I have a student who once turned a winning position into a stalemate three games in a row. After he learned the pattern that caused it, he never made that mistake again. Stalemate is a teacher.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":1236,"children":1237},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":1239,"children":1241},{"id":1240},"other-ways-a-chess-game-can-end-in-a-draw",[1242],{"type":38,"value":1243},"Other ways a chess game can end in a draw",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1245,"children":1246},{},[1247],{"type":38,"value":1248},"Stalemate is just one type of draw. Here are the others a beginner is likely to encounter:",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":1250,"children":1252},{"id":1251},"insufficient-material",[1253],{"type":38,"value":1254},"Insufficient material",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1256,"children":1257},{},[1258],{"type":38,"value":1259},"If neither player has enough pieces to deliver a checkmate, the game is automatically a draw. Some examples:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":1261,"children":1262},{},[1263,1268,1273],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1264,"children":1265},{},[1266],{"type":38,"value":1267},"King vs. King",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1269,"children":1270},{},[1271],{"type":38,"value":1272},"King and Bishop vs. King",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1274,"children":1275},{},[1276],{"type":38,"value":1277},"King and Knight vs. King",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1279,"children":1280},{},[1281],{"type":38,"value":1282},"In these positions, no sequence of legal moves can produce a checkmate, so the game ends in a draw.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":1284,"children":1286},{"id":1285},"threefold-repetition",[1287],{"type":38,"value":1288},"Threefold repetition",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1290,"children":1291},{},[1292,1294,1299],{"type":38,"value":1293},"If the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1295,"children":1296},{},[1297],{"type":38,"value":1298},"exact same position",{"type":38,"value":1300}," appears on the board three times during a game (with the same player to move and the same available moves), either player can claim a draw. 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They often happen when both players believe the position is balanced and neither has realistic winning chances.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":1346,"children":1348},{"id":1347},"the-50-move-rule",[1349],{"type":38,"value":1350},"The 50-move rule",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1352,"children":1353},{},[1354],{"type":38,"value":1355},"If 50 consecutive moves go by with no Pawn moves and no captures, either player can claim a draw. This rule, like threefold repetition, exists to keep games from dragging on without progress.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":1357,"children":1359},{"id":1358},"resignation-not-technically-a-draw",[1360],{"type":38,"value":1361},"Resignation (not technically a draw)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1363,"children":1364},{},[1365,1367,1372,1374],{"type":38,"value":1366},"A player who believes their position is hopeless can ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1368,"children":1369},{},[1370],{"type":38,"value":1371},"resign",{"type":38,"value":1373}," instead of playing on to checkmate. In tournament play, a resignation is recorded as a loss for the resigning player and a win for the opponent. Online, you usually click a \"resign\" button. Over the board, you can simply tip your King over or say ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":1375,"children":1376},{},[1377],{"type":38,"value":1378},"\"I resign.\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1380,"children":1381},{},[1382],{"type":38,"value":1383},"There is no shame in resigning a hopeless game. Strong players resign all the time when they see no realistic way to save the position. It is a sign of respect for both players' time.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":1385,"children":1386},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":1388,"children":1390},{"id":1389},"how-tournaments-score-wins-draws-and-losses",[1391],{"type":38,"value":1392},"How tournaments score wins, draws, and losses",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1394,"children":1395},{},[1396],{"type":38,"value":1397},"In standard tournament chess, results translate to points like this:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":1399,"children":1400},{},[1401,1411,1421],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1402,"children":1403},{},[1404,1409],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1405,"children":1406},{},[1407],{"type":38,"value":1408},"Win:",{"type":38,"value":1410}," 1 point",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1412,"children":1413},{},[1414,1419],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1415,"children":1416},{},[1417],{"type":38,"value":1418},"Draw:",{"type":38,"value":1420}," 0.5 points (each player)",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1422,"children":1423},{},[1424,1429],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1425,"children":1426},{},[1427],{"type":38,"value":1428},"Loss:",{"type":38,"value":1430}," 0 points",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1432,"children":1433},{},[1434],{"type":38,"value":1435},"A tournament with 5 rounds is a 5-point tournament. A player scoring 4 out of 5 has won four games and drawn one (or won three and drawn two), and so on.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1437,"children":1438},{},[1439],{"type":38,"value":1440},"This scoring system is why every game matters — even a single draw can change a player's standing.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":1442,"children":1443},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":1445,"children":1447},{"id":1446},"the-win-draw-learn-mindset",[1448],{"type":38,"value":1449},"The Win, Draw, Learn® mindset",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1451,"children":1452},{},[1453,1455,1460],{"type":38,"value":1454},"At Chess4Life, we teach a mindset that has changed how thousands of our students experience the ups and downs of chess: ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1456,"children":1457},{},[1458],{"type":38,"value":1459},"Win, Draw, Learn®",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1462,"children":1463},{},[1464,1466],{"type":38,"value":1465},"There is no \"lose\" in our vocabulary. Every game ends in a win, a draw, or a learning opportunity. Some of the most important growth happens after a tough loss — but only if the player is willing to look at the game and ask, ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":1467,"children":1468},{},[1469],{"type":38,"value":1470},"\"What can I learn from this?\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1472,"children":1473},{},[1474,1476,1482],{"type":38,"value":1475},"I share more about this in ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":1477,"children":1479},{"href":1478},"/blog/chess-is-the-vehicle-the-teacher-is-the-driver",[1480],{"type":38,"value":1481},"Chess Is the Vehicle. The Teacher Is the Driver.",{"type":38,"value":1483}," — a deeper essay about how chess can build life skills when the environment around it is built thoughtfully.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":1485,"children":1486},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":1488,"children":1490},{"id":1489},"what-comes-next",[1491],{"type":38,"value":1492},"What comes next",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1494,"children":1495},{},[1496],{"type":38,"value":1497},"If you have made it through this beginner series — congratulations. You now know:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":1499,"children":1500},{},[1501,1509,1517,1525,1533],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1502,"children":1503},{},[1504],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":1505,"children":1506},{"href":666},[1507],{"type":38,"value":1508},"How to play chess and the basic flow of a game",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1510,"children":1511},{},[1512],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":1513,"children":1514},{"href":675},[1515],{"type":38,"value":1516},"How to set up a chess board",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1518,"children":1519},{},[1520],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":1521,"children":1522},{"href":684},[1523],{"type":38,"value":1524},"How each piece moves",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1526,"children":1527},{},[1528],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":1529,"children":1530},{"href":693},[1531],{"type":38,"value":1532},"The three special rules",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1534,"children":1535},{},[1536],{"type":38,"value":1537},"How a chess game ends (this post)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1539,"children":1540},{},[1541,1543,1548],{"type":38,"value":1542},"That is genuinely everything you need to play complete games. The next stage of your chess journey is ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1544,"children":1545},{},[1546],{"type":38,"value":1547},"getting better at the game",{"type":38,"value":1549},". That is where our intermediate series picks up.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1551,"children":1552},{},[1553,1555,1559],{"type":38,"value":1554},"Start with ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":1556,"children":1557},{"href":5},[1558],{"type":38,"value":9},{"type":38,"value":1560}," for a framework that has helped countless students take their game to the next level.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":1562,"children":1563},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":1565,"children":1567},{"id":1566},"keep-learning-with-chess4life",[1568],{"type":38,"value":1569},"Keep learning with Chess4Life",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1571,"children":1572},{},[1573,1575,1580,1582,1587],{"type":38,"value":1574},"Once you know how the game ends, the next step is learning how to ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":1576,"children":1577},{},[1578],{"type":38,"value":1579},"finish",{"type":38,"value":1581}," games well — converting winning positions into wins, holding tough positions into draws, and learning from every result. Chess4Life's ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1583,"children":1584},{},[1585],{"type":38,"value":1586},"online classes, seasonal camps, and competitions",{"type":38,"value":1588}," are built to take students from \"I just learned the rules\" to \"I just won my first tournament.\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1590,"children":1591},{},[1592,1598],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":1593,"children":1595},{"href":785,"rel":1594},[496],[1596],{"type":38,"value":1597},"Explore programs at Chess4Life.com",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":1600,"children":1601},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1603,"children":1604},{},[1605],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":1606,"children":1607},{},[1608,1609,1614,1615,1620],{"type":38,"value":801},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":1610,"children":1612},{"href":804,"rel":1611},[496],[1613],{"type":38,"value":808},{"type":38,"value":810},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":1616,"children":1618},{"href":813,"rel":1617},[496],[1619],{"type":38,"value":817},{"type":38,"value":819},{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":1622},[1623,1624,1625,1626,1633,1634,1635,1636],{"id":943,"depth":821,"text":946},{"id":1052,"depth":821,"text":1055},{"id":1151,"depth":821,"text":1154},{"id":1240,"depth":821,"text":1243,"children":1627},[1628,1629,1630,1631,1632],{"id":1251,"depth":829,"text":1254},{"id":1285,"depth":829,"text":1288},{"id":1308,"depth":829,"text":1311},{"id":1347,"depth":829,"text":1350},{"id":1358,"depth":829,"text":1361},{"id":1389,"depth":821,"text":1392},{"id":1446,"depth":821,"text":1449},{"id":1489,"depth":821,"text":1492},{"id":1566,"depth":821,"text":1569},"content:blog:checkmate-stalemate-how-chess-games-end.md","blog/checkmate-stalemate-how-chess-games-end.md",{"_path":331,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":751,"description":1640,"thumbnail":1641,"header":1642,"tags":1643,"author":19,"authorUrl":20,"authorImage":21,"authorBio":22,"post_date":23,"summary":1648,"seo":1649,"body":1653,"_type":845,"_id":2836,"_source":847,"_file":2837,"_extension":849},"You can know everything about openings, middlegames, and endgames and still lose to a player who knows less than you do.","/uploads/friday-night-quad1.jpeg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},[1644,1645,1646,1647,14,18,19],"Chess Tactics","Chess Visualization","Chess Calculation","Chess Psychology","Chess is won as much in the mind as on the board. The four supporting skills — tactics, visualization and calculation, board habits, and psychology — determine how well you actually use everything else you know. Learn how to train each one with practical exercises from National Master Elliott Neff.",{"title_tag":1650,"description_tag":1651,"estimated_reading_time":1652},"Chess Tactics, Visualization, Board Habits, and Psychology: The Mental Game | Chess4Life","Master the mental side of chess. Practical exercises for tactics training, visualization, calculation, board habits, and chess psychology — the four skills that separate strong players from average ones.","13",{"type":30,"children":1654,"toc":2810},[1655,1659,1677,1689,1701,1740,1755,1758,1764,1782,1788,1800,1805,1811,1816,1828,1834,1839,1872,1892,1904,1907,1913,1918,1954,1959,1965,1970,1975,1981,1986,1994,2013,2018,2026,2045,2050,2058,2077,2082,2090,2095,2101,2113,2177,2189,2209,2212,2218,2228,2234,2245,2250,2262,2268,2280,2336,2341,2347,2359,2391,2396,2409,2412,2418,2428,2434,2439,2465,2470,2476,2488,2493,2499,2507,2526,2534,2553,2561,2566,2571,2622,2627,2633,2645,2650,2653,2659,2664,2695,2707,2710,2716,2728,2733,2738,2741,2745,2771,2783,2788,2791],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1656,"children":1657},{},[1658],{"type":38,"value":1640},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1660,"children":1661},{},[1662,1664,1669,1671,1676],{"type":38,"value":1663},"How? Because chess is not just about ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":1665,"children":1666},{},[1667],{"type":38,"value":1668},"what you know",{"type":38,"value":1670},". It is about ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1672,"children":1673},{},[1674],{"type":38,"value":1675},"how well you use what you know under pressure",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1678,"children":1679},{},[1680,1682,1687],{"type":38,"value":1681},"This is the difference between knowing chess and ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":1683,"children":1684},{},[1685],{"type":38,"value":1686},"playing",{"type":38,"value":1688}," chess. The first is about information. The second is about execution.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1690,"children":1691},{},[1692,1694,1699],{"type":38,"value":1693},"This article covers Focus Areas 4 through 7 from our ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":1695,"children":1696},{"href":5},[1697],{"type":38,"value":1698},"7 Focus Areas framework",{"type":38,"value":1700}," — the four supporting skills that determine how well you actually use everything else:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":1702,"children":1703},{},[1704,1713,1722,1731],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1705,"children":1706},{},[1707,1711],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1708,"children":1709},{},[1710],{"type":38,"value":268},{"type":38,"value":1712}," — spotting and executing forcing sequences.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1714,"children":1715},{},[1716,1720],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1717,"children":1718},{},[1719],{"type":38,"value":278},{"type":38,"value":1721}," — seeing future positions clearly and choosing the best move.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1723,"children":1724},{},[1725,1729],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1726,"children":1727},{},[1728],{"type":38,"value":288},{"type":38,"value":1730}," — the routines that keep you sharp during a real game.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1732,"children":1733},{},[1734,1738],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1735,"children":1736},{},[1737],{"type":38,"value":298},{"type":38,"value":1739}," — the mindset that keeps you steady against any opponent.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1741,"children":1742},{},[1743,1745,1749,1750,1754],{"type":38,"value":1744},"If you have not yet read the prior posts in this series, start with ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":1746,"children":1747},{"href":5},[1748],{"type":38,"value":9},{"type":38,"value":914},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":1751,"children":1752},{"href":320},[1753],{"type":38,"value":323},{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":1756,"children":1757},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":1759,"children":1761},{"id":1760},"focus-area-4-tactics",[1762],{"type":38,"value":1763},"Focus Area 4: Tactics",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1765,"children":1766},{},[1767,1769,1774,1776,1781],{"type":38,"value":1768},"A ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1770,"children":1771},{},[1772],{"type":38,"value":1773},"tactic",{"type":38,"value":1775}," in chess is a short, forcing sequence of moves that wins material, delivers checkmate, or significantly improves a position. Common tactical themes include ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1777,"children":1778},{},[1779],{"type":38,"value":1780},"pins, forks, skewers, double checks, discovered attacks, and back-rank mates",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":1783,"children":1785},{"id":1784},"the-common-gap-missing-tactical-opportunities-and-threats",[1786],{"type":38,"value":1787},"The common gap: missing tactical opportunities (and threats)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1789,"children":1790},{},[1791,1793,1798],{"type":38,"value":1792},"Most intermediate players miss two or three tactics in every single game. They miss chances to win material. They miss checkmates that were one move away. And they miss tactics their opponents are about to play ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":1794,"children":1795},{},[1796],{"type":38,"value":1797},"against",{"type":38,"value":1799}," them.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1801,"children":1802},{},[1803],{"type":38,"value":1804},"The result: an otherwise reasonable game gets decided by a tactic that should have been seen.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":1806,"children":1808},{"id":1807},"the-goal-tactical-vision-becomes-second-nature",[1809],{"type":38,"value":1810},"The goal: tactical vision becomes second nature",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1812,"children":1813},{},[1814],{"type":38,"value":1815},"A player with strong tactical vision sees tactical opportunities almost automatically. They notice that a Knight is undefended. They notice that two of the opponent's pieces are on the same diagonal. They notice that the King is missing one of its escape squares.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1817,"children":1818},{},[1819,1821,1826],{"type":38,"value":1820},"This is not magic. It is ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1822,"children":1823},{},[1824],{"type":38,"value":1825},"pattern recognition",{"type":38,"value":1827},", and pattern recognition is built by repetition.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":1829,"children":1831},{"id":1830},"how-to-actually-train-tactics",[1832],{"type":38,"value":1833},"How to actually train tactics",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1835,"children":1836},{},[1837],{"type":38,"value":1838},"The most efficient way to build tactical vision is daily puzzle practice. Here is the method:",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":1840,"children":1841},{},[1842,1852,1862],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1843,"children":1844},{},[1845,1850],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1846,"children":1847},{},[1848],{"type":38,"value":1849},"Practice tactics by type.",{"type":38,"value":1851}," Spend a week working only on pins. Then a week on forks. Then skewers, then back-rank mates, and so on. Working on one theme at a time embeds the pattern deeply.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1853,"children":1854},{},[1855,1860],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1856,"children":1857},{},[1858],{"type":38,"value":1859},"Practice tactics by rating category.",{"type":38,"value":1861}," Start with puzzles below your current rating to build confidence and recognize basic patterns. Then move up: 1000-rated puzzles, then 1400, then 1800, then beyond.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1863,"children":1864},{},[1865,1870],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1866,"children":1867},{},[1868],{"type":38,"value":1869},"Use a dynamic tool.",{"type":38,"value":1871}," Sites like LiChess and Chess.com offer free puzzle tools that adjust difficulty as you go — solving correct puzzles makes the next one harder, and missing one makes the next one easier. This adaptive flow keeps you in the productive zone.",{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":1873,"children":1874},{},[1875],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1876,"children":1877},{},[1878,1883,1885,1890],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1879,"children":1880},{},[1881],{"type":38,"value":1882},"Bonus tip:",{"type":38,"value":1884}," For best results, practice tactics ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1886,"children":1887},{},[1888],{"type":38,"value":1889},"15 minutes a day, at least 4 days a week",{"type":38,"value":1891},". This is more effective than long, infrequent sessions. Daily exposure is what builds pattern recognition.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1893,"children":1894},{},[1895,1897,1902],{"type":38,"value":1896},"A special note: in my experience, ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1898,"children":1899},{},[1900],{"type":38,"value":1901},"tactics is the single Focus Area that most reliably produces fast rating gains",{"type":38,"value":1903}," in students under 1800. If your child has not been working on tactics consistently, this is almost always the place to start.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":1905,"children":1906},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":1908,"children":1910},{"id":1909},"focus-area-5-visualization-and-calculation",[1911],{"type":38,"value":1912},"Focus Area 5: Visualization and Calculation",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1914,"children":1915},{},[1916],{"type":38,"value":1917},"These are two related but distinct skills that I treat as one Focus Area:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":1919,"children":1920},{},[1921,1938],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1922,"children":1923},{},[1924,1929,1931,1936],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1925,"children":1926},{},[1927],{"type":38,"value":1928},"Visualization",{"type":38,"value":1930}," is the ability to ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":1932,"children":1933},{},[1934],{"type":38,"value":1935},"see",{"type":38,"value":1937}," future moves and positions in your mind without moving the pieces.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":1939,"children":1940},{},[1941,1946,1947,1952],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1942,"children":1943},{},[1944],{"type":38,"value":1945},"Calculation",{"type":38,"value":1930},{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":1948,"children":1949},{},[1950],{"type":38,"value":1951},"evaluate",{"type":38,"value":1953}," those future positions and choose the best move.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1955,"children":1956},{},[1957],{"type":38,"value":1958},"Visualization is the camera. Calculation is the editor. You need both.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":1960,"children":1962},{"id":1961},"the-common-gap-blunders-from-shallow-analysis",[1963],{"type":38,"value":1964},"The common gap: blunders from shallow analysis",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1966,"children":1967},{},[1968],{"type":38,"value":1969},"When players plan only one or two moves ahead, they make large strategic and tactical mistakes. They miss the opponent's response. They miss what happens after a trade. They walk into traps that would have been obvious if they had visualized the position three moves out.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1971,"children":1972},{},[1973],{"type":38,"value":1974},"Strong players see further and more clearly. That is what makes their moves look \"deep\" — but it is a trainable skill, not a mysterious gift.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":1976,"children":1978},{"id":1977},"how-to-train-visualization",[1979],{"type":38,"value":1980},"How to train visualization",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1982,"children":1983},{},[1984],{"type":38,"value":1985},"Here are the four steps I have used for years to teach visualization:",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1987,"children":1988},{},[1989],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1990,"children":1991},{},[1992],{"type":38,"value":1993},"Step 1: Single piece visualization",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1995,"children":1996},{},[1997,1999,2004,2006,2011],{"type":38,"value":1998},"Sit in front of an ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2000,"children":2001},{},[2002],{"type":38,"value":2003},"empty",{"type":38,"value":2005}," chess board. Close your eyes and pick a square in your mind — say, e4. Now imagine placing a single piece there — say, a Bishop. Visualize ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":2007,"children":2008},{},[2009],{"type":38,"value":2010},"every square that Bishop is controlling",{"type":38,"value":2012},". Count them.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2014,"children":2015},{},[2016],{"type":38,"value":2017},"Open your eyes and check. Repeat with each piece: Knight, Rook, Queen, King, Pawn.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2019,"children":2020},{},[2021],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2022,"children":2023},{},[2024],{"type":38,"value":2025},"Step 2: Two pieces, two squares",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2027,"children":2028},{},[2029,2031,2036,2038,2043],{"type":38,"value":2030},"Same exercise, but now picture ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2032,"children":2033},{},[2034],{"type":38,"value":2035},"two squares",{"type":38,"value":2037}," with one piece on each (in opposite colors). Visualize all the squares each piece controls ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2039,"children":2040},{},[2041],{"type":38,"value":2042},"plus",{"type":38,"value":2044}," any squares they share control of.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2046,"children":2047},{},[2048],{"type":38,"value":2049},"This trains the harder skill of tracking multiple pieces' influence simultaneously.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2051,"children":2052},{},[2053],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2054,"children":2055},{},[2056],{"type":38,"value":2057},"Step 3: Verbal moves with a partner",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2059,"children":2060},{},[2061,2063,2068,2070,2075],{"type":38,"value":2062},"Play a chess game where each side ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2064,"children":2065},{},[2066],{"type":38,"value":2067},"says their move out loud",{"type":38,"value":2069}," but does not move the piece on the board. After three moves for each side, ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":2071,"children":2072},{},[2073],{"type":38,"value":2074},"then",{"type":38,"value":2076}," set up the position physically and continue from there.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2078,"children":2079},{},[2080],{"type":38,"value":2081},"This forces your brain to track positions internally — exactly what real chess calculation requires.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2083,"children":2084},{},[2085],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2086,"children":2087},{},[2088],{"type":38,"value":2089},"Step 4: Increase the depth",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2091,"children":2092},{},[2093],{"type":38,"value":2094},"Repeat Step 3 with four moves per side, then five, then six, then seven. Your visualization will get deeper and clearer with each round of practice.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":2096,"children":2098},{"id":2097},"how-to-train-calculation",[2099],{"type":38,"value":2100},"How to train calculation",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2102,"children":2103},{},[2104,2106,2111],{"type":38,"value":2105},"Calculation is about ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2107,"children":2108},{},[2109],{"type":38,"value":2110},"evaluating the positions you visualize",{"type":38,"value":2112},". Here is a powerful exercise:",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":2114,"children":2115},{},[2116,2121,2133,2145,2157,2162,2167],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2117,"children":2118},{},[2119],{"type":38,"value":2120},"Take a position from one of your real games. Have a blank piece of paper or notepad ready.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2122,"children":2123},{},[2124,2126,2131],{"type":38,"value":2125},"At the top of the paper, write down ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2127,"children":2128},{},[2129],{"type":38,"value":2130},"3 to 5 candidate moves",{"type":38,"value":2132}," — reasonable choices to consider.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2134,"children":2135},{},[2136,2138,2143],{"type":38,"value":2137},"Pick the first candidate. Without moving any pieces, imagine playing it. Write down the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2139,"children":2140},{},[2141],{"type":38,"value":2142},"2 or 3 likely responses",{"type":38,"value":2144}," your opponent might play.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2146,"children":2147},{},[2148,2150,2155],{"type":38,"value":2149},"Take the first response and write down ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2151,"children":2152},{},[2153],{"type":38,"value":2154},"2 to 3 candidate moves",{"type":38,"value":2156}," you could play next.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2158,"children":2159},{},[2160],{"type":38,"value":2161},"Continue until either: the position is clearly winning or losing for you (note this on the paper), or you have gone 3 to 5 moves deep.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2163,"children":2164},{},[2165],{"type":38,"value":2166},"Repeat for each of the original candidate moves.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2168,"children":2169},{},[2170,2172],{"type":38,"value":2171},"Compare the resulting positions. ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2173,"children":2174},{},[2175],{"type":38,"value":2176},"Circle the move you would actually play.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2178,"children":2179},{},[2180,2182,2187],{"type":38,"value":2181},"This builds what I call a ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2183,"children":2184},{},[2185],{"type":38,"value":2186},"tree of analysis",{"type":38,"value":2188}," — and it is exactly the mental structure strong players use during real games. Practicing it on paper trains your brain to do it instantly during play.",{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":2190,"children":2191},{},[2192],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2193,"children":2194},{},[2195,2200,2202,2207],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2196,"children":2197},{},[2198],{"type":38,"value":2199},"Bonus exercise:",{"type":38,"value":2201}," Do this with a partner using the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2203,"children":2204},{},[2205],{"type":38,"value":2206},"same",{"type":38,"value":2208}," position. After you both finish your trees, compare and discuss. You will be amazed what you missed and what they missed.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":2210,"children":2211},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":2213,"children":2215},{"id":2214},"focus-area-6-board-habits",[2216],{"type":38,"value":2217},"Focus Area 6: Board Habits",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2219,"children":2220},{},[2221,2226],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2222,"children":2223},{},[2224],{"type":38,"value":2225},"Board habits",{"type":38,"value":2227}," are the routines you use during a game that prevent blunders and surface opportunities. They are the most underrated Focus Area — and often the cheapest source of rating points.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":2229,"children":2231},{"id":2230},"the-common-gap-losing-focus-and-blundering",[2232],{"type":38,"value":2233},"The common gap: losing focus and blundering",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2235,"children":2236},{},[2237,2239,2244],{"type":38,"value":2238},"Most blunders are not a knowledge problem. They are a ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2240,"children":2241},{},[2242],{"type":38,"value":2243},"focus problem",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2246,"children":2247},{},[2248],{"type":38,"value":2249},"A student plays a great game for 30 moves, gets tired, makes one careless move, and loses everything. Or they play their move quickly without checking what their opponent threatened. Or they daydream during their opponent's turn and miss what is happening on the board.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2251,"children":2252},{},[2253,2255,2260],{"type":38,"value":2254},"These are not chess-knowledge issues. They are ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2256,"children":2257},{},[2258],{"type":38,"value":2259},"habit",{"type":38,"value":2261}," issues. And like any habit, they can be built.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":2263,"children":2265},{"id":2264},"practice-habit-1-counting-checks-and-captures",[2266],{"type":38,"value":2267},"Practice habit 1: counting checks and captures",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2269,"children":2270},{},[2271,2273,2278],{"type":38,"value":2272},"Every time it is your turn, ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2274,"children":2275},{},[2276],{"type":38,"value":2277},"before deciding on a move",{"type":38,"value":2279},", do this:",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":2281,"children":2282},{},[2283,2302,2314,2319,2331],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2284,"children":2285},{},[2286,2288,2293,2295,2300],{"type":38,"value":2287},"Count all the moves that would either ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2289,"children":2290},{},[2291],{"type":38,"value":2292},"check the opponent's King",{"type":38,"value":2294}," or ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2296,"children":2297},{},[2298],{"type":38,"value":2299},"capture a piece",{"type":38,"value":2301},". Just count them. Write the number down if you are practicing this exercise.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2303,"children":2304},{},[2305,2307,2312],{"type":38,"value":2306},"Look at each check or capture and ask: ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":2308,"children":2309},{},[2310],{"type":38,"value":2311},"\"Is any of these a strong move?\"",{"type":38,"value":2313}," Often, you will find one you would have missed otherwise.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2315,"children":2316},{},[2317],{"type":38,"value":2318},"Decide on the move you actually want to play (it might be a check, capture, or something else entirely).",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2320,"children":2321},{},[2322,2324,2329],{"type":38,"value":2323},"Now imagine you have played that move. ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2325,"children":2326},{},[2327],{"type":38,"value":2328},"Count all your opponent's possible checks and captures in the new position.",{"type":38,"value":2330}," Are any of them dangerous to you?",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2332,"children":2333},{},[2334],{"type":38,"value":2335},"If none, play your move with confidence. If one is dangerous, reconsider.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2337,"children":2338},{},[2339],{"type":38,"value":2340},"This habit alone has saved my students hundreds of blundered games. The discipline of \"always check the checks and captures\" prevents the tactical disasters that decide so many games at every level.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":2342,"children":2344},{"id":2343},"practice-habit-2-using-the-opponents-time",[2345],{"type":38,"value":2346},"Practice habit 2: using the opponent's time",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2348,"children":2349},{},[2350,2352,2357],{"type":38,"value":2351},"When it is your opponent's turn, ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2353,"children":2354},{},[2355],{"type":38,"value":2356},"do not space out",{"type":38,"value":2358},". Use that time. Specifically:",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":2360,"children":2361},{},[2362,2381,2386],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2363,"children":2364},{},[2365,2367,2372,2374,2379],{"type":38,"value":2366},"Quickly run through the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2368,"children":2369},{},[2370],{"type":38,"value":2371},"8 imbalances",{"type":38,"value":2373}," (see ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":2375,"children":2376},{"href":320},[2377],{"type":38,"value":2378},"The Three Phases of Chess",{"type":38,"value":2380}," for the full list).",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2382,"children":2383},{},[2384],{"type":38,"value":2385},"Consider plans for both sides — yours and your opponent's.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2387,"children":2388},{},[2389],{"type":38,"value":2390},"Anticipate likely responses to your candidate moves.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2392,"children":2393},{},[2394],{"type":38,"value":2395},"This habit doubles your effective thinking time and helps you stay engaged across an entire game.",{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":2397,"children":2398},{},[2399],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2400,"children":2401},{},[2402,2407],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2403,"children":2404},{},[2405],{"type":38,"value":2406},"Practice exercise:",{"type":38,"value":2408}," During a slow practice game, give yourself a tally mark every time you used the opponent's time productively. At the end, calculate the percentage. Score yourself on a scale of 0 to 10. Then practice again. Improvement is usually fast and dramatic.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":2410,"children":2411},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":2413,"children":2415},{"id":2414},"focus-area-7-psychology",[2416],{"type":38,"value":2417},"Focus Area 7: Psychology",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2419,"children":2420},{},[2421,2423],{"type":38,"value":2422},"This is the most overlooked Focus Area in chess and, in many ways, the most important. ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2424,"children":2425},{},[2426],{"type":38,"value":2427},"Your daily mindset and emotional control determine how well you play under any kind of pressure.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":2429,"children":2431},{"id":2430},"the-common-gap-being-intimidated-by-stronger-players-overconfident-against-weaker-ones",[2432],{"type":38,"value":2433},"The common gap: being intimidated by stronger players, overconfident against weaker ones",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2435,"children":2436},{},[2437],{"type":38,"value":2438},"The pattern is universal:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":2440,"children":2441},{},[2442,2454],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2443,"children":2444},{},[2445,2447,2452],{"type":38,"value":2446},"Against ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2448,"children":2449},{},[2450],{"type":38,"value":2451},"higher-rated opponents",{"type":38,"value":2453},": panic. Assume defeat. Play tentatively. Lose quickly.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2455,"children":2456},{},[2457,2458,2463],{"type":38,"value":2446},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2459,"children":2460},{},[2461],{"type":38,"value":2462},"lower-rated opponents",{"type":38,"value":2464},": overconfidence. Lazy thinking. Underestimate. Often lose to a player they \"should\" beat.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2466,"children":2467},{},[2468],{"type":38,"value":2469},"In both cases, the result has nothing to do with chess knowledge. It is emotion getting in the way of clear thinking.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":2471,"children":2473},{"id":2472},"the-goal-strong-nerves-regardless-of-opponent",[2474],{"type":38,"value":2475},"The goal: strong nerves, regardless of opponent",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2477,"children":2478},{},[2479,2481,2486],{"type":38,"value":2480},"The goal is to develop what I call ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2482,"children":2483},{},[2484],{"type":38,"value":2485},"\"strong nerves\"",{"type":38,"value":2487}," — the ability to play your best moves regardless of who is across the board, what their rating is, or what just happened in the position.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2489,"children":2490},{},[2491],{"type":38,"value":2492},"This is not natural. It is practiced.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":2494,"children":2496},{"id":2495},"three-psychological-scenarios-and-how-to-handle-each-one",[2497],{"type":38,"value":2498},"Three psychological scenarios — and how to handle each one",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2500,"children":2501},{},[2502],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2503,"children":2504},{},[2505],{"type":38,"value":2506},"Scenario 1: Playing a lower-rated opponent",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2508,"children":2509},{},[2510,2512,2517,2519,2524],{"type":38,"value":2511},"You should expect to win more often than not. ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2513,"children":2514},{},[2515],{"type":38,"value":2516},"However",{"type":38,"value":2518},", if you are careless, you can absolutely lose. The mindset shift: ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":2520,"children":2521},{},[2522],{"type":38,"value":2523},"do not think about winning. Think about finding the best move.",{"type":38,"value":2525}," Focus on the position, not the rating gap. Most upsets happen because the higher-rated player relaxed and the lower-rated player did not.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2527,"children":2528},{},[2529],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2530,"children":2531},{},[2532],{"type":38,"value":2533},"Scenario 2: Playing a higher-rated opponent",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2535,"children":2536},{},[2537,2539,2544,2546,2551],{"type":38,"value":2538},"You should expect to lose more often than not — ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":2540,"children":2541},{},[2542],{"type":38,"value":2543},"if",{"type":38,"value":2545}," you walk in already defeated mentally. But if you focus on doing your absolute best to find great moves, you will sometimes win, especially if your opponent is overconfident. Do not waste a single second thinking about losing. Focus on ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2547,"children":2548},{},[2549],{"type":38,"value":2550},"finding the best moves",{"type":38,"value":2552},". And even if you do your best and still lose, you can learn from the game and improve for next time.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2554,"children":2555},{},[2556],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2557,"children":2558},{},[2559],{"type":38,"value":2560},"Scenario 3: Your opponent makes a move you had never considered",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2562,"children":2563},{},[2564],{"type":38,"value":2565},"This is the moment many players lose composure. The position has suddenly shifted, possibly to a worse one. Panic sets in. Your brain switches to fight-or-flight mode and rational thinking shuts down.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2567,"children":2568},{},[2569],{"type":38,"value":2570},"Here is what to do:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":2572,"children":2573},{},[2574,2584,2592,2600,2612],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2575,"children":2576},{},[2577,2582],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2578,"children":2579},{},[2580],{"type":38,"value":2581},"Stand up.",{"type":38,"value":2583}," Walk a few steps away from the board.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2585,"children":2586},{},[2587],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2588,"children":2589},{},[2590],{"type":38,"value":2591},"Take three deep breaths.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2593,"children":2594},{},[2595],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2596,"children":2597},{},[2598],{"type":38,"value":2599},"Come back and look at the position as if you are seeing it for the first time.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2601,"children":2602},{},[2603,2605,2610],{"type":38,"value":2604},"Strive to be ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2606,"children":2607},{},[2608],{"type":38,"value":2609},"objective",{"type":38,"value":2611},". What is good in the position? What is bad? What plans are still possible?",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2613,"children":2614},{},[2615,2620],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2616,"children":2617},{},[2618],{"type":38,"value":2619},"Make a new plan.",{"type":38,"value":2621}," Leave behind whatever you were planning before.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2623,"children":2624},{},[2625],{"type":38,"value":2626},"This simple physical reset is one of the most effective techniques I know for managing chess emotions. The position has not changed in the 60 seconds you took to walk away. Only your mindset has — and now you can think clearly again.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":2628,"children":2630},{"id":2629},"a-bonus-mental-tool-treat-the-position-as-a-puzzle",[2631],{"type":38,"value":2632},"A bonus mental tool: treat the position as a puzzle",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2634,"children":2635},{},[2636,2638,2643],{"type":38,"value":2637},"Whenever you feel pressure mounting, mentally reframe the position as ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2639,"children":2640},{},[2641],{"type":38,"value":2642},"a chess puzzle",{"type":38,"value":2644},". You are simply trying to understand the position, find the best move, and enjoy figuring it out. Take your time. Consider the imbalances. Make a calm, careful move.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2646,"children":2647},{},[2648],{"type":38,"value":2649},"This reframe transforms the emotional experience of chess. Pressure is replaced by curiosity. And paradoxically, you play far better when you are not trying so hard to win.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":2651,"children":2652},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":2654,"children":2656},{"id":2655},"how-to-actually-train-psychology",[2657],{"type":38,"value":2658},"How to actually train psychology",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2660,"children":2661},{},[2662],{"type":38,"value":2663},"Unlike tactics or endgames, psychology is hard to train in isolation. The best approach:",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":2665,"children":2666},{},[2667,2675,2685],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2668,"children":2669},{},[2670],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2671,"children":2672},{},[2673],{"type":38,"value":2674},"Review the three scenarios above before every important game.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2676,"children":2677},{},[2678,2683],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2679,"children":2680},{},[2681],{"type":38,"value":2682},"Reflect after every game.",{"type":38,"value":2684}," Where did you feel emotions arising? How well did you handle them? Score yourself on a scale of 0 to 10.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2686,"children":2687},{},[2688,2693],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2689,"children":2690},{},[2691],{"type":38,"value":2692},"Repeat.",{"type":38,"value":2694}," Mental skills, like physical skills, improve through deliberate practice.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2696,"children":2697},{},[2698,2700,2705],{"type":38,"value":2699},"This Focus Area requires significant ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2701,"children":2702},{},[2703],{"type":38,"value":2704},"self-awareness and intentional focus",{"type":38,"value":2706}," on improving your internal self-talk. The growth is slower than tactics or endgames, but the payoff is enormous — especially in tournaments.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":2708,"children":2709},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":2711,"children":2713},{"id":2712},"putting-it-all-together-the-well-balanced-chess-game",[2714],{"type":38,"value":2715},"Putting it all together: the well-balanced chess game",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2717,"children":2718},{},[2719,2721,2726],{"type":38,"value":2720},"A player who has trained all 7 Focus Areas — Opening, Middlegame, Endgame, Tactics, Visualization & Calculation, Board Habits, and Psychology — has built the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2722,"children":2723},{},[2724],{"type":38,"value":2725},"well-balanced foundation",{"type":38,"value":2727}," that defines strong chess players.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2729,"children":2730},{},[2731],{"type":38,"value":2732},"Most plateaued players are missing one or two Focus Areas. Identify them. Focus there for 90 days. Trust the process.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2734,"children":2735},{},[2736],{"type":38,"value":2737},"The rating points will follow.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":2739,"children":2740},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":2742,"children":2743},{"id":716},[2744],{"type":38,"value":719},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2746,"children":2747},{},[2748,2750,2755,2757,2762,2764,2769],{"type":38,"value":2749},"If you have read all three posts in this series — ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":2751,"children":2752},{"href":5},[2753],{"type":38,"value":2754},"the framework",{"type":38,"value":2756},", ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":2758,"children":2759},{"href":320},[2760],{"type":38,"value":2761},"the three phases",{"type":38,"value":2763},", and this one on the mental game — you have a complete picture of what it takes to break a chess plateau. The next step is ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2765,"children":2766},{},[2767],{"type":38,"value":2768},"deliberate practice",{"type":38,"value":2770}," on whichever Focus Area is weakest for you.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2772,"children":2773},{},[2774,2776,2781],{"type":38,"value":2775},"If you have a young player who would benefit from coaching that ties all of this together, ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":2777,"children":2779},{"href":785,"rel":2778},[496],[2780],{"type":38,"value":772},{"type":38,"value":2782}," are built around exactly this framework. Our coaches assess each student's Focus Areas, design targeted lessons, and track progress over time.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2784,"children":2785},{},[2786],{"type":38,"value":2787},"The same method that took me from a zero rating to National Master in six years is what we teach in our classes today.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":2789,"children":2790},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2792,"children":2793},{},[2794],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":2795,"children":2796},{},[2797,2798,2803,2804,2809],{"type":38,"value":801},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":2799,"children":2801},{"href":804,"rel":2800},[496],[2802],{"type":38,"value":808},{"type":38,"value":810},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":2805,"children":2807},{"href":813,"rel":2806},[496],[2808],{"type":38,"value":817},{"type":38,"value":819},{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":2811},[2812,2817,2822,2827,2833,2834,2835],{"id":1760,"depth":821,"text":1763,"children":2813},[2814,2815,2816],{"id":1784,"depth":829,"text":1787},{"id":1807,"depth":829,"text":1810},{"id":1830,"depth":829,"text":1833},{"id":1909,"depth":821,"text":1912,"children":2818},[2819,2820,2821],{"id":1961,"depth":829,"text":1964},{"id":1977,"depth":829,"text":1980},{"id":2097,"depth":829,"text":2100},{"id":2214,"depth":821,"text":2217,"children":2823},[2824,2825,2826],{"id":2230,"depth":829,"text":2233},{"id":2264,"depth":829,"text":2267},{"id":2343,"depth":829,"text":2346},{"id":2414,"depth":821,"text":2417,"children":2828},[2829,2830,2831,2832],{"id":2430,"depth":829,"text":2433},{"id":2472,"depth":829,"text":2475},{"id":2495,"depth":829,"text":2498},{"id":2629,"depth":829,"text":2632},{"id":2655,"depth":821,"text":2658},{"id":2712,"depth":821,"text":2715},{"id":716,"depth":821,"text":719},"content:blog:chess-mental-game-tactics-visualization-psychology.md","blog/chess-mental-game-tactics-visualization-psychology.md",{"_path":693,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":2839,"description":2840,"thumbnail":2841,"header":2842,"tags":2843,"author":19,"authorUrl":20,"authorImage":21,"authorBio":22,"post_date":23,"summary":2847,"seo":2848,"body":2851,"_type":845,"_id":3569,"_source":847,"_file":3570,"_extension":849},"Castling, En Passant, and Pawn Promotion: Special Chess Rules Explained","By the time most beginners have learned how all six pieces move, they think they know all the rules of chess. Then their opponent makes a strange-looking move that does not seem to follow any of the rules — and the confusion begins.","/uploads/jill-teaching-chess-1192x628.jpeg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},[858,2844,2845,2846,859,19],"Castling","En Passant","Pawn Promotion","Three special rules in chess catch almost every beginner off guard: castling (a King-and-Rook move that protects the King), en passant (a rare diagonal Pawn capture), and pawn promotion (turning a Pawn into a Queen). Learn how each one works and when to use it.",{"title_tag":2849,"description_tag":2850,"estimated_reading_time":864},"Castling, En Passant, and Pawn Promotion: Special Chess Rules | Chess4Life","Learn the three special rules of chess every player needs to know: castling (Kingside and Queenside), en passant Pawn captures, and Pawn promotion. Clear examples and rules.",{"type":30,"children":2852,"toc":3555},[2853,2857,2869,2901,2906,2917,2920,2926,2949,2954,2964,2987,2993,3005,3058,3068,3088,3091,3097,3113,3118,3143,3162,3168,3180,3219,3224,3237,3240,3246,3255,3274,3299,3304,3341,3353,3359,3364,3410,3423,3426,3432,3437,3468,3473,3476,3480,3492,3502,3505,3511,3523,3533,3536],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2854,"children":2855},{},[2856],{"type":38,"value":2840},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2858,"children":2859},{},[2860,2862,2867],{"type":38,"value":2861},"There are ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2863,"children":2864},{},[2865],{"type":38,"value":2866},"three special rules",{"type":38,"value":2868}," in chess that every beginner needs to learn:",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":2870,"children":2871},{},[2872,2881,2891],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2873,"children":2874},{},[2875,2879],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2876,"children":2877},{},[2878],{"type":38,"value":2844},{"type":38,"value":2880}," — a unique move that swaps the King and a Rook to keep the King safe.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2882,"children":2883},{},[2884,2889],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2885,"children":2886},{},[2887],{"type":38,"value":2888},"En passant",{"type":38,"value":2890}," — a rare Pawn capture that happens diagonally.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2892,"children":2893},{},[2894,2899],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2895,"children":2896},{},[2897],{"type":38,"value":2898},"Pawn promotion",{"type":38,"value":2900}," — turning a Pawn into a Queen (or another piece) when it reaches the other side of the board.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2902,"children":2903},{},[2904],{"type":38,"value":2905},"Once these three rules click, there are no more \"wait, that is allowed?\" moments left in a chess game.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2907,"children":2908},{},[2909,2911,2915],{"type":38,"value":2910},"If you are still learning how the basic pieces move, start with ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":2912,"children":2913},{"href":684},[2914],{"type":38,"value":687},{"type":38,"value":2916}," first.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":2918,"children":2919},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":2921,"children":2923},{"id":2922},"castling-how-to-keep-your-king-safe",[2924],{"type":38,"value":2925},"Castling: how to keep your King safe",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2927,"children":2928},{},[2929,2933,2935,2940,2942,2947],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2930,"children":2931},{},[2932],{"type":38,"value":2844},{"type":38,"value":2934}," is a special move involving the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2936,"children":2937},{},[2938],{"type":38,"value":2939},"King and one Rook",{"type":38,"value":2941},". In a single turn, the King moves two squares toward the Rook, and that Rook jumps over the King and lands on the square next to it. This is the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2943,"children":2944},{},[2945],{"type":38,"value":2946},"only time in the entire game",{"type":38,"value":2948}," that a player can move two pieces in one turn, and the only time a Rook can \"jump.\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2950,"children":2951},{},[2952],{"type":38,"value":2953},"Castling exists because the King is too valuable to leave exposed in the middle of the board. By castling, you tuck your King into a protected corner, away from the action that usually takes place in the center.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2955,"children":2956},{},[2957,2958,2963],{"type":38,"value":2861},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2959,"children":2960},{},[2961],{"type":38,"value":2962},"two types of castling",{"type":38,"value":225},{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":2965,"children":2966},{},[2967,2977],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2968,"children":2969},{},[2970,2975],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2971,"children":2972},{},[2973],{"type":38,"value":2974},"Kingside castling (short castling):",{"type":38,"value":2976}," Castling with the Rook on the King's side of the board (h1 for white, h8 for black). This is the more common form because it requires fewer pieces to be moved out of the way first.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":2978,"children":2979},{},[2980,2985],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2981,"children":2982},{},[2983],{"type":38,"value":2984},"Queenside castling (long castling):",{"type":38,"value":2986}," Castling with the Rook on the Queen's side (a1 or a8). The King still moves two squares, but the Rook travels farther.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":2988,"children":2990},{"id":2989},"the-five-rules-of-castling",[2991],{"type":38,"value":2992},"The five rules of castling",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":2994,"children":2995},{},[2996,2998,3003],{"type":38,"value":2997},"Castling is only legal if ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":2999,"children":3000},{},[3001],{"type":38,"value":3002},"all five",{"type":38,"value":3004}," of the following conditions are met:",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":3006,"children":3007},{},[3008,3018,3028,3038,3048],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3009,"children":3010},{},[3011,3016],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3012,"children":3013},{},[3014],{"type":38,"value":3015},"Neither the King nor the Rook involved have moved",{"type":38,"value":3017}," earlier in the game. If you move your King and then move it back, you have lost the right to castle on either side. If you move one Rook, you lose the right to castle with that specific Rook.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3019,"children":3020},{},[3021,3026],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3022,"children":3023},{},[3024],{"type":38,"value":3025},"There are no pieces between the King and the Rook.",{"type":38,"value":3027}," All squares between them must be empty.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3029,"children":3030},{},[3031,3036],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3032,"children":3033},{},[3034],{"type":38,"value":3035},"The King is not currently in check.",{"type":38,"value":3037}," You cannot castle out of check.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3039,"children":3040},{},[3041,3046],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3042,"children":3043},{},[3044],{"type":38,"value":3045},"The King does not pass through a square that is attacked.",{"type":38,"value":3047}," If any square the King moves through is under attack, castling is illegal — even if the destination square would be safe.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3049,"children":3050},{},[3051,3056],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3052,"children":3053},{},[3054],{"type":38,"value":3055},"The King does not land on an attacked square.",{"type":38,"value":3057}," You cannot castle into check.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":3059,"children":3060},{},[3061,3063],{"type":38,"value":3062},"A simple way to remember it: ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3064,"children":3065},{},[3066],{"type":38,"value":3067},"the King may not start, pass through, or end its journey in danger.",{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":3069,"children":3070},{},[3071],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":3072,"children":3073},{},[3074,3079,3081,3086],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3075,"children":3076},{},[3077],{"type":38,"value":3078},"When to castle:",{"type":38,"value":3080}," Most strong players castle within the first 10 moves of the game. The general principle is ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":3082,"children":3083},{},[3084],{"type":38,"value":3085},"\"castle early, castle often\"",{"type":38,"value":3087}," — get your King to safety before the position becomes complicated.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":3089,"children":3090},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":3092,"children":3094},{"id":3093},"en-passant-the-rare-pawn-capture",[3095],{"type":38,"value":3096},"En Passant: the rare Pawn capture",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":3098,"children":3099},{},[3100,3104,3106,3111],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3101,"children":3102},{},[3103],{"type":38,"value":2888},{"type":38,"value":3105}," is French for ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":3107,"children":3108},{},[3109],{"type":38,"value":3110},"\"in passing,\"",{"type":38,"value":3112}," and it is the most unusual capture rule in chess. It applies to Pawns only.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":3114,"children":3115},{},[3116],{"type":38,"value":3117},"Here is the situation it covers:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":3119,"children":3120},{},[3121,3126,3138],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3122,"children":3123},{},[3124],{"type":38,"value":3125},"Imagine your opponent's Pawn moves two squares forward on its first move.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3127,"children":3128},{},[3129,3131,3136],{"type":38,"value":3130},"It lands directly ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3132,"children":3133},{},[3134],{"type":38,"value":3135},"next to",{"type":38,"value":3137}," one of your Pawns (on the same rank).",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3139,"children":3140},{},[3141],{"type":38,"value":3142},"Normally, your Pawn could not capture it, because Pawns capture only diagonally — and the opponent's Pawn is now beside yours, not diagonal.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":3144,"children":3145},{},[3146,3148,3153,3155,3160],{"type":38,"value":3147},"The en passant rule says: ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3149,"children":3150},{},[3151],{"type":38,"value":3152},"you can capture as if the opponent's Pawn had only moved one square forward.",{"type":38,"value":3154}," Your Pawn moves diagonally to the square ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":3156,"children":3157},{},[3158],{"type":38,"value":3159},"behind",{"type":38,"value":3161}," the opponent's Pawn, and the opponent's Pawn is removed from the board.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":3163,"children":3165},{"id":3164},"the-conditions-for-en-passant",[3166],{"type":38,"value":3167},"The conditions for en passant",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":3169,"children":3170},{},[3171,3173,3178],{"type":38,"value":3172},"En passant is ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3174,"children":3175},{},[3176],{"type":38,"value":3177},"only legal under three conditions",{"type":38,"value":3179},", all of which must be true:",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":3181,"children":3182},{},[3183,3195,3207],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3184,"children":3185},{},[3186,3188,3193],{"type":38,"value":3187},"The opponent's Pawn just moved ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3189,"children":3190},{},[3191],{"type":38,"value":3192},"two squares forward",{"type":38,"value":3194}," on its first move.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3196,"children":3197},{},[3198,3200,3205],{"type":38,"value":3199},"The opponent's Pawn landed on a square ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3201,"children":3202},{},[3203],{"type":38,"value":3204},"directly next to",{"type":38,"value":3206}," your Pawn (same rank, adjacent file).",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3208,"children":3209},{},[3210,3212,3217],{"type":38,"value":3211},"You capture ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3213,"children":3214},{},[3215],{"type":38,"value":3216},"immediately on your very next move",{"type":38,"value":3218},". If you wait even one move, the opportunity is gone forever.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":3220,"children":3221},{},[3222],{"type":38,"value":3223},"This rule was introduced centuries ago to prevent Pawns from \"sneaking past\" enemy Pawns by using the two-square first move. Without en passant, a Pawn that moved two squares could escape capture in a way that felt unfair.",{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":3225,"children":3226},{},[3227],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":3228,"children":3229},{},[3230,3235],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3231,"children":3232},{},[3233],{"type":38,"value":3234},"A common myth:",{"type":38,"value":3236}," Many casual players think en passant is \"optional in tournament play.\" It is not. En passant is a fully official rule recognized by FIDE and the USCF, and you should expect it to be used in any serious game.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":3238,"children":3239},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":3241,"children":3243},{"id":3242},"pawn-promotion-turning-a-pawn-into-a-queen",[3244],{"type":38,"value":3245},"Pawn Promotion: turning a Pawn into a Queen",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":3247,"children":3248},{},[3249,3253],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3250,"children":3251},{},[3252],{"type":38,"value":2898},{"type":38,"value":3254}," is the rule that gives Pawns their long-term power. It is also the most exciting rule for many young players.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":3256,"children":3257},{},[3258,3260,3265,3267,3272],{"type":38,"value":3259},"When a Pawn reaches ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3261,"children":3262},{},[3263],{"type":38,"value":3264},"the far side of the board",{"type":38,"value":3266},", it must be ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3268,"children":3269},{},[3270],{"type":38,"value":3271},"immediately replaced",{"type":38,"value":3273}," with another piece of the same color.",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":3275,"children":3276},{},[3277,3288],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3278,"children":3279},{},[3280,3282,3287],{"type":38,"value":3281},"White's Pawns promote when they reach the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3283,"children":3284},{},[3285],{"type":38,"value":3286},"8th rank",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3289,"children":3290},{},[3291,3293,3298],{"type":38,"value":3292},"Black's Pawns promote when they reach the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3294,"children":3295},{},[3296],{"type":38,"value":3297},"1st rank",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":3300,"children":3301},{},[3302],{"type":38,"value":3303},"The promoting player chooses what piece the Pawn becomes:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":3305,"children":3306},{},[3307,3317,3325,3333],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3308,"children":3309},{},[3310,3315],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3311,"children":3312},{},[3313],{"type":38,"value":3314},"Queen",{"type":38,"value":3316}," (almost always — the Queen is the most powerful piece)",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3318,"children":3319},{},[3320],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3321,"children":3322},{},[3323],{"type":38,"value":3324},"Rook",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3326,"children":3327},{},[3328],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3329,"children":3330},{},[3331],{"type":38,"value":3332},"Bishop",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3334,"children":3335},{},[3336],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3337,"children":3338},{},[3339],{"type":38,"value":3340},"Knight",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":3342,"children":3343},{},[3344,3346,3351],{"type":38,"value":3345},"You may promote to any of these four pieces ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3347,"children":3348},{},[3349],{"type":38,"value":3350},"even if you already have one on the board",{"type":38,"value":3352},". There is no rule that says you can only have one Queen at a time. A player can theoretically end up with multiple Queens if multiple Pawns reach the other side.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":3354,"children":3356},{"id":3355},"why-would-you-ever-promote-to-something-other-than-a-queen",[3357],{"type":38,"value":3358},"Why would you ever promote to something other than a Queen?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":3360,"children":3361},{},[3362],{"type":38,"value":3363},"The Queen is the most valuable piece, so most promotions are to Queens. But there are situations where promoting to a different piece is actually better:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":3365,"children":3366},{},[3367,3377,3400],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3368,"children":3369},{},[3370,3375],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3371,"children":3372},{},[3373],{"type":38,"value":3374},"Underpromoting to a Knight",{"type":38,"value":3376}," is occasionally the right call when the Knight's L-shape can deliver an immediate checkmate or important fork that a Queen cannot.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3378,"children":3379},{},[3380,3385,3387,3392,3394,3398],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3381,"children":3382},{},[3383],{"type":38,"value":3384},"Underpromoting to a Rook",{"type":38,"value":3386}," is sometimes used to ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":3388,"children":3389},{},[3390],{"type":38,"value":3391},"avoid",{"type":38,"value":3393}," stalemating the opponent. (A new Queen can accidentally cause stalemate in some endgames — see ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":3395,"children":3396},{"href":702},[3397],{"type":38,"value":705},{"type":38,"value":3399},".)",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":3401,"children":3402},{},[3403,3408],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3404,"children":3405},{},[3406],{"type":38,"value":3407},"Underpromoting to a Bishop",{"type":38,"value":3409}," is extremely rare and almost always for similar stalemate-avoidance reasons.",{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":3411,"children":3412},{},[3413],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":3414,"children":3415},{},[3416,3421],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":3417,"children":3418},{},[3419],{"type":38,"value":3420},"Practical tip:",{"type":38,"value":3422}," When you reach a position where you might promote, do not just slap any piece down. Check whether the opponent's King is stalemated by your new Queen. 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The white Rooks begin on ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4115,"children":4116},{},[4117],{"type":38,"value":4118},"a1",{"type":38,"value":914},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4121,"children":4122},{},[4123],{"type":38,"value":4124},"h1",{"type":38,"value":4126},", and the black Rooks begin on ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4128,"children":4129},{},[4130],{"type":38,"value":4131},"a8",{"type":38,"value":914},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4134,"children":4135},{},[4136],{"type":38,"value":4137},"h8",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4140,"children":4141},{},[4142,4144,4149,4151,4155,4157,4161],{"type":38,"value":4143},"The Rook is sometimes called a ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":4145,"children":4146},{},[4147],{"type":38,"value":4148},"castle",{"type":38,"value":4150}," because of its shape, but the official chess term is ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4152,"children":4153},{},[4154],{"type":38,"value":3324},{"type":38,"value":4156},". The Rook also plays a role in the special move called ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4158,"children":4159},{},[4160],{"type":38,"value":3925},{"type":38,"value":4162},", which we cover in a separate post.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":4164,"children":4165},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":4167,"children":4169},{"id":4168},"_4-the-bishop",[4170],{"type":38,"value":4171},"4. 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A Bishop that starts on a dark square will only ever touch dark squares.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4201,"children":4202},{},[4203,4207],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4204,"children":4205},{},[4206],{"type":38,"value":3874},{"type":38,"value":4208}," The Bishop captures any opponent's piece along its diagonal.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4210,"children":4211},{},[4212,4216],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4213,"children":4214},{},[4215],{"type":38,"value":4012},{"type":38,"value":4217}," The Bishop cannot jump over other pieces.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4219,"children":4220},{},[4221,4222,4227,4229,4234,4236,4241,4243,4248,4250,4255],{"type":38,"value":4106},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4223,"children":4224},{},[4225],{"type":38,"value":4226},"two Bishops",{"type":38,"value":4228}," — one light-squared and one dark-squared. The white Bishops begin on ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4230,"children":4231},{},[4232],{"type":38,"value":4233},"c1",{"type":38,"value":4235}," (dark) and ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4237,"children":4238},{},[4239],{"type":38,"value":4240},"f1",{"type":38,"value":4242}," (light), and the black Bishops begin on ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4244,"children":4245},{},[4246],{"type":38,"value":4247},"c8",{"type":38,"value":4249}," (light) and ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4251,"children":4252},{},[4253],{"type":38,"value":4254},"f8",{"type":38,"value":4256}," (dark).",{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":4258,"children":4259},{},[4260],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4261,"children":4262},{},[4263,4268,4270,4275],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4264,"children":4265},{},[4266],{"type":38,"value":4267},"Coaching tip:",{"type":38,"value":4269}," Children sometimes call them ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":4271,"children":4272},{},[4273],{"type":38,"value":4274},"\"diagonal-only\"",{"type":38,"value":4276}," pieces, which is a perfect description. Pair the two Bishops together — they cover both colors of the board and become very powerful.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":4278,"children":4279},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":4281,"children":4283},{"id":4282},"_5-the-knight",[4284],{"type":38,"value":4285},"5. The Knight",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4287,"children":4288},{},[4289,4291,4296],{"type":38,"value":4290},"The Knight is by far the most distinctive piece in chess. It moves in a unique ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4292,"children":4293},{},[4294],{"type":38,"value":4295},"\"L\" shape",{"type":38,"value":4297}," that confuses almost every new player at first.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4299,"children":4300},{},[4301,4305,4307,4311,4313,4318],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4302,"children":4303},{},[4304],{"type":38,"value":3857},{"type":38,"value":4306}," The Knight moves ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4308,"children":4309},{},[4310],{"type":38,"value":2035},{"type":38,"value":4312}," in one direction (up, down, left, or right) and then ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4314,"children":4315},{},[4316],{"type":38,"value":4317},"one square at a right angle",{"type":38,"value":4319},", forming the letter L. It can also be described as a \"two-and-one\" move.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4321,"children":4322},{},[4323],{"type":38,"value":4324},"A few examples to make this concrete:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":4326,"children":4327},{},[4328,4333,4338],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":4329,"children":4330},{},[4331],{"type":38,"value":4332},"Two squares up, then one square left or right.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":4334,"children":4335},{},[4336],{"type":38,"value":4337},"Two squares right, then one square up or down.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":4339,"children":4340},{},[4341],{"type":38,"value":4342},"Two squares down, then one square left or right.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4344,"children":4345},{},[4346,4350],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4347,"children":4348},{},[4349],{"type":38,"value":3874},{"type":38,"value":4351}," The Knight captures by landing on the square of an opponent's piece. Pieces it \"jumps over\" are not affected — only the destination square matters.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4353,"children":4354},{},[4355,4360,4362,4367],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4356,"children":4357},{},[4358],{"type":38,"value":4359},"The Knight's superpower:",{"type":38,"value":4361}," The Knight is the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4363,"children":4364},{},[4365],{"type":38,"value":4366},"only piece in chess that can jump over other pieces",{"type":38,"value":4368},". It can leap right over a wall of Pawns and other pieces to land on its destination square.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4370,"children":4371},{},[4372,4373,4378,4380,4385,4386,4391,4393,4398,4399,4404],{"type":38,"value":4106},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4374,"children":4375},{},[4376],{"type":38,"value":4377},"two Knights",{"type":38,"value":4379},". The white Knights begin on ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4381,"children":4382},{},[4383],{"type":38,"value":4384},"b1",{"type":38,"value":914},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4387,"children":4388},{},[4389],{"type":38,"value":4390},"g1",{"type":38,"value":4392},", and the black Knights begin on ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4394,"children":4395},{},[4396],{"type":38,"value":4397},"b8",{"type":38,"value":914},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4400,"children":4401},{},[4402],{"type":38,"value":4403},"g8",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":4406,"children":4407},{},[4408],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4409,"children":4410},{},[4411,4416],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4412,"children":4413},{},[4414],{"type":38,"value":4415},"A useful pattern:",{"type":38,"value":4417}," Every Knight move changes the color of the square the Knight is on. If a Knight is on a light square, its next move will land on a dark square, and vice versa. This is a great trick for visualizing where a Knight can or cannot reach.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":4419,"children":4420},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":4422,"children":4424},{"id":4423},"_6-the-pawn",[4425],{"type":38,"value":4426},"6. 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A Pawn directly in front of your Pawn cannot be captured. A Pawn diagonally in front of yours can.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4522,"children":4523},{},[4524,4529],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4525,"children":4526},{},[4527],{"type":38,"value":4528},"Each player has 8 Pawns.",{"type":38,"value":4530}," White's Pawns begin on the 2nd rank and black's Pawns begin on the 7th rank.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4532,"children":4533},{},[4534],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4535,"children":4536},{},[4537],{"type":38,"value":4538},"Special pawn rules:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":4540,"children":4541},{},[4542,4552],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":4543,"children":4544},{},[4545,4550],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4546,"children":4547},{},[4548],{"type":38,"value":4549},"Pawn Promotion:",{"type":38,"value":4551}," When a Pawn reaches the far side of the board, it transforms into a Queen, Rook, Bishop, or Knight of the same color.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":4553,"children":4554},{},[4555,4560],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4556,"children":4557},{},[4558],{"type":38,"value":4559},"En Passant:",{"type":38,"value":4561}," A rare but important capture rule that applies only to Pawns.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4563,"children":4564},{},[4565,4567,4572],{"type":38,"value":4566},"Both of these are covered in ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":4568,"children":4569},{"href":693},[4570],{"type":38,"value":4571},"Castling, En Passant, and Pawn Promotion Explained",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":4574,"children":4575},{},[4576],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4577,"children":4578},{},[4579,4584],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4580,"children":4581},{},[4582],{"type":38,"value":4583},"Why Pawns matter more than they look:",{"type":38,"value":4585}," Pawns may only be worth one point each, but every Pawn structure shapes the entire game. Strong players spend just as much time thinking about Pawns as they do about Queens and Rooks.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":4587,"children":4588},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":4590,"children":4592},{"id":4591},"a-practice-activity-capture-all-the-pawns",[4593],{"type":38,"value":4594},"A practice activity: capture all the Pawns",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4596,"children":4597},{},[4598],{"type":38,"value":4599},"Here is a classic Chess4Life beginner exercise that builds piece movement intuition fast:",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":4601,"children":4602},{},[4603,4613,4618],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":4604,"children":4605},{},[4606,4608,4612],{"type":38,"value":4607},"Place a single piece — let's say the Knight — on ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4609,"children":4610},{},[4611],{"type":38,"value":4124},{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":4614,"children":4615},{},[4616],{"type":38,"value":4617},"Place several Pawns scattered across the board (any reasonable setup works).",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":4619,"children":4620},{},[4621],{"type":38,"value":4622},"Try to capture all the Pawns using only the Knight, in as few moves as possible.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4624,"children":4625},{},[4626],{"type":38,"value":4627},"Repeat this with each piece (King, Rook, Bishop, Knight, Queen). Each piece teaches a different lesson about how it moves and where it cannot easily reach. After a week of this, your child will have an instinct for piece movement that no diagram alone can teach.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":4629,"children":4630},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":4632,"children":4633},{"id":1489},[4634],{"type":38,"value":1492},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4636,"children":4637},{},[4638,4640,4645,4647,4651],{"type":38,"value":4639},"Now that you know how every piece moves, you are ready to learn the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4641,"children":4642},{},[4643],{"type":38,"value":4644},"three special chess rules",{"type":38,"value":4646}," every beginner needs: castling, en passant, and pawn promotion. Read the next post in this series: ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":4648,"children":4649},{"href":693},[4650],{"type":38,"value":2839},{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4653,"children":4654},{},[4655,4657,4662],{"type":38,"value":4656},"After that, we will cover ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":4658,"children":4659},{"href":702},[4660],{"type":38,"value":4661},"how a chess game ends",{"type":38,"value":4663}," — checkmate, stalemate, and the various kinds of draws.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":4665,"children":4666},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":4668,"children":4670},{"id":4669},"want-to-take-the-next-step",[4671],{"type":38,"value":4672},"Want to take the next step?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4674,"children":4675},{},[4676,4678,4683],{"type":38,"value":4677},"Once your child knows how the pieces move, the fastest way to grow is regular, guided practice. Chess4Life offers ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4679,"children":4680},{},[4681],{"type":38,"value":4682},"weekly online classes with live coaches",{"type":38,"value":4684},", seasonal camps, and online competitions for every skill level. Our coaches are trained to teach piece movement in a way that sticks — through games, puzzles, and patient repetition.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4686,"children":4687},{},[4688,4693],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":4689,"children":4691},{"href":785,"rel":4690},[496],[4692],{"type":38,"value":789},{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":4695,"children":4696},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4698,"children":4699},{},[4700],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":4701,"children":4702},{},[4703,4704,4709,4710,4715],{"type":38,"value":801},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":4705,"children":4707},{"href":804,"rel":4706},[496],[4708],{"type":38,"value":808},{"type":38,"value":810},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":4711,"children":4713},{"href":813,"rel":4712},[496],[4714],{"type":38,"value":817},{"type":38,"value":819},{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":4717},[4718,4719,4720,4721,4722,4723,4724,4725,4726,4727],{"id":3624,"depth":821,"text":3627},{"id":3846,"depth":821,"text":3849},{"id":3969,"depth":821,"text":3972},{"id":4057,"depth":821,"text":4060},{"id":4168,"depth":821,"text":4171},{"id":4282,"depth":821,"text":4285},{"id":4423,"depth":821,"text":4426},{"id":4591,"depth":821,"text":4594},{"id":1489,"depth":821,"text":1492},{"id":4669,"depth":821,"text":4672},"content:blog:how-each-chess-piece-moves.md","blog/how-each-chess-piece-moves.md",{"_path":666,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":669,"description":4731,"thumbnail":4732,"header":4733,"tags":4734,"author":19,"authorUrl":20,"authorImage":21,"authorBio":22,"post_date":23,"summary":4736,"seo":4737,"body":4741,"_type":845,"_id":5301,"_source":847,"_file":5302,"_extension":849},"Chess can look intimidating from the outside. Sixty-four squares, six different pieces per side, special rules with names like en passant and castling — it is no wonder many parents tell me they would love their child to learn the game but have no idea where to begin themselves.","/uploads/happy-chess-player-1192x628.jpeg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},[931,858,859,4735,19],"Chess for Kids","Learning how to play chess is simpler than most people think. Two players, six pieces per side, one goal: checkmate the opponent's king. This beginner's guide walks you through the rules, the flow of a game, and the mindset that makes chess so rewarding for children and adults alike.",{"title_tag":4738,"description_tag":4739,"estimated_reading_time":4740},"How to Play Chess: A Complete Beginner's Guide | Chess4Life","Learn how to play chess from scratch — the rules, the flow of a game, and the basic etiquette every new player should know. A friendly beginner's guide from National Master Elliott Neff.","6",{"type":30,"children":4742,"toc":5292},[4743,4760,4772,4777,4780,4786,4818,4830,4842,4845,4851,4856,4879,4884,4895,4898,4904,4914,4925,4930,4968,4980,4985,4988,4994,5013,5032,5044,5087,5092,5095,5101,5106,5146,5149,5153,5158,5221,5226,5229,5235,5247,5252,5265,5270,5273],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4744,"children":4745},{},[4746,4748,4753,4754,4758],{"type":38,"value":4747},"Chess can look intimidating from the outside. Sixty-four squares, six different pieces per side, special rules with names like ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":4749,"children":4750},{},[4751],{"type":38,"value":4752},"en passant",{"type":38,"value":914},{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":4755,"children":4756},{},[4757],{"type":38,"value":3925},{"type":38,"value":4759}," — it is no wonder many parents tell me they would love their child to learn the game but have no idea where to begin themselves.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4761,"children":4762},{},[4763,4765,4770],{"type":38,"value":4764},"The good news is that ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4766,"children":4767},{},[4768],{"type":38,"value":4769},"the basic rules of chess are simple enough for a five-year-old to learn",{"type":38,"value":4771},". The depth comes later. The first step is just understanding how a game works.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4773,"children":4774},{},[4775],{"type":38,"value":4776},"This guide will walk you through everything you need to start playing your very first game.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":4778,"children":4779},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":4781,"children":4783},{"id":4782},"what-is-chess",[4784],{"type":38,"value":4785},"What is chess?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4787,"children":4788},{},[4789,4791,4796,4798,4803,4805,4810,4811,4816],{"type":38,"value":4790},"Chess is a two-player strategy game played on a square board of 64 alternating light and dark squares. One player controls the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4792,"children":4793},{},[4794],{"type":38,"value":4795},"light",{"type":38,"value":4797}," pieces (often called ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":4799,"children":4800},{},[4801],{"type":38,"value":4802},"white",{"type":38,"value":4804},"), and the other player controls the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4806,"children":4807},{},[4808],{"type":38,"value":4809},"dark",{"type":38,"value":4797},{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":4812,"children":4813},{},[4814],{"type":38,"value":4815},"black",{"type":38,"value":4817},").",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4819,"children":4820},{},[4821,4823,4828],{"type":38,"value":4822},"Each player begins with ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4824,"children":4825},{},[4826],{"type":38,"value":4827},"16 pieces",{"type":38,"value":4829},": one King, one Queen, two Rooks, two Bishops, two Knights, and eight Pawns.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4831,"children":4832},{},[4833,4835,4840],{"type":38,"value":4834},"The goal of the game is straightforward: ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4836,"children":4837},{},[4838],{"type":38,"value":4839},"checkmate the opponent's King",{"type":38,"value":4841},". Checkmate means the King is under attack and there is no legal way to escape. We will dig into checkmate in more detail later in this series.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":4843,"children":4844},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":4846,"children":4848},{"id":4847},"sportsmanship-comes-first",[4849],{"type":38,"value":4850},"Sportsmanship comes first",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4852,"children":4853},{},[4854],{"type":38,"value":4855},"Before any move is played, chess begins with respect.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4857,"children":4858},{},[4859,4861,4866,4868,4873,4874],{"type":38,"value":4860},"Traditionally, the two players ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4862,"children":4863},{},[4864],{"type":38,"value":4865},"shake hands",{"type":38,"value":4867}," before the game starts. When playing online, that handshake becomes a quick chat: ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":4869,"children":4870},{},[4871],{"type":38,"value":4872},"\"Good luck!\"",{"type":38,"value":2294},{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":4875,"children":4876},{},[4877],{"type":38,"value":4878},"\"Have a good game.\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4880,"children":4881},{},[4882],{"type":38,"value":4883},"This may seem like a small ritual, but it sets the tone. Every chess game is an opportunity to practice patience, focus, and sportsmanship — three skills that pay off far beyond the board.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4885,"children":4886},{},[4887,4889,4893],{"type":38,"value":4888},"At Chess4Life, we teach a mindset we call ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4890,"children":4891},{},[4892],{"type":38,"value":1459},{"type":38,"value":4894},". There is no losing as long as you are learning. That perspective alone changes how kids handle the inevitable ups and downs of competition.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":4896,"children":4897},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":4899,"children":4901},{"id":4900},"the-flow-of-a-chess-game",[4902],{"type":38,"value":4903},"The flow of a chess game",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4905,"children":4906},{},[4907,4909],{"type":38,"value":4908},"Chess is a turn-based game with one rule that surprises some new players: ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4910,"children":4911},{},[4912],{"type":38,"value":4913},"white always moves first.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4915,"children":4916},{},[4917,4919,4923],{"type":38,"value":4918},"After white plays, black moves, then white, then black, and so on. You may not skip a turn, and you may only move one piece per turn (with one special exception called ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":4920,"children":4921},{"href":693},[4922],{"type":38,"value":3925},{"type":38,"value":4924},", which we cover separately).",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4926,"children":4927},{},[4928],{"type":38,"value":4929},"A typical turn involves:",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":4931,"children":4932},{},[4933,4943,4958],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":4934,"children":4935},{},[4936,4941],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4937,"children":4938},{},[4939],{"type":38,"value":4940},"Choosing one of your pieces",{"type":38,"value":4942}," to move.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":4944,"children":4945},{},[4946,4951,4953,4957],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4947,"children":4948},{},[4949],{"type":38,"value":4950},"Moving that piece",{"type":38,"value":4952}," to a legal square based on how that piece moves. (Each piece moves differently — see ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":4954,"children":4955},{"href":684},[4956],{"type":38,"value":687},{"type":38,"value":3399},{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":4959,"children":4960},{},[4961,4966],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4962,"children":4963},{},[4964],{"type":38,"value":4965},"Capturing an opponent's piece",{"type":38,"value":4967}," if your piece lands on a square occupied by one. The captured piece is removed from the board for the rest of the game.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4969,"children":4970},{},[4971,4973,4978],{"type":38,"value":4972},"You may ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":4974,"children":4975},{},[4976],{"type":38,"value":4977},"never capture your own pieces",{"type":38,"value":4979}," and you may never make a move that puts your own King in danger.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4981,"children":4982},{},[4983],{"type":38,"value":4984},"That is essentially the entire flow of a chess game: alternating turns, one piece moved per turn, until someone is checkmated or the game ends in a draw.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":4986,"children":4987},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":4989,"children":4991},{"id":4990},"a-short-history-of-chess",[4992],{"type":38,"value":4993},"A short history of chess",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":4995,"children":4996},{},[4997,4999,5004,5006,5011],{"type":38,"value":4998},"The modern game we play today originated in the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5000,"children":5001},{},[5002],{"type":38,"value":5003},"15th century",{"type":38,"value":5005}," in Europe and evolved from a much older Indian game called ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5007,"children":5008},{},[5009],{"type":38,"value":5010},"chaturanga",{"type":38,"value":5012},", which dates back roughly 1,500 years.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5014,"children":5015},{},[5016,5018,5023,5025,5030],{"type":38,"value":5017},"Today, chess is played by millions of people worldwide — both casually at home and competitively in tournaments governed by ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5019,"children":5020},{},[5021],{"type":38,"value":5022},"FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs)",{"type":38,"value":5024},", the international chess federation. In the United States, the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5026,"children":5027},{},[5028],{"type":38,"value":5029},"United States Chess Federation (USCF)",{"type":38,"value":5031}," governs official competitions and ratings.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5033,"children":5034},{},[5035,5037,5042],{"type":38,"value":5036},"If you ever want to dig into the rich history of the game, here are a few ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5038,"children":5039},{},[5040],{"type":38,"value":5041},"chess champions",{"type":38,"value":5043}," worth researching with your child:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":5045,"children":5046},{},[5047,5057,5067,5077],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":5048,"children":5049},{},[5050,5055],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5051,"children":5052},{},[5053],{"type":38,"value":5054},"Paul Morphy",{"type":38,"value":5056}," — a 19th-century American prodigy who is still considered one of the most naturally gifted players in history.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":5058,"children":5059},{},[5060,5065],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5061,"children":5062},{},[5063],{"type":38,"value":5064},"Susan Polgar",{"type":38,"value":5066}," — the first woman to earn the title of Grandmaster through the same qualifications as men.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":5068,"children":5069},{},[5070,5075],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5071,"children":5072},{},[5073],{"type":38,"value":5074},"Hou Yifan",{"type":38,"value":5076}," — the youngest woman ever to become a Women's World Champion.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":5078,"children":5079},{},[5080,5085],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5081,"children":5082},{},[5083],{"type":38,"value":5084},"Magnus Carlsen",{"type":38,"value":5086}," — a Norwegian Grandmaster who has dominated the modern era and held the World Championship for over a decade.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5088,"children":5089},{},[5090],{"type":38,"value":5091},"These stories are full of inspiration, persistence, and yes — plenty of losses turned into lessons.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":5093,"children":5094},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":5096,"children":5098},{"id":5097},"what-you-need-to-start-playing",[5099],{"type":38,"value":5100},"What you need to start playing",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5102,"children":5103},{},[5104],{"type":38,"value":5105},"You only need three things:",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":5107,"children":5108},{},[5109,5126,5136],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":5110,"children":5111},{},[5112,5117,5119,5124],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5113,"children":5114},{},[5115],{"type":38,"value":5116},"A chess board and pieces.",{"type":38,"value":5118}," Any standard set works. A board with letters and numbers along the edges (called ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":5120,"children":5121},{},[5122],{"type":38,"value":5123},"algebraic notation",{"type":38,"value":5125},") is helpful for learning, but not required.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":5127,"children":5128},{},[5129,5134],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5130,"children":5131},{},[5132],{"type":38,"value":5133},"A partner.",{"type":38,"value":5135}," A parent, sibling, friend, or online opponent. Even another beginner is fine — you will both learn faster by playing.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":5137,"children":5138},{},[5139,5144],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5140,"children":5141},{},[5142],{"type":38,"value":5143},"A willingness to learn.",{"type":38,"value":5145}," Expect to lose your first games. Every chess player in the world has lost more games than they can count, including world champions. Each loss is a chance to learn something new.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":5147,"children":5148},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":5150,"children":5151},{"id":1489},[5152],{"type":38,"value":1492},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5154,"children":5155},{},[5156],{"type":38,"value":5157},"Once you understand the basic flow, the next steps are:",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":5159,"children":5160},{},[5161,5176,5191,5206],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":5162,"children":5163},{},[5164,5169,5171,5175],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5165,"children":5166},{},[5167],{"type":38,"value":5168},"Learn the board",{"type":38,"value":5170}," — how squares are named and how to set everything up. Read ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":5172,"children":5173},{"href":675},[5174],{"type":38,"value":678},{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":5177,"children":5178},{},[5179,5184,5186,5190],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5180,"children":5181},{},[5182],{"type":38,"value":5183},"Learn how each piece moves.",{"type":38,"value":5185}," This is where the game really opens up. Read ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":5187,"children":5188},{"href":684},[5189],{"type":38,"value":687},{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":5192,"children":5193},{},[5194,5199,5201,5205],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5195,"children":5196},{},[5197],{"type":38,"value":5198},"Learn the special rules.",{"type":38,"value":5200}," Castling, en passant, and pawn promotion catch many beginners off guard. Read ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":5202,"children":5203},{"href":693},[5204],{"type":38,"value":4571},{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":5207,"children":5208},{},[5209,5214,5216,5220],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5210,"children":5211},{},[5212],{"type":38,"value":5213},"Understand how a game ends.",{"type":38,"value":5215}," Checkmate is the goal, but draws happen too. Read ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":5217,"children":5218},{"href":702},[5219],{"type":38,"value":705},{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5222,"children":5223},{},[5224],{"type":38,"value":5225},"After that, you and your child will be ready to play full games and start improving.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":5227,"children":5228},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":5230,"children":5232},{"id":5231},"why-we-believe-in-chess",[5233],{"type":38,"value":5234},"Why we believe in chess",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5236,"children":5237},{},[5238,5240,5245],{"type":38,"value":5239},"I have coached over 10,000 students across two decades, and I keep coming back to one observation: ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5241,"children":5242},{},[5243],{"type":38,"value":5244},"chess is a vehicle, not the destination.",{"type":38,"value":5246}," The real value of learning chess is not winning trophies. It is developing focus, patience, problem-solving, sportsmanship, and the courage to try again after a setback.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5248,"children":5249},{},[5250],{"type":38,"value":5251},"Those are skills that show up in school, in relationships, in careers, and in life.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5253,"children":5254},{},[5255,5257,5263],{"type":38,"value":5256},"If you are ready to take the next step beyond the basics, ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":5258,"children":5260},{"href":785,"rel":5259},[496],[5261],{"type":38,"value":5262},"Chess4Life's online classes and camps",{"type":38,"value":5264}," are designed to make chess fun, social, and developmentally meaningful for kids of all skill levels. Our coaches are trained to teach the way I wish I had been taught when I was a beginner — with patience, encouragement, and a focus on growth over outcomes.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5266,"children":5267},{},[5268],{"type":38,"value":5269},"Welcome to the world of chess. We are glad you are here.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":5271,"children":5272},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5274,"children":5275},{},[5276],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":5277,"children":5278},{},[5279,5280,5285,5286,5291],{"type":38,"value":801},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":5281,"children":5283},{"href":804,"rel":5282},[496],[5284],{"type":38,"value":808},{"type":38,"value":810},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":5287,"children":5289},{"href":813,"rel":5288},[496],[5290],{"type":38,"value":817},{"type":38,"value":819},{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":5293},[5294,5295,5296,5297,5298,5299,5300],{"id":4782,"depth":821,"text":4785},{"id":4847,"depth":821,"text":4850},{"id":4900,"depth":821,"text":4903},{"id":4990,"depth":821,"text":4993},{"id":5097,"depth":821,"text":5100},{"id":1489,"depth":821,"text":1492},{"id":5231,"depth":821,"text":5234},"content:blog:how-to-play-chess-beginners-guide.md","blog/how-to-play-chess-beginners-guide.md",{"_path":675,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":5304,"description":5305,"thumbnail":5306,"header":5307,"tags":5308,"author":19,"authorUrl":20,"authorImage":21,"authorBio":22,"post_date":23,"summary":5311,"seo":5312,"body":5316,"_type":845,"_id":5990,"_source":847,"_file":5991,"_extension":849},"How to Set Up a Chess Board: Step-by-Step for Beginners","Setting up a chess board correctly is one of the smallest skills in chess and one of the most important. A wrong starting position will quietly wreck your game — even strong players occasionally place the King and Queen on the wrong squares and have to start over.","/uploads/wide-behind-pieces-634x423.jpeg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},[5309,931,858,859,5310,19],"Chess Board Setup","Algebraic Notation","Setting up a chess board correctly is the first habit every chess player needs to master. Learn how the 64 squares are organized, how to name any square using ranks and files, and how to place all 32 pieces in their correct starting positions.",{"title_tag":5313,"description_tag":5314,"estimated_reading_time":5315},"How to Set Up a Chess Board: Step-by-Step Guide | Chess4Life","Learn how to set up a chess board correctly, name any square using ranks and files, and place all 32 pieces in their starting positions. A clear beginner's walkthrough.","5",{"type":30,"children":5317,"toc":5976},[5318,5322,5327,5330,5336,5348,5353,5400,5429,5464,5467,5473,5478,5486,5491,5501,5504,5510,5515,5521,5532,5540,5612,5622,5628,5640,5648,5715,5725,5728,5734,5739,5747,5784,5796,5799,5805,5810,5815,5818,5824,5829,5837,5849,5854,5857,5863,5868,5878,5890,5893,5897,5909,5919,5924,5927,5933,5944,5954,5957],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5319,"children":5320},{},[5321],{"type":38,"value":5305},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5323,"children":5324},{},[5325],{"type":38,"value":5326},"This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the chess board itself: its structure, how to name any square, and how to set up all 32 pieces correctly.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":5328,"children":5329},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":5331,"children":5333},{"id":5332},"what-does-a-chess-board-look-like",[5334],{"type":38,"value":5335},"What does a chess board look like?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5337,"children":5338},{},[5339,5341,5346],{"type":38,"value":5340},"A standard chess board has ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5342,"children":5343},{},[5344],{"type":38,"value":5345},"64 squares",{"type":38,"value":5347}," arranged in an 8×8 grid. Half of the squares are light, half are dark, and the colors alternate.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5349,"children":5350},{},[5351],{"type":38,"value":5352},"The 64 squares are organized into:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":5354,"children":5355},{},[5356,5378],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":5357,"children":5358},{},[5359,5369,5371,5376],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5360,"children":5361},{},[5362,5364],{"type":38,"value":5363},"8 vertical columns called ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":5365,"children":5366},{},[5367],{"type":38,"value":5368},"files",{"type":38,"value":5370},". Files are labeled with letters ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5372,"children":5373},{},[5374],{"type":38,"value":5375},"a through h",{"type":38,"value":5377},", starting from white's left side.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":5379,"children":5380},{},[5381,5391,5393,5398],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5382,"children":5383},{},[5384,5386],{"type":38,"value":5385},"8 horizontal rows called ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":5387,"children":5388},{},[5389],{"type":38,"value":5390},"ranks",{"type":38,"value":5392},". Ranks are labeled with numbers ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5394,"children":5395},{},[5396],{"type":38,"value":5397},"1 through 8",{"type":38,"value":5399},", starting from white's side of the board.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5401,"children":5402},{},[5403,5405,5409,5410,5415,5417,5421,5423,5427],{"type":38,"value":5404},"Every square on the board has a unique name made of one letter and one number — for example, ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5406,"children":5407},{},[5408],{"type":38,"value":4118},{"type":38,"value":2756},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5411,"children":5412},{},[5413],{"type":38,"value":5414},"e4",{"type":38,"value":5416},", or ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5418,"children":5419},{},[5420],{"type":38,"value":4137},{"type":38,"value":5422},". This naming system is called ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5424,"children":5425},{},[5426],{"type":38,"value":5123},{"type":38,"value":5428},", and it is the universal language of chess. Once you can name squares quickly, reading chess books, watching coaching videos, and analyzing games becomes much easier.",{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":5430,"children":5431},{},[5432],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":5433,"children":5434},{},[5435,5440,5442,5447,5449,5455,5457,5463],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":5436,"children":5437},{},[5438],{"type":38,"value":5439},"Quick check:",{"type":38,"value":5441}," A square's name is always written ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":5443,"children":5444},{},[5445],{"type":38,"value":5446},"file first, rank second",{"type":38,"value":5448},". 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Why is controlling the center important? Why do we develop Knights before Bishops? Why is castling early so common? Why does the same opening avoid certain Pawn moves?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6146,"children":6147},{},[6148],{"type":38,"value":6149},"Once you understand the reasons, you can adapt to any opening move your opponent plays — even one you have never seen before.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":6151,"children":6153},{"id":6152},"how-to-actually-improve-your-opening",[6154],{"type":38,"value":6155},"How to actually improve your opening",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6157,"children":6158},{},[6159],{"type":38,"value":6160},"Here is the practical method I have used with hundreds of students:",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":6162,"children":6163},{},[6164,6174,6184,6201,6211],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6165,"children":6166},{},[6167,6172],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6168,"children":6169},{},[6170],{"type":38,"value":6171},"Write down the moves of every game you play.",{"type":38,"value":6173}," This is a habit, not a chore. After 20 games, you will have a personal database of how you actually play.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6175,"children":6176},{},[6177,6182],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6178,"children":6179},{},[6180],{"type":38,"value":6181},"Find a stronger player to look at your games.",{"type":38,"value":6183}," Even one session with a chess coach (or a much stronger friend) will reveal patterns in your openings you cannot see on your own.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6185,"children":6186},{},[6187,6192,6194,6199],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6188,"children":6189},{},[6190],{"type":38,"value":6191},"Imagine playing the same opponent again.",{"type":38,"value":6193}," As you review each game, ask: ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":6195,"children":6196},{},[6197],{"type":38,"value":6198},"\"If I played this opponent again with these exact same moves, what would I do differently now?\"",{"type":38,"value":6200}," Then write that down.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6202,"children":6203},{},[6204,6209],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6205,"children":6206},{},[6207],{"type":38,"value":6208},"Compare your moves to high-level games.",{"type":38,"value":6210}," Use a chess database (LiChess and Chess.com both have great free ones) to find Grandmaster games that started with the same opening moves you played. Compare what they did against what you did.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6212,"children":6213},{},[6214,6219,6221,6226],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6215,"children":6216},{},[6217],{"type":38,"value":6218},"Look for one slight improvement per game.",{"type":38,"value":6220}," Not ten. Not a complete overhaul. Just ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6222,"children":6223},{},[6224],{"type":38,"value":6225},"one",{"type":38,"value":6227}," small thing you would do better next time.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6229,"children":6230},{},[6231],{"type":38,"value":6232},"Doing this consistently for a few months produces remarkable results. The improvement is gradual but compounding — and unlike rote memorization, it generalizes to openings you have never studied.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":6234,"children":6235},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":6237,"children":6239},{"id":6238},"phase-2-the-middlegame",[6240],{"type":38,"value":6241},"Phase 2: The Middlegame",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6243,"children":6244},{},[6245,6246,6251,6253],{"type":38,"value":6079},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6247,"children":6248},{},[6249],{"type":38,"value":6250},"middlegame",{"type":38,"value":6252}," is the chess phase where most of the action happens. Pieces are developed, both Kings are usually safe, and now the question becomes: ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":6254,"children":6255},{},[6256],{"type":38,"value":6257},"what is your plan?",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":6259,"children":6261},{"id":6260},"the-common-gap-playing-random-moves-instead-of-purposeful-ones",[6262],{"type":38,"value":6263},"The common gap: playing random moves instead of purposeful ones",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6265,"children":6266},{},[6267],{"type":38,"value":6268},"The most common middlegame issue I see is a student who has finished their opening, has all their pieces developed, has castled — and then has no idea what to do next.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6270,"children":6271},{},[6272],{"type":38,"value":6273},"So they play \"moves.\" Not bad moves, exactly, but moves without a clear plan. They reposition a Knight here, push a Pawn there, and slowly drift into a worse position.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6275,"children":6276},{},[6277,6279,6284],{"type":38,"value":6278},"The goal is the opposite: ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6280,"children":6281},{},[6282],{"type":38,"value":6283},"every middlegame move should serve a clear plan",{"type":38,"value":6285},", even if that plan is small.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":6287,"children":6289},{"id":6288},"the-goal-use-the-8-imbalances-to-plan",[6290],{"type":38,"value":6291},"The goal: use the 8 imbalances to plan",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6293,"children":6294},{},[6295,6297,6302],{"type":38,"value":6296},"Strong players think about the middlegame using a concept called ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6298,"children":6299},{},[6300],{"type":38,"value":6301},"imbalances",{"type":38,"value":6303},". An imbalance is any difference between your position and your opponent's position. By identifying the imbalances on the board, you can build a clear plan that plays to your strengths and minimizes your opponent's.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6305,"children":6306},{},[6307,6308,6312],{"type":38,"value":2861},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6309,"children":6310},{},[6311],{"type":38,"value":2371},{"type":38,"value":6313}," every chess player should know:",{"type":33,"tag":227,"props":6315,"children":6316},{},[6317,6327,6337,6347,6357,6367,6377,6387],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6318,"children":6319},{},[6320,6325],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6321,"children":6322},{},[6323],{"type":38,"value":6324},"Material Imbalance",{"type":38,"value":6326}," — does one side have more pieces or higher-value pieces than the other?",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6328,"children":6329},{},[6330,6335],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6331,"children":6332},{},[6333],{"type":38,"value":6334},"Space Imbalance",{"type":38,"value":6336}," — does one side control more squares, especially in the center?",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6338,"children":6339},{},[6340,6345],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6341,"children":6342},{},[6343],{"type":38,"value":6344},"Pawn Structure Imbalance",{"type":38,"value":6346}," — are there isolated Pawns? Doubled Pawns? Passed Pawns? Pawn chains?",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6348,"children":6349},{},[6350,6355],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6351,"children":6352},{},[6353],{"type":38,"value":6354},"Superior Minor Piece Imbalance",{"type":38,"value":6356}," — does one side have a better Bishop or Knight, given the position?",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6358,"children":6359},{},[6360,6365],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6361,"children":6362},{},[6363],{"type":38,"value":6364},"Control of a Key File or Square Imbalance",{"type":38,"value":6366}," — does one side dominate an open file (a column with no Pawns) or a key central square?",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6368,"children":6369},{},[6370,6375],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6371,"children":6372},{},[6373],{"type":38,"value":6374},"Lead in Development Imbalance",{"type":38,"value":6376}," — does one side have more pieces in active positions?",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6378,"children":6379},{},[6380,6385],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6381,"children":6382},{},[6383],{"type":38,"value":6384},"Initiative Imbalance",{"type":38,"value":6386}," — is one side forcing the action, or is one side reacting?",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6388,"children":6389},{},[6390,6395],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6391,"children":6392},{},[6393],{"type":38,"value":6394},"King Safety Imbalance",{"type":38,"value":6396}," — is one King more exposed than the other?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6398,"children":6399},{},[6400,6402],{"type":38,"value":6401},"For each imbalance, ask: ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6403,"children":6404},{},[6405],{"type":38,"value":6406},"is it favorable for me, favorable for my opponent, or roughly neutral?",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":6408,"children":6410},{"id":6409},"how-to-use-the-8-imbalances-in-a-real-game",[6411],{"type":38,"value":6412},"How to use the 8 imbalances in a real game",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6414,"children":6415},{},[6416],{"type":38,"value":6417},"Once you have identified the imbalances:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":6419,"children":6420},{},[6421,6431,6441,6451],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6422,"children":6423},{},[6424,6429],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6425,"children":6426},{},[6427],{"type":38,"value":6428},"Strengthen the imbalances in your favor.",{"type":38,"value":6430}," If you have more space, push more Pawns. If you have a great Bishop, find squares for it that activate it even more.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6432,"children":6433},{},[6434,6439],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6435,"children":6436},{},[6437],{"type":38,"value":6438},"Neutralize your opponent's favorable imbalances.",{"type":38,"value":6440}," If they have a strong Knight, look for ways to trade it off or block its best squares.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6442,"children":6443},{},[6444,6449],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6445,"children":6446},{},[6447],{"type":38,"value":6448},"Choose a long-term goal.",{"type":38,"value":6450}," Most middlegame plans aim at one of two outcomes: (a) facilitate an attack on the opponent's King, or (b) win material to simplify into a winning endgame.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6452,"children":6453},{},[6454,6459],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6455,"children":6456},{},[6457],{"type":38,"value":6458},"Then choose candidate moves",{"type":38,"value":6460}," — three to five reasonable options that support your plan — and pick the strongest one.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6462,"children":6463},{},[6464],{"type":38,"value":6465},"This is what separates \"playing moves\" from \"playing chess.\" A clear understanding of imbalances turns the middlegame from chaos into a series of small, makeable decisions.",{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":6467,"children":6468},{},[6469],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6470,"children":6471},{},[6472,6477],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6473,"children":6474},{},[6475],{"type":38,"value":6476},"A useful mental habit:",{"type":38,"value":6478}," Whenever you finish your opening and enter the middlegame, pause for two minutes and silently list the imbalances out loud (or in your head). This single habit has helped many of my students jump 100+ rating points within a few months.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":6480,"children":6481},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":6483,"children":6485},{"id":6484},"phase-3-the-endgame",[6486],{"type":38,"value":6487},"Phase 3: The Endgame",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6489,"children":6490},{},[6491,6492,6497,6499],{"type":38,"value":6079},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6493,"children":6494},{},[6495],{"type":38,"value":6496},"endgame",{"type":38,"value":6498}," is the final stage of the game, after most pieces have been traded off. The board is mostly empty, the Kings come out from their corners, and the question becomes: ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":6500,"children":6501},{},[6502],{"type":38,"value":6503},"can you actually win this?",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":6505,"children":6507},{"id":6506},"the-common-gap-failing-to-convert-winning-positions",[6508],{"type":38,"value":6509},"The common gap: failing to convert winning positions",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6511,"children":6512},{},[6513],{"type":38,"value":6514},"I see this all the time at scholastic tournaments. A student plays a beautiful opening and middlegame, ends up two pieces ahead, and then... loses or draws the endgame because they do not know how to convert.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6516,"children":6517},{},[6518],{"type":38,"value":6519},"This is the single most heartbreaking pattern in chess. You did most of the hard work. The win is right there. And it slips away because the endgame skill was never built.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":6521,"children":6523},{"id":6522},"the-goal-confidently-turn-winning-positions-into-checkmates",[6524],{"type":38,"value":6525},"The goal: confidently turn winning positions into checkmates",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6527,"children":6528},{},[6529,6531,6536],{"type":38,"value":6530},"A strong endgame player ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6532,"children":6533},{},[6534],{"type":38,"value":6535},"rarely fails to convert a winning advantage",{"type":38,"value":6537},". They know the patterns, they know the principles, and they execute them cleanly.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6539,"children":6540},{},[6541,6543,6548],{"type":38,"value":6542},"The good news: endgames are surprisingly ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":6544,"children":6545},{},[6546],{"type":38,"value":6547},"learnable",{"type":38,"value":6549},". Unlike openings (which have endless theory) and middlegames (which depend on the position), endgames boil down to a finite set of patterns you can practice and know cold.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":6551,"children":6553},{"id":6552},"the-3-categories-of-endgame-study",[6554],{"type":38,"value":6555},"The 3 categories of endgame study",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6557,"children":6558},{},[6559],{"type":38,"value":6560},"There are three things to learn:",{"type":33,"tag":6562,"props":6563,"children":6565},"h4",{"id":6564},"_1-checkmating-patterns",[6566],{"type":38,"value":6567},"1. Checkmating patterns",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6569,"children":6570},{},[6571],{"type":38,"value":6572},"These are the standard ways to deliver checkmate when you have a clear material advantage. Every chess player should be able to confidently mate with:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":6574,"children":6575},{},[6576,6581,6586,6591,6596],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6577,"children":6578},{},[6579],{"type":38,"value":6580},"Two Rooks vs. lone King",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6582,"children":6583},{},[6584],{"type":38,"value":6585},"Queen and King vs. lone King",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6587,"children":6588},{},[6589],{"type":38,"value":6590},"Rook and King vs. lone King",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6592,"children":6593},{},[6594],{"type":38,"value":6595},"Two Bishops and King vs. lone King (harder)",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6597,"children":6598},{},[6599],{"type":38,"value":6600},"Bishop, Knight, and King vs. lone King (the famous tricky pattern)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6602,"children":6603},{},[6604],{"type":38,"value":6605},"Knowing these patterns gives you the confidence to trade pieces aggressively when ahead, knowing you can win the resulting endgame.",{"type":33,"tag":6562,"props":6607,"children":6609},{"id":6608},"_2-essential-thematic-endgames",[6610],{"type":38,"value":6611},"2. Essential thematic endgames",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6613,"children":6614},{},[6615],{"type":38,"value":6616},"These are positions involving Kings plus one type of additional piece:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":6618,"children":6619},{},[6620,6630,6640,6650,6658],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6621,"children":6622},{},[6623,6628],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6624,"children":6625},{},[6626],{"type":38,"value":6627},"Pawn endgames",{"type":38,"value":6629}," — Kings and Pawns only.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6631,"children":6632},{},[6633,6638],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6634,"children":6635},{},[6636],{"type":38,"value":6637},"Bishop and Pawn endgames",{"type":38,"value":6639}," — Kings, one or more Bishops, and Pawns.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6641,"children":6642},{},[6643,6648],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6644,"children":6645},{},[6646],{"type":38,"value":6647},"Rook and Pawn endgames",{"type":38,"value":6649}," — the most common endgame in real games.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6651,"children":6652},{},[6653],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6654,"children":6655},{},[6656],{"type":38,"value":6657},"Knight and Pawn endgames.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6659,"children":6660},{},[6661],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6662,"children":6663},{},[6664],{"type":38,"value":6665},"Queen and Pawn endgames.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6667,"children":6668},{},[6669],{"type":38,"value":6670},"Each category has its own characteristic patterns and ideas. Rook endgames in particular show up so often that strong players study them more than any other.",{"type":33,"tag":6562,"props":6672,"children":6674},{"id":6673},"_3-endgame-principles",[6675],{"type":38,"value":6676},"3. Endgame principles",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6678,"children":6679},{},[6680],{"type":38,"value":6681},"These are general rules that apply across many endgame types:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":6683,"children":6684},{},[6685,6701,6711,6721,6731],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6686,"children":6687},{},[6688,6693,6695,6699],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6689,"children":6690},{},[6691],{"type":38,"value":6692},"Activate your pieces.",{"type":38,"value":6694}," Passive pieces lose endgames. This includes the ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6696,"children":6697},{},[6698],{"type":38,"value":3805},{"type":38,"value":6700},", which becomes a strong attacking piece in the endgame, not a piece that needs hiding.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6702,"children":6703},{},[6704,6709],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6705,"children":6706},{},[6707],{"type":38,"value":6708},"Rooks belong behind passed Pawns.",{"type":38,"value":6710}," Whether you are the one pushing the Pawn or the one trying to stop it, the Rook is most powerful behind it, not in front.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6712,"children":6713},{},[6714,6719],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6715,"children":6716},{},[6717],{"type":38,"value":6718},"Knights are generally better than Bishops when Pawns are on one side of the board.",{"type":38,"value":6720}," The Knight's ability to jump and access both colors is more useful in cramped positions.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6722,"children":6723},{},[6724,6729],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6725,"children":6726},{},[6727],{"type":38,"value":6728},"Bishops are generally better than Knights when Pawns are on both sides of the board.",{"type":38,"value":6730}," A Bishop can quickly travel from one wing to the other; a Knight cannot.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":6732,"children":6733},{},[6734,6739],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6735,"children":6736},{},[6737],{"type":38,"value":6738},"In Queen endgames, centralize your Queen.",{"type":38,"value":6740}," A Queen on a central square attacks more of the board.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6742,"children":6743},{},[6744],{"type":38,"value":6745},"These principles are not iron laws — there are exceptions to all of them — but they are correct often enough to guide your play when you are unsure.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":6747,"children":6749},{"id":6748},"how-to-actually-practice-endgames",[6750],{"type":38,"value":6751},"How to actually practice endgames",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6753,"children":6754},{},[6755,6757,6762],{"type":38,"value":6756},"The most efficient way to improve your endgame is to practice ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6758,"children":6759},{},[6760],{"type":38,"value":6761},"specific positions",{"type":38,"value":6763}," rather than playing full games. Set up a Queen vs. lone King position and practice mating it in under 10 moves. Then practice a Rook and King vs. King. Then a Pawn endgame. Spend 15 minutes a day on this for two weeks and your endgame will dramatically improve.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6765,"children":6766},{},[6767,6769,6774],{"type":38,"value":6768},"We dive deeper into endgame practice resources at ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":6770,"children":6772},{"href":785,"rel":6771},[496],[6773],{"type":38,"value":808},{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":6776,"children":6777},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":6779,"children":6781},{"id":6780},"pulling-it-all-together",[6782],{"type":38,"value":6783},"Pulling it all together",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6785,"children":6786},{},[6787,6789,6794,6796,6801,6803,6808],{"type":38,"value":6788},"The opening, middlegame, and endgame are not three separate games. They are one game with three personalities. A player who ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6790,"children":6791},{},[6792],{"type":38,"value":6793},"understands",{"type":38,"value":6795}," their openings, ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6797,"children":6798},{},[6799],{"type":38,"value":6800},"plans",{"type":38,"value":6802}," through their middlegames, and ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6804,"children":6805},{},[6806],{"type":38,"value":6807},"confidently converts",{"type":38,"value":6809}," in the endgame is dramatically harder to beat than a player who is great at one phase and weak in the others.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6811,"children":6812},{},[6813],{"type":38,"value":6814},"The fastest way to improve is to identify which phase is your weakest and focus there for 90 days.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":6816,"children":6817},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":6819,"children":6821},{"id":6820},"what-about-the-supporting-skills",[6822],{"type":38,"value":6823},"What about the supporting skills?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6825,"children":6826},{},[6827,6829,6833,6835,6840],{"type":38,"value":6828},"Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame are Focus Areas 1, 2, and 3 from our ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":6830,"children":6831},{"href":5},[6832],{"type":38,"value":1698},{"type":38,"value":6834},". The remaining four — ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6836,"children":6837},{},[6838],{"type":38,"value":6839},"Tactics, Visualization & Calculation, Board Habits, and Psychology",{"type":38,"value":6841}," — are the supporting skills that determine how well you actually use your phase knowledge under pressure.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6843,"children":6844},{},[6845,6846,6850],{"type":38,"value":5913},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":6847,"children":6848},{"href":331},[6849],{"type":38,"value":751},{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":6852,"children":6853},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":6855,"children":6857},{"id":6856},"build-all-three-phases-with-structured-coaching",[6858],{"type":38,"value":6859},"Build all three phases with structured coaching",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6861,"children":6862},{},[6863,6865,6870],{"type":38,"value":6864},"The students I have seen improve fastest are not the ones who study the most. They are the ones who study ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6866,"children":6867},{},[6868],{"type":38,"value":6869},"the right things at the right time",{"type":38,"value":6871},", with someone helping them spot what to work on.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6873,"children":6874},{},[6875,6877,6881],{"type":38,"value":6876},"Chess4Life's ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":6878,"children":6879},{},[6880],{"type":38,"value":3520},{"type":38,"value":6882}," are built on the 7 Focus Areas framework. Our coaches identify which phase is holding a student back and design lessons that target it specifically — so practice time turns into rating points instead of plateaus.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6884,"children":6885},{},[6886,6891],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":6887,"children":6889},{"href":785,"rel":6888},[496],[6890],{"type":38,"value":789},{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":6893,"children":6894},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6896,"children":6897},{},[6898],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":6899,"children":6900},{},[6901,6902,6907,6908,6913],{"type":38,"value":801},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":6903,"children":6905},{"href":804,"rel":6904},[496],[6906],{"type":38,"value":808},{"type":38,"value":810},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":6909,"children":6911},{"href":813,"rel":6910},[496],[6912],{"type":38,"value":817},{"type":38,"value":819},{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":6915},[6916,6922,6927,6933,6934,6935],{"id":6071,"depth":821,"text":6074,"children":6917},[6918,6919,6921],{"id":6089,"depth":829,"text":6092},{"id":6123,"depth":829,"text":6920},"The goal: understand why every opening move is played",{"id":6152,"depth":829,"text":6155},{"id":6238,"depth":821,"text":6241,"children":6923},[6924,6925,6926],{"id":6260,"depth":829,"text":6263},{"id":6288,"depth":829,"text":6291},{"id":6409,"depth":829,"text":6412},{"id":6484,"depth":821,"text":6487,"children":6928},[6929,6930,6931,6932],{"id":6506,"depth":829,"text":6509},{"id":6522,"depth":829,"text":6525},{"id":6552,"depth":829,"text":6555},{"id":6748,"depth":829,"text":6751},{"id":6780,"depth":821,"text":6783},{"id":6820,"depth":821,"text":6823},{"id":6856,"depth":821,"text":6859},"content:blog:three-phases-of-chess-opening-middlegame-endgame.md","blog/three-phases-of-chess-opening-middlegame-endgame.md",{"_path":1478,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":1481,"description":6939,"thumbnail":11,"tags":6940,"author":19,"authorUrl":20,"authorImage":21,"authorBio":22,"post_date":6945,"summary":6946,"seo":6947,"body":6951,"_type":845,"_id":7541,"_source":847,"_file":7542,"_extension":849},"Chess does not magically create growth.",[6941,6942,6943,6944,19],"Chess Education","Teaching Chess","Life Skills","Chess Coaching","2025-04-26T07:00:00.000Z","Chess does not magically create growth. The teacher designs the experience, sets the tone, and makes thinking feel inviting or intimidating, safe or risky, meaningful or disconnected. Here are three practical design choices that matter most for engaged chess learning.",{"title_tag":6948,"description_tag":6949,"estimated_reading_time":6950},"Chess Is the Vehicle. The Teacher Is the Driver. | Chess4Life","Elliott Neff shares three practical design choices for chess teachers who want to build environments where life skills—not just chess skills—are developed.","10",{"type":30,"children":6952,"toc":7534},[6953,6957,6962,6967,6972,6980,6985,6988,6994,6999,7004,7009,7014,7019,7030,7035,7040,7045,7054,7062,7067,7072,7077,7087,7092,7097,7100,7106,7124,7129,7134,7139,7144,7152,7160,7165,7170,7175,7180,7190,7202,7207,7212,7217,7232,7237,7242,7245,7251,7256,7261,7266,7271,7276,7281,7286,7298,7303,7326,7331,7342,7345,7351,7361,7366,7371,7376,7384,7392,7400,7408,7413,7418,7428,7433,7438,7441,7447,7452,7457,7462,7467,7472,7477,7487,7497,7502,7507,7512,7515],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6954,"children":6955},{},[6956],{"type":38,"value":6939},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6958,"children":6959},{},[6960],{"type":38,"value":6961},"That may sound obvious, but it is a point worth saying clearly. Too often, people talk about chess as though the game itself automatically builds focus, resilience, problem-solving, or character. In my experience, that is not how it works. Chess is a powerful vehicle, but the environment around it determines where that vehicle goes.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6963,"children":6964},{},[6965],{"type":38,"value":6966},"The teacher designs the experience. The teacher sets the tone. The teacher makes thinking feel inviting or intimidating, safe or risky, meaningful or disconnected.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6968,"children":6969},{},[6970],{"type":38,"value":6971},"That was the heart of what I recently shared in a discussion with educators from around the world: if we want to use chess to develop life skills in children, we have to pay as much attention to the learning environment as we do to the game itself.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6973,"children":6974},{},[6975],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":6976,"children":6977},{},[6978],{"type":38,"value":6979},"(Thank you to the European Chess Union (ECU) Chess in Education Commission, and in particular Brigitta Peszleg and John Foley for hosting this discussion and their great work in chess education.)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6981,"children":6982},{},[6983],{"type":38,"value":6984},"Over the years, through thousands of classrooms and many mistakes along the way, I have found that engaged chess learning environments tend to rest on a few practical design choices. Here are three that matter most.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":6986,"children":6987},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":6989,"children":6991},{"id":6990},"_1-the-opening-matters-more-than-most-teachers-realize",[6992],{"type":38,"value":6993},"1. The opening matters more than most teachers realize",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":6995,"children":6996},{},[6997],{"type":38,"value":6998},"In chess, the opening sets the direction of the game. In teaching, the opening of a lesson or session does the same.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7000,"children":7001},{},[7002],{"type":38,"value":7003},"What happens in the first few minutes often determines whether students lean in or check out.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7005,"children":7006},{},[7007],{"type":38,"value":7008},"One of the biggest mistakes we can make is waiting for the full group to arrive before beginning anything meaningful. If the first students walk in and nothing is ready for them, they will fill that space with whatever they can find. Attention drifts before learning has even started.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7010,"children":7011},{},[7012],{"type":38,"value":7013},"I have found it far more effective to begin the moment the first child arrives.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7015,"children":7016},{},[7017],{"type":38,"value":7018},"That does not mean launching into a lecture. It means having an engaging check-in ready immediately: a challenge, puzzle, or activity that draws students into thinking right away.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7020,"children":7021},{},[7022,7024,7029],{"type":38,"value":7023},"The key is that it must feel ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7025,"children":7026},{},[7027],{"type":38,"value":7028},"safe",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7031,"children":7032},{},[7033],{"type":38,"value":7034},"By \"safe,\" I do not just mean physically safe. I mean emotionally and intellectually safe. A student who feels exposed, confused, or likely to fail in front of peers will often avoid thinking altogether. For some, the threat is embarrassment. For others, it is frustration. For others still, it is simply the fear of not understanding what is being asked.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7036,"children":7037},{},[7038],{"type":38,"value":7039},"A good opening activity lowers that barrier. It gives every student an entry point.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7041,"children":7042},{},[7043],{"type":38,"value":7044},"One example I shared was a simple pawn-placement challenge: see how many pawns you can place on the board so that none are in the same Rank, File, or Diagonal.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7046,"children":7047},{},[7048],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":7050,"children":7053},"img",{"alt":7051,"src":7052},"Pawn placement puzzle — how many pawns can you place with none sharing a rank, file, or diagonal?","/images/blog/image-59.png",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7055,"children":7056},{},[7057],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":7058,"children":7059},{},[7060],{"type":38,"value":7061},"(For fun, can you find how to finish the challenge by adding 4 more pawns to a partial solution, with none in the same lines as the pawns already placed?)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7063,"children":7064},{},[7065],{"type":38,"value":7066},"For experienced players it is an interesting constraint problem. For beginners, it is still accessible. Students can work alone, in pairs, or in groups — noticing patterns, shapes, and relationships.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7068,"children":7069},{},[7070],{"type":38,"value":7071},"That matters.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7073,"children":7074},{},[7075],{"type":38,"value":7076},"Students do not need to be entertained every second. But they do need a reason to engage. The right opening gives them one.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7078,"children":7079},{},[7080,7082],{"type":38,"value":7081},"Another principle here is just as important: ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7083,"children":7084},{},[7085],{"type":38,"value":7086},"end the opening activity before students want it to end.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7088,"children":7089},{},[7090],{"type":38,"value":7091},"That may sound counterintuitive, but it creates momentum. If students are still interested when you transition, they carry that energy into the main lesson. If you let the activity drag until everyone is finished or tired, you lose the lift it created.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7093,"children":7094},{},[7095],{"type":38,"value":7096},"In other words, the opening is not filler. It is design.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":7098,"children":7099},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":7101,"children":7103},{"id":7102},"_2-make-the-environment-safe-for-thinking-not-just-for-performing",[7104],{"type":38,"value":7105},"2. Make the environment safe for thinking, not just for performing",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7107,"children":7108},{},[7109,7111,7116,7118,7123],{"type":38,"value":7110},"One of the most important distinctions in teaching is the difference between asking students to ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7112,"children":7113},{},[7114],{"type":38,"value":7115},"perform",{"type":38,"value":7117}," and inviting students to ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7119,"children":7120},{},[7121],{"type":38,"value":7122},"think",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7125,"children":7126},{},[7127],{"type":38,"value":7128},"Those are not the same thing.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7130,"children":7131},{},[7132],{"type":38,"value":7133},"In many chess settings, students quickly sort themselves into familiar categories. Some believe they are already good and disengage because they think the work is beneath them. Others assume they are not good enough and disengage because the challenge feels threatening. In both cases, the learning shuts down.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7135,"children":7136},{},[7137],{"type":38,"value":7138},"A better approach is to frame activities in ways that emphasize exploration and problem-solving rather than status.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7140,"children":7141},{},[7142],{"type":38,"value":7143},"One side begins with a large material advantage, while the other has only a king. Under normal chess expectations, everyone knows what should happen. But then the goal changes: the stronger side is not just trying to \"win\"; it is trying to checkmate efficiently, while the lone king's job is to survive for a fixed number of moves.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7145,"children":7146},{},[7147],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":7148,"children":7151},{"alt":7149,"src":7150},"King survival activity — how long can your king last before being checkmated?","/images/blog/image-60.png",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7153,"children":7154},{},[7155],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":7156,"children":7157},{},[7158],{"type":38,"value":7159},"(Have you tried this activity? How many moves can your king survive before being checkmated? How many turns does it take to complete a checkmate successfully? What is the shortest possible checkmate?)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7161,"children":7162},{},[7163],{"type":38,"value":7164},"Now the activity becomes something different. Students are not merely playing a stronger side against a weaker side — they are solving a problem. They switch roles. They compare results. They ask whether they can improve. They work together to find shorter mates. The conversation shifts from \"I beat you\" to \"How do we figure this out?\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7166,"children":7167},{},[7168],{"type":38,"value":7169},"That shift is powerful.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7171,"children":7172},{},[7173],{"type":38,"value":7174},"Competition still exists, but it is no longer the only frame. Students are drawn into the work itself.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7176,"children":7177},{},[7178],{"type":38,"value":7179},"This is also where language matters more than many people realize, especially with younger children. A single unfamiliar term can cause disconnection. When a child does not understand the language being used, they can lose the meaning of the moment. That is why clarity, simplicity, and accessibility are not just communication skills — they are engagement tools.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7181,"children":7182},{},[7183,7185],{"type":38,"value":7184},"The broader point is this: ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7186,"children":7187},{},[7188],{"type":38,"value":7189},"students learn best when the environment allows them to experiment without being defined by the outcome.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7191,"children":7192},{},[7193,7195,7200],{"type":38,"value":7194},"At Chess4Life, we often say, ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":7196,"children":7197},{},[7198],{"type":38,"value":7199},"\"Win. Draw. Learn — there's no losing as long as you are learning.\"",{"type":38,"value":7201}," I often reframe \"FAIL\" as \"First Attempt In Learning.\" Not because failure is pleasant, but because students need a way to interpret struggle that keeps them in motion rather than shutting them down.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7203,"children":7204},{},[7205],{"type":38,"value":7206},"That mindset is not abstract. It changes how students experience challenge.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7208,"children":7209},{},[7210],{"type":38,"value":7211},"I shared a story in the discussion about a student I worked with for years. He was remarkable in one unusual way: no matter how winning his position, he seemed to find a way to lose. For three years, he kept showing up, kept trying, kept learning concepts — and still could not seem to break through in actual games.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7213,"children":7214},{},[7215],{"type":38,"value":7216},"Then one day, in a tournament, he managed a draw by stalemate. He jumped up in celebration as though he had won the event. Two weeks later, he scored three wins out of five and qualified for the state championships. Soon after, he repeated that result at the state scholastic championships.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7218,"children":7219},{},[7220],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":7221,"children":7222},{},[7223,7225,7230],{"type":38,"value":7224},"(You can read more about this student in my book ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":7226,"children":7228},{"href":813,"rel":7227},[496],[7229],{"type":38,"value":817},{"type":38,"value":7231},". In the book he is named Oliver, a name chosen to protect his identity.)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7233,"children":7234},{},[7235],{"type":38,"value":7236},"What changed was not sudden chess knowledge. It was mindset. He had broken through a barrier in how he saw himself.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7238,"children":7239},{},[7240],{"type":38,"value":7241},"That is one reason I believe so strongly that the teacher's role is not merely to explain the rules of chess. It is to create conditions where students can experience progress, courage, and belief.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":7243,"children":7244},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":7246,"children":7248},{"id":7247},"_3-competition-matters-but-structure-matters-more",[7249],{"type":38,"value":7250},"3. Competition matters, but structure matters more",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7252,"children":7253},{},[7254],{"type":38,"value":7255},"Children need opportunities to compete. Full stop.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7257,"children":7258},{},[7259],{"type":38,"value":7260},"If all we ever do is drills, exercises, or isolated skills work, students never experience the full reality of the game. Playing matters. Testing ideas matters. Feeling pressure matters. Learning how to respond in real time matters.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7262,"children":7263},{},[7264],{"type":38,"value":7265},"But unstructured competition often creates predictable problems.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7267,"children":7268},{},[7269],{"type":38,"value":7270},"If you simply say, \"Go play,\" many students will gravitate toward their closest friends. Stronger players may keep replaying the same weaker opponents. Some students will avoid challenge. Others will feel they have no chance. Over time, the room can drift toward cliques — or toward a small core of chess enthusiasts while everyone else fades into the background.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7272,"children":7273},{},[7274],{"type":38,"value":7275},"That is why structure matters.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7277,"children":7278},{},[7279],{"type":38,"value":7280},"One practical tool I discussed was using a round-robin style tracker that helps students play different peers over time. In the first week, they may choose freely. After that, the class uses the chart to see who they have not played yet. Suddenly the goal is not only \"Who can I beat?\" but also \"Who have I not learned with yet?\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7282,"children":7283},{},[7284],{"type":38,"value":7285},"That simple shift widens participation.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7287,"children":7288},{},[7289,7291,7296],{"type":38,"value":7290},"Another useful structure involves giving ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7292,"children":7293},{},[7294],{"type":38,"value":7295},"material odds",{"type":38,"value":7297}," based on prior results. If one student has significantly more wins than another, the difference can be converted into points of material removed before the game begins. A stronger player might start without a knight, three pawns, or a bishop, depending on the point gap.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7299,"children":7300},{},[7301],{"type":38,"value":7302},"This does a few things at once:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":7304,"children":7305},{},[7306,7311,7316,7321],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":7307,"children":7308},{},[7309],{"type":38,"value":7310},"It makes games more competitive",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":7312,"children":7313},{},[7314],{"type":38,"value":7315},"It gives newer or weaker players a more realistic chance",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":7317,"children":7318},{},[7319],{"type":38,"value":7320},"It introduces strategic decisions before the first move",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":7322,"children":7323},{},[7324],{"type":38,"value":7325},"It changes the emotional experience of the match — a student who would normally assume \"I have no chance\" now has a reason to engage fully",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7327,"children":7328},{},[7329],{"type":38,"value":7330},"Again, the teacher is designing the environment.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7332,"children":7333},{},[7334,7336,7341],{"type":38,"value":7335},"The goal is not to eliminate competition. It is to make competition ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7337,"children":7338},{},[7339],{"type":38,"value":7340},"developmental",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":7343,"children":7344},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":7346,"children":7348},{"id":7347},"the-deeper-lesson-meet-students-at-the-right-level",[7349],{"type":38,"value":7350},"The deeper lesson: meet students at the right level",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7352,"children":7353},{},[7354,7356],{"type":38,"value":7355},"Across all of this, one principle keeps resurfacing: ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7357,"children":7358},{},[7359],{"type":38,"value":7360},"students engage when the challenge meets them at the right level.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7362,"children":7363},{},[7364],{"type":38,"value":7365},"If the work is too hard, they feel defeated. If it is too easy, they get bored. If it is well matched, they think.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7367,"children":7368},{},[7369],{"type":38,"value":7370},"That sounds simple, but it takes real creativity in practice — especially when working with students of mixed skill levels.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7372,"children":7373},{},[7374],{"type":38,"value":7375},"One way to handle that is by using layered activities that naturally scale. A simple \"make-a-mate\" challenge can allow beginners to work on straightforward setups while stronger students move into more complex positions or even design their own. A basic queen-and-rook mate can become a richer exercise by adding defending pawns or other pieces for advanced students. The concept remains shared, but the difficulty adjusts.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7377,"children":7378},{},[7379],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7380,"children":7381},{},[7382],{"type":38,"value":7383},"Example 1: simple position",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7385,"children":7386},{},[7387],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":7388,"children":7391},{"alt":7389,"src":7390},"Simple checkmate position — queen and rook vs. lone king","/images/blog/image-123.png",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7393,"children":7394},{},[7395],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7396,"children":7397},{},[7398],{"type":38,"value":7399},"Example 2: expanded challenge",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7401,"children":7402},{},[7403],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":7404,"children":7407},{"alt":7405,"src":7406},"Expanded challenge — additional pieces and pawns complicate the conversion","/images/blog/image-61.png",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7409,"children":7410},{},[7411],{"type":38,"value":7412},"This kind of design is especially important in school settings, where the goal is often much broader than producing strong tournament players.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7414,"children":7415},{},[7416],{"type":38,"value":7417},"Most children in a school chess program are not on a path to master-level study. They are there to learn, think, interact, solve problems, and grow. Some may go on to compete seriously. Many will not. That does not diminish the value of the experience. If anything, it sharpens the responsibility to make chess educational in the fullest sense.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7419,"children":7420},{},[7421,7423],{"type":38,"value":7422},"That is also why I believe ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7424,"children":7425},{},[7426],{"type":38,"value":7427},"the end goal must shape the lesson design.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7429,"children":7430},{},[7431],{"type":38,"value":7432},"If your goal is only to produce stronger chess players, you will teach one way. If your goal is to use chess to help young people develop confidence, focus, resilience, communication, and problem-solving, you will teach another way.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7434,"children":7435},{},[7436],{"type":38,"value":7437},"Both can involve the same board. But they do not lead to the same classroom.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":7439,"children":7440},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":7442,"children":7444},{"id":7443},"chess-as-a-vehicle-for-life-skills",[7445],{"type":38,"value":7446},"Chess as a vehicle for life skills",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7448,"children":7449},{},[7450],{"type":38,"value":7451},"One of the reasons I stayed in this work is that I stopped seeing chess as the destination.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7453,"children":7454},{},[7455],{"type":38,"value":7456},"I began to see it as the vehicle.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7458,"children":7459},{},[7460],{"type":38,"value":7461},"Chess is incredibly useful because it creates visible moments of decision, consequence, patience, frustration, planning, adaptation, and self-awareness. It gives us a concrete way to help students wrestle with abstract life skills.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7463,"children":7464},{},[7465],{"type":38,"value":7466},"A child has to recover after a mistake. A child has to think before acting. A child has to handle uncertainty. A child has to realize that the same position can be approached in more than one way. A child has to learn that progress often comes through repeated attempts, not instant success.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7468,"children":7469},{},[7470],{"type":38,"value":7471},"Those are not just chess lessons.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7473,"children":7474},{},[7475],{"type":38,"value":7476},"They are life lessons — if the teacher knows how to surface them.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7478,"children":7479},{},[7480,7482],{"type":38,"value":7481},"That is why I believe the most important question is not, ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":7483,"children":7484},{},[7485],{"type":38,"value":7486},"\"Does chess teach life skills?\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7488,"children":7489},{},[7490,7492],{"type":38,"value":7491},"The better question is: ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7493,"children":7494},{},[7495],{"type":38,"value":7496},"\"How are we designing chess experiences so that life skills can actually be developed?\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7498,"children":7499},{},[7500],{"type":38,"value":7501},"That is where the real work is.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7503,"children":7504},{},[7505],{"type":38,"value":7506},"And that is where the real opportunity is too.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7508,"children":7509},{},[7510],{"type":38,"value":7511},"Because when the environment is thoughtfully built, chess becomes more than a game students learn. It becomes a place where they learn how to think, how to persist, and how to grow.",{"type":33,"tag":88,"props":7513,"children":7514},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7516,"children":7517},{},[7518],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":7519,"children":7520},{},[7521,7522,7527,7528,7533],{"type":38,"value":801},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":7523,"children":7525},{"href":804,"rel":7524},[496],[7526],{"type":38,"value":808},{"type":38,"value":810},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":7529,"children":7531},{"href":813,"rel":7530},[496],[7532],{"type":38,"value":817},{"type":38,"value":819},{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":7535},[7536,7537,7538,7539,7540],{"id":6990,"depth":821,"text":6993},{"id":7102,"depth":821,"text":7105},{"id":7247,"depth":821,"text":7250},{"id":7347,"depth":821,"text":7350},{"id":7443,"depth":821,"text":7446},"content:blog:chess-is-the-vehicle-the-teacher-is-the-driver.md","blog/chess-is-the-vehicle-the-teacher-is-the-driver.md",{"_path":7544,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":7545,"description":7546,"tags":7547,"seo":7548,"thumbnail":7550,"header":7551,"post_date":7552,"summary":7553,"body":7554,"_type":845,"_id":7729,"_source":847,"_file":7730,"_extension":849},"/blog/failing-forward-with-robert-dugoni","Spotlight: Failing Forward with Robert Dugoni ","At the center of a Venn diagram of law, writing, and chess, you’d likely find Robert Dugoni. He is a bestselling author who impacts millions of lives through his writings and integrated chess into his latest release “Her Deadly Game”. He’s also spent time as a professional legal practitioner before returning to writing, his original career path.",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"3","/uploads/img_0011.JPG",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2023-03-25T04:00:00.000Z","At the center of a Venn diagram of law, writing, and chess, you’d find Robert Dugoni. He is a bestselling author who integrates the game of chess into his writings to impact millions of lives. He’s also spent time as a professional legal practitioner before returning to writing, his original career path.\n\nRobert wasn’t always this well-rounded and...",{"type":30,"children":7555,"toc":7727},[7556,7570,7578,7583,7591,7596,7601,7606,7614,7619,7624,7629,7634,7642,7647,7652,7657,7665,7670,7675,7680,7685,7696,7701,7712],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7557,"children":7558},{},[7559,7561,7568],{"type":38,"value":7560},"At the center of a Venn diagram of law, writing, and chess, you’d likely find Robert Dugoni. He is a bestselling author who impacts millions of lives through his writings and integrated chess into his latest release “",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":7562,"children":7565},{"href":7563,"rel":7564},"https://www.robertdugonibooks.com/her-deadly-game",[496],[7566],{"type":38,"value":7567},"Her Deadly Game",{"type":38,"value":7569},"”. He’s also spent time as a professional legal practitioner before returning to writing, his original career path.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7571,"children":7572},{},[7573],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7574,"children":7575},{},[7576],{"type":38,"value":7577},"The beginnings of a dream",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7579,"children":7580},{},[7581],{"type":38,"value":7582},"Robert wasn’t always this well-rounded and successful. Like many other children, he often found himself getting into trouble at school. Some of his teachers requested that his mom get him into reading to help with these behaviors. At an early age he fell in love with books and became a voracious reader as well as a passionate story writer. As early as seventh grade, Robert knew what he wanted to be: his passion was writing stories and his dream to be one of the best story writers in the world.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7584,"children":7585},{},[7586],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7587,"children":7588},{},[7589],{"type":38,"value":7590},"Bumps in the road",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7592,"children":7593},{},[7594],{"type":38,"value":7595},"Robert set off on his journey to pursue his goals. He began writing stories in middle and high school, and continued to develop his writing through his education. Robert majored in journalism and creative writing during college which earned him a job at the LA Times, where he not only worked as a reporter but also got a chance to build his writing career. It seemed that he was well on his way to his dream.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7597,"children":7598},{},[7599],{"type":38,"value":7600},"However, the pressures of life soon swayed Rober from his path. He went to law school and became a lawyer to pay the bills, though he knew this was not his passion. In his words, he “chickened out” of his dream career path.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7602,"children":7603},{},[7604],{"type":38,"value":7605},"Robert practiced law for a full 15 years before he realized he could not follow this path anymore: he was afraid of losing his dreams of writing. Despite the risk and his fears, he knew it was time for a change. With the support of his family, Robert made a courageous move. At 39 years old, he switched his vocation and began to focus on writing full time.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7607,"children":7608},{},[7609],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7610,"children":7611},{},[7612],{"type":38,"value":7613},"A waste of time?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7615,"children":7616},{},[7617],{"type":38,"value":7618},"Robert could have viewed his 15 year break from his passion as a failure. He could have written it off as a waste of time. However, one of Robert’s life philosophies is to always fail forward. At Chess4Life, we call this Win.Draw.Learn. In chess, there is no true losing: you can win, you can draw, or you can learn. Robert chose to learn from his time as a lawyer and use it to make him an even better writer.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7620,"children":7621},{},[7622],{"type":38,"value":7623},"Robert faced another test of this lesson early in his writing career. When Robert made the jump to writing professionally at the age of 39, at first he thought that everything was going to be rosy for him. But soon he ran into roadblocks. For the first three or four years, things were pretty bleak. Robert went from making a solid income to making no income, and even received 43 rejection letters on his first novel.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7625,"children":7626},{},[7627],{"type":38,"value":7628},"But Robert did not give up. Instead, he took a step back and talked to people who in turn led him to great books that furthered his understanding. It turned out that failure after failure led him to learn important lessons about the craft of writing and how to succeed as an author. Robert discovered the importance of maintaining a positive attitude. As long as you are learning from your mistakes and always improving, your chances of success will get better and better. Robert knew that one day he would write a good novel that someone would pick up and buy.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7630,"children":7631},{},[7632],{"type":38,"value":7633},"This is why Robert sees such benefits to the game of chess. According to Robert, the game of chess can impact many lives because it teaches the mindsets of success, such as the importance of embracing failure as a learning experience, building the willingness to not give up, and developing the willingness to take a chance and try. Chess can lead to confidence and a positive attitude towards the things you do.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7635,"children":7636},{},[7637],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7638,"children":7639},{},[7640],{"type":38,"value":7641},"Chess in “Her Deadly Game”",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7643,"children":7644},{},[7645],{"type":38,"value":7646},"So how did this writer-turned-lawyer-turned-writer end up writing a book centered around chess?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7648,"children":7649},{},[7650],{"type":38,"value":7651},"Although he had never been a chess player before, Robert became fascinated by it during his time practicing law because some of the best trial attorneys he knew played chess. He discovered that his colleagues saw important connections between chess and their work. When a trial lawyer puts a witness on the stand, they must be prepared for four or five different answers that person could give them. Robert’s colleagues saw this as the same as how in chess, when you make a move, you must be prepared for the four or five countermoves your opponent could make.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7653,"children":7654},{},[7655],{"type":38,"value":7656},"This inspired Robert to write a novel in which the main character is both a lawyer and an excellent chess player. Being a novice chess player himself, Robert reached out to Chess4Life’s Elliott Neff for assistance in crafting the chess game that is key to the novel. He consulted with Elliott about realistic chess scenarios to best capture the important connections between chess and law. This unique story idea is exciting for readers and chess enthusiasts alike!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7658,"children":7659},{},[7660],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7661,"children":7662},{},[7663],{"type":38,"value":7664},"The benefits of chess",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7666,"children":7667},{},[7668],{"type":38,"value":7669},"As in practicing law, Robert also finds benefits from chess in his writing. He tends to write his books without an outline, so he does not know how it will end from the beginning. Instead, he discovers it along the way with his characters. Therefore, he must be able to think through multiple pathways. Similarly in chess, players must be able to consider multiple pathways and make predictions about what impact their next move will have on each one.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7671,"children":7672},{},[7673],{"type":38,"value":7674},"Robert sees connections to chess in his personal life too. Chess skills help you to analyze any situation and choose from the various options in front of you. Robert sees this as especially beneficial when you are faced with a myriad of unexpected situations in life. Just like in chess, we cannot always predict what will happen in life. We must be prepared to problem solve whenever problems arise.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7676,"children":7677},{},[7678],{"type":38,"value":7679},"One of Robert’s key life lessons is: don't be afraid to try just because you think the worst can happen. After all, competition is not just about winning. You're never going to win everything. Any good chess player will tell you they have lost many, many games along the way. Instead of focusing on winning, Robert advises that whenever you play, learn to win with dignity and lose with grace. Whether you win or lose, you are able to learn a lot from your opponent and there is much to be appreciative of.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7681,"children":7682},{},[7683],{"type":38,"value":7684},"For Robert, hard work and persistence has earned him everything he hoped for in life. His advice to the young people is to find your passion and then find a way to make a living from it. Pursue it and never give up when it doesn't work the first time. Do not be afraid of failure; in life you are either going to win, draw or learn your way forward.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7686,"children":7687},{},[7688,7690],{"type":38,"value":7689},"You can learn more from Robert Dugoni through his website at ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":7691,"children":7694},{"href":7692,"rel":7693,"title":7692},"https://www.robertdugonibooks.com/",[496],[7695],{"type":38,"value":7692},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7697,"children":7698},{},[7699],{"type":38,"value":7700},"Check out the full interview below!",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":7703,"children":7711},"iframe",{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":7706,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":7709,"allowFullScreen":7710},560,315,"https://www.youtube.com/embed/gCUenJGTtSg","YouTube video player","0","accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share",true,[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7713,"children":7714},{},[7715,7719,7723],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":7716,"children":7718},{"alt":8,"src":7717},"/uploads/img_2936.JPG",[],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":7720,"children":7722},{"alt":8,"src":7721},"/uploads/img_1582.JPEG",[],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":7724,"children":7726},{"alt":8,"src":7725},"/uploads/3.jpg",[],{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":7728},[],"content:blog:failing-forward-with-robert-dugoni.md","blog/failing-forward-with-robert-dugoni.md",{"_path":7732,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":7733,"description":7734,"tags":7735,"seo":7736,"thumbnail":7737,"header":7738,"post_date":7739,"summary":7740,"body":7741,"_type":845,"_id":7934,"_source":847,"_file":7935,"_extension":849},"/blog/chess4life-spotlight-setting-chess-apart-from-competitive-sports-and-expanding-chess-awareness","Chess4life Spotlight: Setting Chess Apart From Competitive Sports And Expanding Chess Awareness","Josh is a chess master who has dedicated much of his life to transforming thousands and thousands of kids' lives through the game of chess. He grew up in the Seattle area where he also attended elementary, middle school and high school. He later went to college in California and studied engineering but ultimately chose to pursue chess which to him was not only a passion but also a calling.",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/mj2a7538.jpg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-11-25T05:00:00.000Z","Josh is a chess master who has dedicated much of his life to transforming thousands and thousands of kids' lives through the game of chess. He grew up in the Seattle area where...",{"type":30,"children":7742,"toc":7932},[7743,7747,7752,7760,7765,7770,7775,7780,7785,7793,7798,7803,7808,7813,7818,7826,7838,7849,7860,7871,7882,7887,7892,7900,7905,7910,7918,7923,7928],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7744,"children":7745},{},[7746],{"type":38,"value":7734},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7748,"children":7749},{},[7750],{"type":38,"value":7751},"Currently, he works with several organizations to promote chess locally and nationally. He is also a chess coach; teaching chess in 10 schools in the greater Seattle area. He keeps busy with nonprofit activities through non-profit organizations like Washington Chess Federation, Chess Enrichment Association, Chess Mates Foundation and Northwest Chess to promote and expand chess awareness.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7753,"children":7754},{},[7755],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7756,"children":7757},{},[7758],{"type":38,"value":7759},"Discovering his chess talent",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7761,"children":7762},{},[7763],{"type":38,"value":7764},"Josh picked up chess in high school when a player in his school who was highly rated showed him few openings. He got the opportunity to learn the London system and the French defense from his fellow student.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7766,"children":7767},{},[7768],{"type":38,"value":7769},"He then joined the internet chess club where he learned chess all by himself; watching lots of videos and playing many games of speed chess. He also watched other strong players play and mimicked what they did.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7771,"children":7772},{},[7773],{"type":38,"value":7774},"Apart from watching videos, he also read a couple of chess books. His first book was Chess Strategy by Edward Lasker. Capablanca's Best Games was another one of his favourites. He eventually became a master in 2007 during the Washington Chess Federation tournaments.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7776,"children":7777},{},[7778],{"type":38,"value":7779},"Having realized that he loved and enjoyed teaching the game of chess as much as playing it, it became his dream to be a chess coach. He was introduced to some local Chess coaches; Yogi Orlov and Elena Donaldson who were very great chess couple.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7781,"children":7782},{},[7783],{"type":38,"value":7784},"Josh started coaching chess with a few private students and a couple of schools which later blossomed into a full teaching career.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7786,"children":7787},{},[7788],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7789,"children":7790},{},[7791],{"type":38,"value":7792},"Using Chess to impact lives",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7794,"children":7795},{},[7796],{"type":38,"value":7797},"Through Josh, the game of chess has impacted a lot of lives. For example, many students who started very shy and introverted finally came out of their shells. This was through chess classes and private coaching. They have also been able to blossom throughout their school careers to become much more outgoing.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7799,"children":7800},{},[7801],{"type":38,"value":7802},"Again, travelling to tournaments, making friends and establishing long-term relationships has made chess an equalizer. It connects people and makes everybody more comfortable being in each other's company when there's a common activity that everybody can relate to.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7804,"children":7805},{},[7806],{"type":38,"value":7807},"In chess, everyone is treated equally despite their background, social class or where they currently live. It's a universal language and anybody can become good at chess through hard work, proper study and discipline.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7809,"children":7810},{},[7811],{"type":38,"value":7812},"Besides, chess is a vehicle for developing the mindset of success through a draw-or-win mindset.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7814,"children":7815},{},[7816],{"type":38,"value":7817},"As a social vehicle, chess helps you look on the brighter side of life and become more optimistic even if you're a natural pessimist.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7819,"children":7820},{},[7821],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7822,"children":7823},{},[7824],{"type":38,"value":7825},"Benefits of chess to the society",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7827,"children":7828},{},[7829,7831,7836],{"type":38,"value":7830},"· ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7832,"children":7833},{},[7834],{"type":38,"value":7835},"Improving the lives of many youth",{"type":38,"value":7837},"s- Through chess, a non-profit organization like Chess Mates Foundation helps a lot of youth who don't have the necessary means and benefits to work on a national level. Such organizations also make chess more mainstream through the media and create ground influence, making chess be talked about by everyone.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7839,"children":7840},{},[7841,7842,7847],{"type":38,"value":7830},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7843,"children":7844},{},[7845],{"type":38,"value":7846},"Providing scholarships for students to play -",{"type":38,"value":7848}," Chess provides scholarships for students who play and even makes chess more accessible for them.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7850,"children":7851},{},[7852,7853,7858],{"type":38,"value":7830},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7854,"children":7855},{},[7856],{"type":38,"value":7857},"Nurturing relationships -",{"type":38,"value":7859}," It finds and nurtures relationships with long-term financial supporters for their sport. This has been local although getting corporate sponsorship could be a game changer.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7861,"children":7862},{},[7863,7864,7869],{"type":38,"value":7830},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7865,"children":7866},{},[7867],{"type":38,"value":7868},"Providing opportunities for the youth -",{"type":38,"value":7870}," Chess helps in growing opportunities for youth who can then move into other amazing career opportunities through the skills and connections they've developed.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7872,"children":7873},{},[7874,7875,7880],{"type":38,"value":7830},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7876,"children":7877},{},[7878],{"type":38,"value":7879},"Instilling the skill of executive decision-making",{"type":38,"value":7881}," – One of the biggest skills that chess teaches kids is the skill of executive decision-making. This is considered valuable since these learners are going to be future leaders of society or become leaders in their fields and their careers.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7883,"children":7884},{},[7885],{"type":38,"value":7886},"Although only a few people become masters, any level player and any experience can still reap the benefits of playing chess. But it especially helps those players who are more recreational and play chess and practice it occasionally. Such people only develop the tools through the study and practice of the game.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7888,"children":7889},{},[7890],{"type":38,"value":7891},"People who become more serious about chess and ultimately want to move up through the ranks and hit the goal of becoming a chess masters level are always more focused on the theory side and learning many patterns in chess.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7893,"children":7894},{},[7895],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7896,"children":7897},{},[7898],{"type":38,"value":7899},"Biggest accomplishment in 10 years",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7901,"children":7902},{},[7903],{"type":38,"value":7904},"Josh’s biggest dream is the growth of Scholastic chess. That's his main focus and passion in which he would like to see a great number of kids play chess. In 10 years, he would love to see chess as a subject offered in schools not just as an after-school or enrichment activity.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7906,"children":7907},{},[7908],{"type":38,"value":7909},"Because that’s ultimately how most kids are going to get the benefits of chess if it's built into the curriculum. He would also love to see the number of chess scholastics and players grow in the next 10 years.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7911,"children":7912},{},[7913],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7914,"children":7915},{},[7916],{"type":38,"value":7917},"Advice to young people in chess",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7919,"children":7920},{},[7921],{"type":38,"value":7922},"Josh’s best piece of advice to his younger self would be; don't be afraid to be angular. Pursue what you are interested in and don't worry too much about the so-called well-rounded approach of dabbling in everything. Find whatever you like to do and go for it and never look back.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7924,"children":7925},{},[7926],{"type":38,"value":7927},"Check out Josh's full interview below:",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":7929,"children":7931},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":7930,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":7709,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/kHpK9de6UPg",[],{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":7933},[],"content:blog:chess4life-spotlight-setting-chess-apart-from-competitive-sports-and-expanding-chess-awareness.md","blog/chess4life-spotlight-setting-chess-apart-from-competitive-sports-and-expanding-chess-awareness.md",{"_path":7937,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":7938,"description":7939,"tags":7940,"seo":7941,"thumbnail":7942,"header":7943,"post_date":7944,"summary":7945,"body":7946,"_type":845,"_id":8125,"_source":847,"_file":8126,"_extension":849},"/blog/chess4life-spotlight-how-kids-can-learn-chess-and-its-effects-on-their-growth-with-siva-sankrithi","Chess4life Spotlight: How Kids Can Learn Chess And Its Effects On Their Growth  With Siva Sankrithi","The game of chess has been a major part of Siva Sankrithi’s life. It is something he has always enjoyed and dabbled in various ways. Siva retired from his career as a high school teacher only at 29 to focus on homeschooling his kids and running a small educational consulting nonprofit where he taught math and worked with kids of all ages from preschool to college.",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/fb_img_1666713668736.jpg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-11-18T05:00:00.000Z","The game of chess has been a major part of Siva Sankrithi’s life. It is something he has always enjoyed and dabbled in various ways. Siva retired from his career as a high school teacher only at 29 to focus on homeschooling his kids and running a small educational consulting nonprofit where he...",{"type":30,"children":7947,"toc":8123},[7948,7952,7957,7962,7967,7972,7977,7985,7990,7995,8000,8005,8013,8018,8023,8028,8036,8041,8046,8051,8056,8061,8066,8071,8079,8084,8089,8094,8099,8103,8107],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7949,"children":7950},{},[7951],{"type":38,"value":7939},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7953,"children":7954},{},[7955],{"type":38,"value":7956},"Given that he grew up in different education models where he went to both private and public schools, where he saw the discrepancy between the systems, as a lifelong educator he felt he could bring a change.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7958,"children":7959},{},[7960],{"type":38,"value":7961},"But rather than focusing on his high school math teaching career, he instead ventured into the game of chess. He had been playing chess while still in middle school with some of his classmates in the team element. When team games and awards came and they needed an extra player, Siva grabbed the opportunity which he used to build new friendships through chess.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7963,"children":7964},{},[7965],{"type":38,"value":7966},"Over time, he could probably develop more friendships through chess than anything else. When Lakeside School chess mentor was retiring, Siva was appointed to take over and so for nine years he led and mentored the team.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7968,"children":7969},{},[7970],{"type":38,"value":7971},"He would hire masters and teachers to come in and give lessons and together they grew the program with the kids learning and growing not only in chess but also in joy and love for the game. There was more trust in the program as more donors and parents came in to give their donations. To Siva, this became a self-fulfilling prophecy.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7973,"children":7974},{},[7975],{"type":38,"value":7976},"The Lakeside School team played and won several state championships, multiple national blitz titles and Bughouse titles. In terms of national events, they won some middle and high school awards. But apart from the results, they could get the camaraderie and friendships which made the game of chess more re-energized and more loved.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7978,"children":7979},{},[7980],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":7981,"children":7982},{},[7983],{"type":38,"value":7984},"Benefits of chess",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7986,"children":7987},{},[7988],{"type":38,"value":7989},"As a passionate educator, the following are some benefits Siva sees from playing chess:",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7991,"children":7992},{},[7993],{"type":38,"value":7994},"· Chess is a gateway to better learning and performance. From chess, you learn not only the letters, numbers and grid sets but the ability to take turns, be patient and plan.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":7996,"children":7997},{},[7998],{"type":38,"value":7999},"· Through chess, you can make rational decisions about life's uncertainties.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8001,"children":8002},{},[8003],{"type":38,"value":8004},"· Chess in a safe, fun, collaborative and competitive environment allows kids to gain confidence which brings self-advocacy, spatial reasoning and algorithmic thinking, all necessary for success in other spaces.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8006,"children":8007},{},[8008],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":8009,"children":8010},{},[8011],{"type":38,"value":8012},"How early can a kid start learning chess?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8014,"children":8015},{},[8016],{"type":38,"value":8017},"Definitely, this can be started at a very young age and certainly a three-year-old can learn the elements of chess. When it comes to learning about the moves, the squares and those letters and numbers and seeing patterns with fewer pieces on the board than in a traditional full chess game, then you can start as early as you want.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8019,"children":8020},{},[8021],{"type":38,"value":8022},"The beauty of early childhood learning is that it comes with unparalleled energy and a desire to learn. But when we talk about chess as a vehicle and as a tool for community positive impact, it is an amazing educational tool. It's incredible what the kids can do and what they can learn.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8024,"children":8025},{},[8026],{"type":38,"value":8027},"Other than building community and friendship opportunities, chess has personal benefits such as building a higher level of thinking, problem-solving and improving complex elements such as planning and strategy.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8029,"children":8030},{},[8031],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":8032,"children":8033},{},[8034],{"type":38,"value":8035},"The curve of benefit versus learning",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8037,"children":8038},{},[8039],{"type":38,"value":8040},"There are definitely different benefits at different levels. For example, a lot of students at an early level show confidence in their learning even whenever they encounter any problem in their space. They are never scared or turned off by the problems.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8042,"children":8043},{},[8044],{"type":38,"value":8045},"In terms of growth, once they get to the thousand-rated levels and start playing tournaments, the most important thing for kids is to become patient as they transition into higher classes like an expert or master. It's a different thing that permeates into life and allows kids to study deeply, do research and look at games. They can also analyze positions and deeply work on pattern recognition for tactics and planning.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8047,"children":8048},{},[8049],{"type":38,"value":8050},"Back to the idea of rational decision-making, those who can anticipate further and not be emotionally phased by unexpected things know what to expect at every level. Therefore, at different levels of chess, there are different potential benefits.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8052,"children":8053},{},[8054],{"type":38,"value":8055},"Through training and learning, chess instils the mindset of achieving success where it’s either you win or draw although failure is the first attempt at success. It develops GRIT which comes through fun and carries over into the can-do attitude because if you think you can, probably can and if you think you can't, you definitely can't.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8057,"children":8058},{},[8059],{"type":38,"value":8060},"When it comes to sportsmanship and on a more broad level of camaraderie and community, the game of chess brings us joy in a lot of ways as humans. For example, when his friends approached and asked him to join the chess team, Siva saw nothing but an opportunity to grow and improve.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8062,"children":8063},{},[8064],{"type":38,"value":8065},"That is because the game of chess is not only competitive but also collaborative and beautiful and more of a learning hive where you constantly bounce each other's ideas. Unlike other sports which only teach sportsmanship, chess gives you a unique environment that is simultaneously competitive and super collaborative with the desire for collective growth.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8067,"children":8068},{},[8069],{"type":38,"value":8070},"There is also a constant desire to improve, get better and take your talents to the next level that is embedded within chess and in life.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8072,"children":8073},{},[8074],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":8075,"children":8076},{},[8077],{"type":38,"value":8078},"Advice to young people",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8080,"children":8081},{},[8082],{"type":38,"value":8083},"Siva’s best advice to his younger self is to be you and trust the process. Most often, young people get constantly inundated with advice when they are growing up whether solicited or unsolicited. But as a young person, you are your own person and you have your own path.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8085,"children":8086},{},[8087],{"type":38,"value":8088},"As you welcome all advice, you need to have a very authentic sense of who you are and filter whatever is necessary. Again, as you grow, there will be several roadblocks and several challenges that you have to navigate.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8090,"children":8091},{},[8092],{"type":38,"value":8093},"You, therefore, have to trust the process and trust what you have learned to give you the strength to overcome those challenges and keep going.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8095,"children":8096},{},[8097],{"type":38,"value":8098},"The game of chess is a lot of fun and there are also a lot of benefits that you can gain outside just the game itself. According to Siva, the community, the sportsmanship, the friendship and the decision-making under uncertainty that come through playing chess, all can make a world of difference in your life.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8100,"children":8101},{},[8102],{"type":38,"value":7700},{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":8104,"children":8106},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":8105,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":7709,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/wPRNPU77oag",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8108,"children":8109},{},[8110,8114,8115,8119],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":8111,"children":8113},{"alt":8,"src":8112},"/uploads/pxl_20220627_194024998-portrait.jpg",[],{"type":38,"value":130},{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":8116,"children":8118},{"alt":8,"src":8117},"/uploads/img_20220706_225630.jpg",[],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":8120,"children":8122},{"alt":8,"src":8121},"/uploads/pxl_20220703_021614872-portrait_2.jpg",[],{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":8124},[],"content:blog:chess4life-spotlight-how-kids-can-learn-chess-and-its-effects-on-their-growth-with-siva-sankrithi.md","blog/chess4life-spotlight-how-kids-can-learn-chess-and-its-effects-on-their-growth-with-siva-sankrithi.md",{"_path":8128,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":8129,"description":8130,"tags":8131,"seo":8132,"thumbnail":8133,"header":8134,"post_date":8135,"summary":8136,"body":8137,"_type":845,"_id":8358,"_source":847,"_file":8359,"_extension":849},"/blog/chess4life-spotlight-becoming-dean-of-scholastic-chess-and-playing-a-gm-in-chess-with-dewain-barber","Chess4Life Spotlight: Becoming Dean of Scholastic Chess And Playing A GM In Chess with Dewain Barber","Teaching chess and bringing the benefits to kids as well as volunteering to do all kinds of initiatives gives Dewain Barber a rich backstory. However, despite already having accomplished many things, he is yet to slow down. Instead, he has gone forward with more energy from creating stories and experiences to writing and publishing many books to promote scholastic chess.",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/hic-1-cl-cover-medallion.JPG",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-11-11T05:00:00.000Z","Having been involved in chess for about 10 years, Dewain got a phone call back in 1984: a phone call that still resonates with him 38 years down the line...",{"type":30,"children":8138,"toc":8356},[8139,8143,8148,8153,8158,8163,8168,8173,8178,8183,8188,8193,8201,8206,8211,8216,8221,8229,8234,8239,8244,8249,8254,8259,8264,8269,8274,8279,8284,8292,8297,8302,8310,8315,8320,8328,8347,8352],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8140,"children":8141},{},[8142],{"type":38,"value":8130},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8144,"children":8145},{},[8146],{"type":38,"value":8147},"Having been involved in chess for about 10 years, Dewain got a phone call back in 1984: a phone call that still resonates with him 38 years down the line. This was a call from Grand Master Arnold Denker. It was a call to organize the first Denker Tournament of High School Champions.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8149,"children":8150},{},[8151],{"type":38,"value":8152},"The tournament did not only give Dewain an opportunity to be a high school state champion and to compete against other state champions and other chess players. It also fostered new relationships and new friendships that have since impacted his life.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8154,"children":8155},{},[8156],{"type":38,"value":8157},"Eventually, Dewain organized a new tournament of K-8 champions with a duplicate of the rules used in the Denker tournament. The new tournament was named to Dewain Barber Tournament of K-8 Champion. Consequently, this led to the introduction of the girls’ event.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8159,"children":8160},{},[8161],{"type":38,"value":8162},"As Dewain was sitting in a restaurant relaxing after the national elementary, a young lady walks in and sits down looking him in the eye. She said, I noticed that you have this grand Master Denker tournament of high school champions, can we do it for girls? This was Grand Master and Women's World Champion, Susan Polgar. She wanted to host the girls’ chess championship which to Dewain was a wonderful thing.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8164,"children":8165},{},[8166],{"type":38,"value":8167},"Just when he was attending one of the US opens, another young man whom he had known for many years came over and said, do you think we might consider having a K-5 tournament?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8169,"children":8170},{},[8171],{"type":38,"value":8172},"About five minutes later, another guy walks in, looks at Dewain and he said, well how much does it cost if somebody wanted to sponsor an event like the Grand Master Arnold Denker tournament? This was from John Rockefeller the fifth.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8174,"children":8175},{},[8176],{"type":38,"value":8177},"Dewain used this as an opportunity to push for the scholarships because to him that was the most important thing. He immediately changed the name from Denker to Rockefeller and the Rockefeller tournament became a realization of the Rockefeller scholarship for kids.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8179,"children":8180},{},[8181],{"type":38,"value":8182},"Now, the Rockefeller scholarship has seen several players win and earn the right to represent their states. Other than travelling, they have also won several awards, learned to focus, develop chess skills as well as expanded their horizons. Although many of these youth are not necessarily from well-to-do homes, chess playing has become a level playing field where anybody can benefit.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8184,"children":8185},{},[8186],{"type":38,"value":8187},"When Dewain just thought that everything was done with the Rockefeller tournament, another young man from South Carolina, David Grimma, walked up to him and said, could we do it for seniors? So, when they went into the meeting, Dewain found the idea interesting and warmly supported it. Of course, a tournament for 50-plus aged people is something he had really longed for.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8189,"children":8190},{},[8191],{"type":38,"value":8192},"In honor of all his hard work, Dewain received an award for the title of the Dean of Scholastic Chess from the delegates of the US Chess Federation. This fitting award to honored the work he has done in volunteering to make a difference in kids' lives.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8194,"children":8195},{},[8196],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":8197,"children":8198},{},[8199],{"type":38,"value":8200},"Dewain Barber’s most memorable chess games",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8202,"children":8203},{},[8204],{"type":38,"value":8205},"According to Dewain, there was a young man who had gone around the United States, stopping virtually in 10 states and played 20 or 30 people. He was a Grand Master and six-time United States champion.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8207,"children":8208},{},[8209],{"type":38,"value":8210},"When he arrived, the organizers of the Cerrito's Chess Club were able to find a total of 63 people who wanted to play in his largest simul offering. The guy was originally from San Francisco and known as Grand Master Walter Brown.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8212,"children":8213},{},[8214],{"type":38,"value":8215},"Walter Brown was good at chess and he would go around sharing the game and playing in the US championships. When Brown showed up, Dewain decided to give him a challenge by playing with him.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8217,"children":8218},{},[8219],{"type":38,"value":8220},"Walter ended up winning 59 games from all the games played but lost two and drew two. Dewain, fortunately, got a draw from the six-time US champion who just played 60 people at the same time in that simultaneous exhibition.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8222,"children":8223},{},[8224],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":8225,"children":8226},{},[8227],{"type":38,"value":8228},"Benefits of chess playing",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8230,"children":8231},{},[8232],{"type":38,"value":8233},"According to Dewain, the following are some of the important benefits of playing chess game",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8235,"children":8236},{},[8237],{"type":38,"value":8238},"· Problem-solving",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8240,"children":8241},{},[8242],{"type":38,"value":8243},"· Critical thinking",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8245,"children":8246},{},[8247],{"type":38,"value":8248},"· Integration into math and other areas of the curriculum",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8250,"children":8251},{},[8252],{"type":38,"value":8253},"· Social-emotional development",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8255,"children":8256},{},[8257],{"type":38,"value":8258},"· Collaboration",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8260,"children":8261},{},[8262],{"type":38,"value":8263},"· Life-impacting skills",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8265,"children":8266},{},[8267],{"type":38,"value":8268},"· Win draw mindset",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8270,"children":8271},{},[8272],{"type":38,"value":8273},"· Respect",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8275,"children":8276},{},[8277],{"type":38,"value":8278},"From his personal experience as a chess player over many years, the most important benefit of chess playing is its ability to instil respect. That‘s because when a person takes out the time to play chess and learn regardless of whatever the outcome is, that shows a huge level of respect. After all, that person has to give up their time to play the game.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8280,"children":8281},{},[8282],{"type":38,"value":8283},"Again, meeting so many people who agree to share a positive learning experience means that you're sitting down with a huge amount of respect. That makes respect one of the most important benefits that result from the game of chess.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8285,"children":8286},{},[8287],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":8288,"children":8289},{},[8290],{"type":38,"value":8291},"Dewaine’s big accomplishment in the next 10 years in chess",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8293,"children":8294},{},[8295],{"type":38,"value":8296},"The most important idea according to Dewain is to provide college and university scholarships to many young people through chess.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8298,"children":8299},{},[8300],{"type":38,"value":8301},"He also thinks of partnering with donors and other friends to develop college scholarships that support the educational program and can give the kids an opportunity to value chess as a resource towards their college experience.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8303,"children":8304},{},[8305],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":8306,"children":8307},{},[8308],{"type":38,"value":8309},"Dewain’s advice to young people pursuing success in chess",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8311,"children":8312},{},[8313],{"type":38,"value":8314},"His greatest advice is that you need to involve more people by going out, meeting and greeting and showing them how you care. There are several educational opportunities and activities that chess provides when you involve more people.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8316,"children":8317},{},[8318],{"type":38,"value":8319},"Therefore, collaborate and use the power of WE as soon as possible. And Dewain loves to emphasize that chess is a game of humor, so it's better if you put a smile on everything you do.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8321,"children":8322},{},[8323],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8324,"children":8325},{},[8326],{"type":38,"value":8327},"Enjoy some pictures of Dewain embracing the humor in chess below!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8329,"children":8330},{},[8331,8335,8339,8343],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":8332,"children":8334},{"alt":8,"src":8333},"/uploads/image0.jpeg",[],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":8336,"children":8338},{"alt":8,"src":8337},"/uploads/img_1129.JPG",[],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":8340,"children":8342},{"alt":8,"src":8341},"/uploads/img_2345.JPG",[],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":8344,"children":8346},{"alt":8,"src":8345},"/uploads/img_2479.JPG",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8348,"children":8349},{},[8350],{"type":38,"value":8351},"Want to hear more of Dewain's story? Check out the full interview here:",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":8353,"children":8355},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":8354,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":7709,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/JIOyneaA42I",[],{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":8357},[],"content:blog:chess4life-spotlight-becoming-dean-of-scholastic-chess-and-playing-a-gm-in-chess-with-dewain-barber.md","blog/chess4life-spotlight-becoming-dean-of-scholastic-chess-and-playing-a-gm-in-chess-with-dewain-barber.md",{"_path":8361,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":8362,"description":8363,"tags":8364,"seo":8365,"thumbnail":8366,"header":8367,"post_date":8368,"summary":8369,"body":8370,"_type":845,"_id":8593,"_source":847,"_file":8594,"_extension":849},"/blog/spotlight-coaching-an-international-master-in-chess-and-chess-on-the-great-wall","Spotlight: Coaching An International Master In Chess And Chess On The Great Wall","At the age of 9, Dewain Barber was able to learn chess from his brother. They both had a unique and interesting experience of learning and playing chess together. He attended his high school in Arizona and given that his father was in the military, Dewain had the opportunity to move around the world.",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/img_1148.JPG",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-11-04T04:00:00.000Z","At the age of 9, Dewain Barber was able to learn chess from his brother. They both had a unique and interesting experience of learning and playing chess together. He attended his high school in Arizona and given that his father was in the military, Dewain had the opportunity to move around the world. When he finished high school, Dewain...",{"type":30,"children":8371,"toc":8591},[8372,8376,8381,8386,8391,8420,8425,8435,8440,8445,8450,8455,8460,8465,8473,8478,8492,8497,8505,8510,8515,8520,8525,8530,8538,8546,8551,8556],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8373,"children":8374},{},[8375],{"type":38,"value":8363},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8377,"children":8378},{},[8379],{"type":38,"value":8380},"When he finished high school, Dewain went to Northern Arizona University where he completed his master's degree in the teaching of history before landing his teaching job in the Buena Park school district. Having spent more than one year as a student in the same school, Dewain conveniently developed chess and the chess program.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8382,"children":8383},{},[8384],{"type":38,"value":8385},"Eventually, he could expand out and visit places within Los Angeles and California where he was able to meet many people who organized and played chess. That's when he had the decision to organize a tournament.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8387,"children":8388},{},[8389],{"type":38,"value":8390},"But even after his retirement, Dewain was able to return to school and start a chess club known as Games Club. At first, he offered all kinds of different games, and later gravitated toward chess where he saw a lot of academic opportunities.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8392,"children":8393},{},[8394,8396,8401,8402,8412,8413,8418],{"type":38,"value":8395},"Dewain himself studied ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":8397,"children":8398},{},[8399],{"type":38,"value":8400},"Ferguson's",{"type":38,"value":130},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":8403,"children":8406},{"href":8404,"rel":8405},"http://uschesstrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/chess-in-education-research-summary-by-robert-ferguson.pdf",[496],[8407],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":8408,"children":8409},{},[8410],{"type":38,"value":8411},"report",{"type":38,"value":130},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":8414,"children":8415},{},[8416],{"type":38,"value":8417},"on chess and learning",{"type":38,"value":8419},". Robert Ferguson, a professor, had written about this topic and he showed the connection about young people being able to accelerate their learning skills by having chess as an activity and as part of their life.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8421,"children":8422},{},[8423],{"type":38,"value":8424},"Dewain has literally invested his life in education with over 30 years in public school teaching, traveling the world, playing chess and using the game of chess as a vehicle for positive impact. His most memorable trip with the game of chess is when he took his junior high school to the nationals. To him, that was a hike.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8426,"children":8427},{},[8428,8430],{"type":38,"value":8429},"On their trip to the national Championships, Barber taught his student how to visualize the whole game which is one of the key benefits of the game of chess; ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":8431,"children":8432},{},[8433],{"type":38,"value":8434},"the ability to visualize and focus.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8436,"children":8437},{},[8438],{"type":38,"value":8439},"Having spent so much of his life in the classroom and used chess for such a long period. Barber used his experience to create his chess club. However, just before he had his chance to take one of their national championship trips, he discovered he couldn't just take the trip to represent the school since he was not a curriculum-based chess club.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8441,"children":8442},{},[8443],{"type":38,"value":8444},"Dewain had to go through the entire math curriculum and picked out 11 areas where chess matches up the ability to be a problem solver, the concentration and calculation and all other things that go into chess. Fortunately, his school became the first school in California to be legally curriculum based by the state of California and so he got his chance to take the trip.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8446,"children":8447},{},[8448],{"type":38,"value":8449},"Not only was Dewain able to map directly his chess skills with the curriculum but he could also apply the skills in his life problem-solving. The game of chess is all about decision-making and not a gambling activity.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8451,"children":8452},{},[8453],{"type":38,"value":8454},"With no dice and no cards, you need to understand that when you take out the possibility of what would show up. You need to make a plan, review and make that idea or that move as you consider the consequences. The consequence is so critical in the game of chess because it’s what gives it a higher value than so many other activities out there.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8456,"children":8457},{},[8458],{"type":38,"value":8459},"Although he is now retired from public school education, Dewain is still making a difference in the game of chess. With the shift at the national level, The US Chess Federation, a national organization is currently spending a lot more time and focus on chess education, schools and national championships get thousands and thousands of kids in a couple of years.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8461,"children":8462},{},[8463],{"type":38,"value":8464},"That has led to the creation of the Super-national with an average attendance of about 5,570 kids who show up to play chess. Besides, a lot of young people get tremendous opportunities to meet and greet and make lifetime friends, something Dewain has been so pleased to do.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8466,"children":8467},{},[8468],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":8469,"children":8470},{},[8471],{"type":38,"value":8472},"But what are the real benefits of playing chess?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8474,"children":8475},{},[8476],{"type":38,"value":8477},"One of the key benefits is that it brings people of very diverse backgrounds together. Personally, Dewain has traveled to 126 countries, visiting places not only as a tournament player.",{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":8479,"children":8480},{},[8481],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8482,"children":8483},{},[8484],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":8485,"children":8486},{},[8487],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8488,"children":8489},{},[8490],{"type":38,"value":8491},"“I realized I had something uncommon with every person who spoke French, Swahili, Chinese, Hindi... It didn't matter what they spoke, where they were from, what type of clothing they had because when we sat down, we spoke chess” Dewain Barber",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8493,"children":8494},{},[8495],{"type":38,"value":8496},"The other benefit is bringing differences to a common ground of understanding collaboration through bridging barriers. Through chess, we can break down barriers between cultures without even having to learn their language because of that common language of plain chess.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8498,"children":8499},{},[8500],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8501,"children":8502},{},[8503],{"type":38,"value":8504},"“I've had the wonderful experience of a couple of times playing different opponents from different countries where neither one of us knew a single word of each other's language yet we felt we understood each other because we played this game” Dewain Barber.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8506,"children":8507},{},[8508],{"type":38,"value":8509},"We can analyze that game just by hand gestures and talking about basically using sign language and that creates a beautiful memory for all the participants.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8511,"children":8512},{},[8513],{"type":38,"value":8514},"Dewain Barber has had students who eventually became masters. For example at the age of 5, Alex Wang began her journey to eventually become a national chess master. Alex got the opportunity to play in her chess tournament at the Great Wall, China.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8516,"children":8517},{},[8518],{"type":38,"value":8519},"As a kid, you don’t have to be brilliant in some subjects to do this. All you need is to train your mind to skillfully understand and answer the question, why, because through consistent practice and learning, you can develop that amazing ability. You need to foster a spirit of curiosity and of a desire to explore, learn and hear.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8521,"children":8522},{},[8523],{"type":38,"value":8524},"The mindset of growth is the willingness to explore what may in some cases feel dangerous because you're putting yourself on the line and going all in by yourself. Wherever you are and in whatever you do, don't stop considering opportunities.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8526,"children":8527},{},[8528],{"type":38,"value":8529},"Chess4Life founder and Spotlight host Elliott Neff had the opportunity to email Dewain a simple question: “What benefits or skills do you see chess help develop?” His quick response covers a number of key areas in life – in the full interview below you’ll discover a few more amazing outcomes he has experienced from the game of chess.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8531,"children":8532},{},[8533],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8534,"children":8535},{},[8536],{"type":38,"value":8537},"EN: What benefits or skills do you see chess help develop?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8539,"children":8540},{},[8541],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8542,"children":8543},{},[8544],{"type":38,"value":8545},"DB: Concentration, focus, making a plan, reviewing possible alternatives, decision-making, respect, mental calculations, resilience, reflection, intellectual development, concentration, and discipline.",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":8547,"children":8550},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":8548,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":8549,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/v1TFF1SYQuk","accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8552,"children":8553},{},[8554],{"type":38,"value":8555},"Bonus: Check out some of Dewain's travels around the world below!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8557,"children":8558},{},[8559,8563,8567,8571,8575,8579,8583,8587],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":8560,"children":8562},{"alt":8,"src":8561},"/uploads/img_0992.JPG",[],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":8564,"children":8566},{"alt":8,"src":8565},"/uploads/img_0995.JPG",[],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":8568,"children":8570},{"alt":8,"src":8569},"/uploads/img_1123.JPG",[],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":8572,"children":8574},{"alt":8,"src":8573},"/uploads/img_1237.JPG",[],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":8576,"children":8578},{"alt":8,"src":8577},"/uploads/img_1244.JPG",[],{"type":33,"tag":8580,"props":8581,"children":8582},"br",{},[],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":8584,"children":8586},{"alt":8,"src":8585},"/uploads/img_1442.JPG",[],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":8588,"children":8590},{"alt":8,"src":8589},"/uploads/india-chess.jpg",[],{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":8592},[],"content:blog:spotlight-coaching-an-international-master-in-chess-and-chess-on-the-great-wall.md","blog/spotlight-coaching-an-international-master-in-chess-and-chess-on-the-great-wall.md",{"_path":8596,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":8597,"description":8598,"tags":8599,"seo":8600,"thumbnail":8601,"header":8602,"post_date":8603,"summary":8604,"body":8605,"_type":845,"_id":8725,"_source":847,"_file":8726,"_extension":849},"/blog/spotlight-from-state-trooper-and-air-force-veteran-to-chess-coach","Spotlight: From State Trooper and Air Force Veteran to Chess Coach","If you looked up “serving others” in an encyclopedia you just might find a picture of Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson. Orrin is an Air Force veteran and a former state trooper who founded Be Someone, an organization that helps kids develop leadership and life skills through chess one move at a time.",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/ronwyatt_337_dsc08558-1-00000004.jpg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-10-28T04:00:00.000Z","If you looked up “serving others” in an encyclopedia you just might find a picture of Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson. Orrin is an Air Force veteran and a former state trooper who founded Be Someone, an organization that helps kids develop leadership and life skills through chess one move at a time.\n\nJust what inspired such a massive career change?...",{"type":30,"children":8606,"toc":8723},[8607,8621,8626,8631,8636,8641,8646,8719],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8608,"children":8609},{},[8610,8612,8619],{"type":38,"value":8611},"If you looked up “serving others” in an encyclopedia you just might find a picture of Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson. Orrin is an Air Force veteran and a former state trooper who founded ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":8613,"children":8616},{"href":8614,"rel":8615},"https://www.besomeone.org/",[496],[8617],{"type":38,"value":8618},"Be Someone",{"type":38,"value":8620},", an organization that helps kids develop leadership and life skills through chess one move at a time.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8622,"children":8623},{},[8624],{"type":38,"value":8625},"Just what inspired such a massive career change?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8627,"children":8628},{},[8629],{"type":38,"value":8630},"Orrin is a former gang member himself and he was exposed to many of the rough sides of society as a state trooper. He saw a need for further efforts to support character development in the children of underserved communities. Orrin believes that needs go unmet when concerned people fail to take action. He wanted to be part of the solution so he stepped forward and started Be Someone.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8632,"children":8633},{},[8634],{"type":38,"value":8635},"Be Someone is about much more than chess. Though chess is the vehicle by which material is delivered, Orrin’s underlying goal is to teach skills and develop character traits such as concentration, responsibility, self-esteem, problem solving, and discipline. Through Be Someone Orrin encourages kids to put “Brains Before Bullets” and to “think it out” instead of “shoot it out.”",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8637,"children":8638},{},[8639],{"type":38,"value":8640},"Orrin believes in his mission so much in part because he experienced the benefits of chess himself. The game of chess completely turned his life around. When Orrin was a teenager he was involved in a gang and getting into trouble. One day, a high school teacher pulled him aside and taught him how to play chess. Orrin describes chess as “addictive” and says that it transformed his life. Through chess he learned how to think strategically about his future and how to make every move count.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8642,"children":8643},{},[8644],{"type":38,"value":8645},"Now he teaches youth to “pause, ponder, pivot, and pray” before making a decision. Just like in chess, one move in life can have a huge impact. The vast majority of the time, your first try at something is not going to be your best one. The same is true with thinking: your first thought or idea is likely not your best one. In chess it is rare that you will win in chess if you always do the first move that pops into your head. Orrin uses this as a metaphor for life. If your first or immediate reaction to a situation is what you act on, you are not very likely to succeed.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8647,"children":8648},{},[8649,8651,8658,8660,8667,8669,8676,8677,8684,8685,8692,8693,8700,8701,8708,8710,8717],{"type":38,"value":8650},"At Chess4Life we completely agree with the potential for chess to teach children the life skills they need to succeed. You can learn more about Be Someone through this ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":8652,"children":8655},{"href":8653,"rel":8654},"https://youtu.be/AW_10_DPuHo",[496],[8656],{"type":38,"value":8657},"video",{"type":38,"value":8659}," or through this ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":8661,"children":8664},{"href":8662,"rel":8663},"https://youtu.be/tu9lf-78vTQ",[496],[8665],{"type":38,"value":8666},"Fox 5 interview",{"type":38,"value":8668},", this ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":8670,"children":8673},{"href":8671,"rel":8672},"https://youtu.be/IcBPAqKf1z0",[496],[8674],{"type":38,"value":8675},"Good Morning Washington feature",{"type":38,"value":8668},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":8678,"children":8681},{"href":8679,"rel":8680},"https://youtu.be/L0_bzpvU67E",[496],[8682],{"type":38,"value":8683},"ABC 7 interview",{"type":38,"value":8668},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":8686,"children":8689},{"href":8687,"rel":8688},"https://youtu.be/2938m9U-Wzk",[496],[8690],{"type":38,"value":8691},"News Channel 8 Washington D.C. feature",{"type":38,"value":8668},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":8694,"children":8697},{"href":8695,"rel":8696},"http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/herndon/air-force-veteran-brings-message-of-peace-positivity-and-purpose-to-herndon/522849882",[496],[8698],{"type":38,"value":8699},"CBS 9 interview",{"type":38,"value":8668},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":8702,"children":8705},{"href":8703,"rel":8704},"https://youtu.be/fb8tHQAHalA",[496],[8706],{"type":38,"value":8707},"CBS 46 Atlanta feature",{"type":38,"value":8709},", or this ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":8711,"children":8714},{"href":8712,"rel":8713},"https://youtu.be/Xrl86sd3G9A",[496],[8715],{"type":38,"value":8716},"DeKalb Schools TV 24 special",{"type":38,"value":8718},". Or, check out our full interview with Orrin on the Chess4Life Spotlight below!",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":8720,"children":8722},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":8721,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":8549,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/-r6Oz_8xYxc",[],{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":8724},[],"content:blog:spotlight-from-state-trooper-and-air-force-veteran-to-chess-coach.md","blog/spotlight-from-state-trooper-and-air-force-veteran-to-chess-coach.md",{"_path":8728,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":8729,"description":8730,"tags":8731,"seo":8732,"thumbnail":8733,"header":8734,"post_date":8735,"summary":8736,"body":8737,"_type":845,"_id":8897,"_source":847,"_file":8898,"_extension":849},"/blog/spotlight-breck-haining-on-parenting-and-chess","Spotlight: Breck Haining on Parenting and Chess","Breck Haining is the father of two children who participate in chess competitively. He learned from his father to play chess when he was 8 or 9 years old. Breck’s dad taught him how the pieces move and the general goal of the game. His brother got into learning tactics and Breck observed how much this improved his brother’s ability.",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/breck-karen-kyle-2022.jpg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-10-21T04:00:00.000Z","Breck Haining is the father of two children who participate in chess competitively. He learned from his father to play chess when he was 8 or 9 years old. Breck’s dad taught him how the pieces move and the general goal of the game. His brother got into learning tactics and Breck observed how much this improved his brother’s ability.\n\nYears later, Breck’s own son came home from school and asked to learn how to play chess. Breck saw a parenting opportunity: chess can be a tool for...",{"type":30,"children":8738,"toc":8895},[8739,8743,8748,8762,8770,8775,8780,8785,8797,8802,8806,8814,8822,8830,8841],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8740,"children":8741},{},[8742],{"type":38,"value":8730},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8744,"children":8745},{},[8746],{"type":38,"value":8747},"Years later, Breck’s own son came home from school and asked to learn how to play chess. Breck saw a parenting opportunity: chess can be a tool for so much more than chess itself.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8749,"children":8750},{},[8751,8753,8760],{"type":38,"value":8752},"Breck began his journey of teaching his children chess with intentionality. He knew teaching chess wasn’t just about chess. When he chose a book on tactics, he chose one by ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":8754,"children":8757},{"href":8755,"rel":8756},"https://susanpolgar.com/",[496],[8758],{"type":38,"value":8759},"Susan Polgar, the Women’s World Chess Champion",{"type":38,"value":8761},". He wanted to expose both his son and daughter to women in chess, as chess is historically and currently still a male-dominated sport. Additionally, Breck used Susan Polgar’s expertise to expose his children to international perspectives and cultures. Since Susan Polgar is from Hungary, he used this opportunity to have global conversations with his children.",{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":8763,"children":8764},{},[8765],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8766,"children":8767},{},[8768],{"type":38,"value":8769},"“Chess is about teaching.” -Breck Haining",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8771,"children":8772},{},[8773],{"type":38,"value":8774},"There are ample opportunities through the game of chess to instill values and build character in children. Much of parenting is all about just that: trying to develop values in your children that they can eventually hold themselves. Breck finds that sometimes the best tools are what your kids are interested in; if your kids are interested in chess, Breck identifies that chess is a particularly great tool.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8776,"children":8777},{},[8778],{"type":38,"value":8779},"For example, in casual play there may often be “kibitzing,” or when individuals who are observing the game make suggestions to the players about how to move their pieces. Breck shared how this has been a great opportunity for a life lesson with his kids.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8781,"children":8782},{},[8783],{"type":38,"value":8784},"Kibitzing can be a fun collaborative environment. However, some of the advice you get from kibitzing is really bad advice. You have to be able to see far enough to see how it is bad advice. In chess, this means you must be planning ahead to know that you don’t want to move your queen there even though someone said to. In life, this can be applied in settings such as: I don’t want to smoke that because it could have dangerous or negative consequences for me. An important life skill is to be able to evaluate and decide whether or not presented advice is a good choice. How do your kids handle ‘peer pressure’? Do they go along with the crowd or evaluate choices independently?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8786,"children":8787},{},[8788,8790,8795],{"type":38,"value":8789},"Breck highlights that there are many choices in life and some are better than others. Chess allows children to learn independence of thought and to recognize long-term impacts. Life skill benefits like those identified by Breck are why Chess4Life focuses on ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8791,"children":8792},{},[8793],{"type":38,"value":8794},"teaching life skills through chess",{"type":38,"value":8796},". Chess can be a fun platform to develop those essential skills and attitudes.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8798,"children":8799},{},[8800],{"type":38,"value":8801},"You don’t have to be an expert chess player for your children to experience the benefits of chess. Learn more in Breck’s full interview below!",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":8803,"children":8805},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":8804,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":8549,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/1xdEJ3vaZC8",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8807,"children":8808},{},[8809],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8810,"children":8811},{},[8812],{"type":38,"value":8813},"Fun fact: Breck also enjoys birdwatching! Here's his story about perseverance and the below:",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8815,"children":8816},{},[8817],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8818,"children":8819},{},[8820],{"type":38,"value":8821},"\"The photo “Breck birding 2021.jpg” is one my wife took when we were just starting out as birders. I had heard about a Snowy Owl being sited in Queen Anne (a neighborhood in Seattle). We didn’t know what we were doing but thought we would see if we could find it. Snowy Owls rarely appear in Washington. After an hour or so of looking, we found some art that someone had created depicting a Snowy Owl. I pretended to take a photo of it. We were ready to give up and were loading equipment into the car when a lady who lived in the neighborhood happened by. I commented that we had no luck finding the Snowy Owl. It turned out that she knew exactly where it was, not more than 50 feet away from where we had parked. Later in the day the owl moved to the top of someone’s roof. The photo “Snowy Owl 2021.jpg” is one I took that day.\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8823,"children":8824},{},[8825],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8826,"children":8827},{},[8828],{"type":38,"value":8829},"Just like in chess, patience and perseverance in birding can bring great rewards!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8831,"children":8832},{},[8833,8837],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":8834,"children":8836},{"alt":8,"src":8835},"/uploads/snowy-owl-2021.jpg",[],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":8838,"children":8840},{"alt":8,"src":8839},"/uploads/breck-birding-2021.jpg",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8842,"children":8843},{},[8844,8849,8850,8860,8861,8865,8866,8875,8880,8881,8891],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8845,"children":8846},{},[8847],{"type":38,"value":8848},"You can see more of his photos",{"type":38,"value":130},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":8851,"children":8854},{"href":8852,"rel":8853},"https://media.ebird.org/catalog?mediaType=photo&userId=USER2139498&view=grid",[496],[8855],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8856,"children":8857},{},[8858],{"type":38,"value":8859},"here",{"type":38,"value":130},{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8862,"children":8863},{},[8864],{"type":38,"value":1183},{"type":38,"value":130},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":8867,"children":8870},{"href":8868,"rel":8869},"https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&user_id=rckinglet21&verifiable=any",[496],[8871],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8872,"children":8873},{},[8874],{"type":38,"value":8859},{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8876,"children":8877},{},[8878],{"type":38,"value":8879},". You can also check out his",{"type":38,"value":130},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":8882,"children":8885},{"href":8883,"rel":8884},"https://www.breckhainingphotography.com/",[496],[8886],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8887,"children":8888},{},[8889],{"type":38,"value":8890},"website",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8892,"children":8893},{},[8894],{"type":38,"value":70},{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":8896},[],"content:blog:spotlight-breck-haining-on-parenting-and-chess.md","blog/spotlight-breck-haining-on-parenting-and-chess.md",{"_path":8900,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":8901,"description":8902,"tags":8903,"seo":8904,"thumbnail":8905,"header":8906,"post_date":8907,"summary":8908,"body":8909,"_type":845,"_id":8959,"_source":847,"_file":8960,"_extension":849},"/blog/spotlight-chess-bridging-the-gap-from-college-to-career-with-florian-helff","Spotlight: Chess Bridging the Gap from College to Career with Florian Helff","The transition from college to career can be a challenging time. Since the beginning of the pandemic it can be even more difficult for recent graduates to make the necessary connections to find employment. At the same time, the challenge of recruiting reliable workers has become an expensive and at times frustrating process for employers.",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/whatsapp-image-2022-09-28-at-9-10-04-pm-1.jpeg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-10-15T04:00:00.000Z","The transition from college to career can be a challenging time. Since the beginning of the pandemic it can be even more difficult for recent graduates to make the necessary connections to find employment. At the same time, the challenge of ...",{"type":30,"children":8910,"toc":8957},[8911,8915,8920,8925,8930,8935,8940,8945,8953],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8912,"children":8913},{},[8914],{"type":38,"value":8902},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8916,"children":8917},{},[8918],{"type":38,"value":8919},"Common interests are a great way to make connections with potential employers or employees – whether you went to the same college, came from the same hometown, or root for the same sports team. These connections provide an “in” from which to build a meaningful relationship. These genuine network connections can lead to the right-fit employees getting matched with the right-fit employers.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8921,"children":8922},{},[8923],{"type":38,"value":8924},"Chess is a shared interest that communicates unique strengths a player is likely to have. For example, a chess player who meets another chess player knows that person probably has practice at problem solving, planning, strategic thinking, extended focus, managing and allocating resources, and sportsmanship. What better way to connect with a potential employer or employee?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8926,"children":8927},{},[8928],{"type":38,"value":8929},"Florian Helff sees these advantages to chess and its practical application. Few people will grow up to have chess be their direct career path but many chess players can reap the benefits of chess in their careers.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8931,"children":8932},{},[8933],{"type":38,"value":8934},"Florian is involved in both collegiate and corporate chess organization, including hosting the PanAms and organizing collegiate chess scholarships, as well as Amazon’s corporate chess league. He is dedicated to bridging the gap between college and corporate chess players and creating opportunities for them to connect.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8936,"children":8937},{},[8938],{"type":38,"value":8939},"At events such as the PanAms, college chess players can meet with corporate chess players. While they share in their enjoyment of chess, these individuals can also exchange career ideas and advice. Recruiters have a special connection with people who are likely to be solid employees in their field. College students form the connections they need to obtain their first employment after graduation.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8941,"children":8942},{},[8943],{"type":38,"value":8944},"Chess is a platform for all kinds of growth opportunities. While we focus mainly on the development of children at Chess4Life, we are glad for partners like Florian who continue to bring the benefits of chess into young adulthood and adulthood.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8946,"children":8947},{},[8948],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":8949,"children":8950},{},[8951],{"type":38,"value":8952},"If you enjoyed this article, check out Florian’s full interview below!",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":8954,"children":8956},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":8955,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":8549,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/R58EMhmthGg",[],{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":8958},[],"content:blog:spotlight-chess-bridging-the-gap-from-college-to-career-with-florian-helff.md","blog/spotlight-chess-bridging-the-gap-from-college-to-career-with-florian-helff.md",{"_path":8962,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":8963,"description":8964,"tags":8965,"seo":8966,"thumbnail":8967,"header":8968,"post_date":8969,"summary":8970,"body":8971,"_type":845,"_id":9046,"_source":847,"_file":9047,"_extension":849},"/blog/spotlight-robert-katende-coach-of-the-queen-of-katwe","Spotlight: Robert Katende, Coach of the Queen of Katwe","What do you call the coach of a queen?",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/robertkatende2-1-1.jpg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-10-07T07:00:00.000Z","What do you call the coach of a queen?\n\nThis week’s Chess4Life Spotlight guest Robert Katende is just that. He was the coach of Phiona Mutesi, the “Queen of Katwe” (you can even see Robert in the Disney film!). Though...",{"type":30,"children":8972,"toc":9044},[8973,8977,8991,9005,9010,9015,9020,9032,9040],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8974,"children":8975},{},[8976],{"type":38,"value":8964},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8978,"children":8979},{},[8980,8982,8989],{"type":38,"value":8981},"This week’s Chess4Life Spotlight guest Robert Katende is just that. He was the coach of Phiona Mutesi, the “Queen of Katwe” (you can even see Robert in the ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":8983,"children":8986},{"href":8984,"rel":8985},"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4341582/",[496],[8987],{"type":38,"value":8988},"Disney film",{"type":38,"value":8990},"!). Though Phiona may be Robert’s most well-known student, he has impacted many other lives as well. His organization has helped over 25,000 children!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":8992,"children":8993},{},[8994,8996,9003],{"type":38,"value":8995},"Robert Katende was raised in the slums of Uganda. Despite the many obstacles he faced, he eventually made it to Kyambogo University where he studied civil engineering and began volunteering with Sports Outreach. Robert first reached out to kids through football (soccer) but transitioned to introducing and developing chess programs in the slums of Uganda, as well as in internally displaced people’s campuses. (You might remember how ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":8997,"children":9000},{"href":8998,"rel":8999},"https://chess4life.com/blog/spotlight-benjamin-mukumbya-from-african-slum-to-disney-movie-to-medical-profession",[496],[9001],{"type":38,"value":9002},"Benjamin Mukumbya’s mother saw that chess had more benefits than soccer",{"type":38,"value":9004}," – well, Robert is of the same mindset!)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9006,"children":9007},{},[9008],{"type":38,"value":9009},"Robert believes that “everyone has a seed of excellence that needs to be nurtured to harness their God-given abilities” and he believes that chess can help provide that nurturing. Robert and his team use chess as a platform to set kids on a meaningful life trajectory. Even having tangible goals (like chess goals) to dream for and work for can help these children tremendously in life.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9011,"children":9012},{},[9013],{"type":38,"value":9014},"Chess affords children the opportunity to develop the inner belief that they are problem solvers. This self-knowledge can give them the confidence to make it in life. Robert also sees the numerous academic benefits of chess and how it helps develop essential thinking skills. Overall, chess allows for the transformation of mindset, which Robert believes is one of the first steps in learning.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9016,"children":9017},{},[9018],{"type":38,"value":9019},"When Robert first brought chess to the slums of Uganda he had one chess board that he’d brought with him from college. The kids did not know what it was and had never even heard of chess. It was a new game in the entire community. Now his organization has impacted 25,000 lives and they are working to open a school that will educate 800 kids per year.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9021,"children":9022},{},[9023,9025,9031],{"type":38,"value":9024},"At this school, children will experience not only the benefits of chess, education, and vocational training but also food provision, basic medical care, psychosocial support, and mentoring. If you’d like to get involved or keep up with all Robert is doing, check out SOM Chess Academy ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9026,"children":9029},{"href":9027,"rel":9028},"http://www.somchessacademy.com/",[496],[9030],{"type":38,"value":8859},{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9033,"children":9034},{},[9035],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":9036,"children":9037},{},[9038],{"type":38,"value":9039},"Want to hear Robert’s full inspiring story? Check out the interview below!",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":9041,"children":9043},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":9042,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":8549,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/kYwTz-Q3KB0",[],{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":9045},[],"content:blog:spotlight-robert-katende-coach-of-the-queen-of-katwe.md","blog/spotlight-robert-katende-coach-of-the-queen-of-katwe.md",{"_path":9049,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":9050,"description":9051,"tags":9052,"seo":9053,"thumbnail":9054,"header":9055,"post_date":9056,"summary":9057,"body":9058,"_type":845,"_id":9103,"_source":847,"_file":9104,"_extension":849},"/blog/spotlight-how-dr.joe-castleberry-sees-a-connection-between-chess-and-his-faith","Spotlight: How Dr. Joe Castleberry Sees a Connection between Chess and His Faith","Dr. Joe Castleberry has lived an incredible life – he’s traveled and lived all over the world, had amazing educational opportunities, and became the president of a university despite being the first in his family to attend college.",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/jc-candid.jpg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-10-01T04:00:00.000Z","Dr. Joe Castleberry has lived an incredible life – he’s traveled and lived all over the world, had amazing educational opportunities, and became the president of a university despite being the first in his family to attend college.\n\nDr. Castleberry describes his life as like a chess match, but it might not be in the way you initially expect. He sees...",{"type":30,"children":9059,"toc":9101},[9060,9064,9069,9074,9079,9084,9089,9097],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9061,"children":9062},{},[9063],{"type":38,"value":9051},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9065,"children":9066},{},[9067],{"type":38,"value":9068},"Dr. Castleberry describes his life as like a chess match, but it might not be in the way you initially expect. He sees a connection between chess and his Christian faith. Dr. Castleberry shared that in his life it feels as though God is playing the chess match and that he is just a piece on the board. God makes a strategic plan and guides Dr. Castleberry as he goes.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9070,"children":9071},{},[9072],{"type":38,"value":9073},"From Dr. Castleberry’s perspective, God moves him as he was designed to move. Each move that Dr. Castleberry makes fits within his unique ability as a “specific chess piece.” For example, he experienced God as calling him to serve as the academic dean at the Assemblies of God Theological Center, a national seminary with a worldwide constituency. Dr. Castleberry was exactly the “chess piece” equipped for the move as he was just what the seminary hiring team was looking for. He had his doctorate, had a good list of publications, had teaching experience, had administrative experience, and had been an entrepreneur – all of which made him well suited to this role. This position eventually led him to his current role as president of Northwest University.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9075,"children":9076},{},[9077],{"type":38,"value":9078},"At the same time, other pieces who are the right fit for their own job are also being moved into just the right spot. Dr. Castleberry described feeling surrounded by a team of individuals all equipped to do their unique jobs. The overall plan moves smoothly because each individual is not moving willy-nilly on their own; they are being guided by God.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9080,"children":9081},{},[9082],{"type":38,"value":9083},"Along the way, Dr. Castleberry did not always know or understand the big picture. If we imagine chess pieces as having a mind, at some points in the game they probably wouldn’t understand why they were going where they were going either! Dr. Castleberry finds peace and comfort in his faith and his conceptualization of God as a great chess master.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9085,"children":9086},{},[9087],{"type":38,"value":9088},"Whether you are a member of the Christian faith or not, chess can have many unexpected benefits. From cognitive to socioemotional and even to spiritual, chess can influence us across many realms of life!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9090,"children":9091},{},[9092],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":9093,"children":9094},{},[9095],{"type":38,"value":9096},"Check out the full interview below:",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":9098,"children":9100},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":9099,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":8549,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/I-8HPqBh1Ik",[],{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":9102},[],"content:blog:spotlight-how-dr.joe-castleberry-sees-a-connection-between-chess-and-his-faith.md","blog/spotlight-how-dr.joe-castleberry-sees-a-connection-between-chess-and-his-faith.md",{"_path":9106,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":9107,"description":9108,"tags":9109,"seo":9110,"thumbnail":9111,"header":9112,"post_date":9113,"summary":9114,"body":9115,"_type":845,"_id":9236,"_source":847,"_file":9237,"_extension":849},"/blog/spotlight-filling-gaps-in-the-chess-world-with-randy-kaech","Spotlight: Filling Gaps in the Chess World with Randy Kaech","Randy Kaech once directed a tournament where Walter Browne, six time U.S. Champion, played. Knowing this fact from his adulthood, you might never guess he once had no idea there was a broader world of chess.",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/randy1.jpg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-09-23T04:00:00.000Z","Randy Kaech once directed a tournament where Walter Browne, six time U.S. Champion, played. Knowing this fact from his adulthood, you might never guess he once had no idea there was a broader world of chess.\n\nRandy grew up in a small town in a rural area of... ",{"type":30,"children":9116,"toc":9234},[9117,9121,9126,9131,9136,9141,9146,9151,9156,9161,9166,9171,9176,9180,9185,9189,9195,9203,9225],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9118,"children":9119},{},[9120],{"type":38,"value":9108},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9122,"children":9123},{},[9124],{"type":38,"value":9125},"Randy grew up in a small town in a rural area of Southwest Washington. As a child, he watched his uncle and his uncle’s Navy friends play chess. From watching them he figured out how the pieces move and eventually how checkmate works. His uncle and the Navy friends let him begin playing with them. Due to Randy’s rural location he quickly discovered that there was not much chess competition around.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9127,"children":9128},{},[9129],{"type":38,"value":9130},"In middle school, Randy played at a tournament at a local community college. The youngest player there, he won and then promptly quit chess because he thought there was “no one left to play.” He had no idea just how wide the chess scene was!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9132,"children":9133},{},[9134],{"type":38,"value":9135},"A few years later another uncle got Randy the Northwest Chess Magazine and his “chess circle” suddenly expanded. Once he got his driver’s license he would travel and an hour and a half to the Tacoma Chess Club for monthly tournaments. He organized a club for his rural area, identifying other people nearby who also played chess so they could commute together to leagues and tournaments.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9137,"children":9138},{},[9139],{"type":38,"value":9140},"As a kid, Randy did not have a lot of chess opportunities. This has made him passionate about rural chess. Throughout his life he has taken organizational initiative to meet needs wherever he sees them. He has served as a tournament director and chess club organizer and has maintained a special focus on rural areas so kids with backgrounds similar to his own can be exposed to the wide, wide world of chess.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9142,"children":9143},{},[9144],{"type":38,"value":9145},"Randy started out as a U.S. Chess Federation Tournament Director Status, Local Club Level and grew from there. After a long career in the business world, Randy has now spent the last year focused on chess organization. He’s volunteered countless hours to help kids and communities through the game of chess.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9147,"children":9148},{},[9149],{"type":38,"value":9150},"After years coaching chess, leading chess clubs, and organizing chess tournaments, Randy has learned a few important lessons. He believes it is important to “keep your eyes on the real prize” when coaching others in chess (or any other sport or activity). The chess skill and winning itself is great, but it is not the end goal. Instead, the development and socioemotional and cognitive benefits kids can gain through the game are the goal. Losing sight of this attitude may end up putting so much pressure on the kids that they end up hating chess!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9152,"children":9153},{},[9154],{"type":38,"value":9155},"Even when a child shows an abundance of talent and promise to the point where they could become a truly remarkable chess player with the right development, pursuing this may not be the best move. There are many things that child could do with their life – just because they have a knack for chess does not mean they have to chase it doggedly.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9157,"children":9158},{},[9159],{"type":38,"value":9160},"There are so many opportunities in life (and in chess) and one isn’t necessarily the “right” choice. Any time you say yes to one opportunity you are automatically saying no to something else, because our resources of time and energy are limited.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9162,"children":9163},{},[9164],{"type":38,"value":9165},"Randy recommends giving the child guidance and options so they can make their own choice about what to pursue and how much effort to dedicate to chess. Think about the long-term best benefit for each child when advising them. What role would chess play in their life? Help them make the choice consciously and intentionally instead of letting life happen to them. This is just like how in chess you must have a long term strategy and make choices to help you get there. To say yes to one move, you must say no to another. You need to know where you are going to help you make the immediate decision of where to focus your energy and resources.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9167,"children":9168},{},[9169],{"type":38,"value":9170},"Whether a child pursues chess to the Master level or just plays for fun without caring much about their rank, everyone can experience the benefits of chess. Randy is passionate about bringing these benefits to kids in rural areas. If you’re a member of a rural community who is looking to get involved, consider starting a chess club at your local school or library. You don’t have to be a chess expert to help kids learn life skills through chess! At Chess4Life we are ready to help chess club leaders of all ability levels with our chess curriculum as we all work together towards our goal of reaching one million children with the benefits of chess!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9172,"children":9173},{},[9174],{"type":38,"value":9175},"Check out the full interview below to learn more about how Randy started filling gaps in the chess world below.",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":9177,"children":9179},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":9178,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":8549,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/kiLAWk9jaOY",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9181,"children":9182},{},[9183],{"type":38,"value":9184},"-",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9186,"children":9187},{},[9188],{"type":38,"value":9184},{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":9190,"children":9194},{"src":9191,"width":9192,"height":9193,"frameBorder":7708},"https://lichess.org/embed/game/8mqtXiBR?theme=auto&bg=auto#0",600,397,[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9196,"children":9197},{},[9198],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":9199,"children":9200},{},[9201],{"type":38,"value":9202},"Fun fact, Randy loves other games too! He has competed in Scrabble and Settlers of Catan tournaments. He also used to sing and even was a DJ and delivered singing telegrams! If you’d like to see more of his work, check out these links to organizations he is involved with:",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9204,"children":9205},{},[9206],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":9207,"children":9208},{},[9209,9211,9217,9219],{"type":38,"value":9210},"NW Washington Scholastic Chess   ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9212,"children":9215},{"href":9213,"rel":9214},"http://northwestchess.info",[496],[9216],{"type":38,"value":9213},{"type":38,"value":9218},"\nWashington High School Chess Association  ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9220,"children":9223},{"href":9221,"rel":9222},"http://whsca.org/",[496],[9224],{"type":38,"value":9221},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9226,"children":9227},{},[9228],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":9229,"children":9230},{},[9231],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":9232,"children":9233},{"alt":8,"src":5994},[],{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":9235},[],"content:blog:spotlight-filling-gaps-in-the-chess-world-with-randy-kaech.md","blog/spotlight-filling-gaps-in-the-chess-world-with-randy-kaech.md",{"_path":9239,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":9240,"description":9241,"tags":9242,"seo":9243,"thumbnail":9244,"header":9245,"post_date":9246,"summary":9247,"body":9248,"_type":845,"_id":9322,"_source":847,"_file":9323,"_extension":849},"/blog/spotlight-chess-impacting-stem-careers-with-bruce-kovalsky","Spotlight: Chess Impacting STEM Careers with Bruce Kovalsky","It’s easy to see that Bruce Kovalsky has had a successful career in the STEM industry from even a quick glance at his resume. He’s been a senior manager and senior engineering specialist at places like Boeing and IBM and has now been taking a well earned sabbatical since July 2022.",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/bruce-in-heavenly.jpg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-09-16T04:00:00.000Z","It’s easy to see that Bruce Kovalsky has had a successful career in the STEM industry from even a quick glance at his resume. He’s been a senior manager and senior engineering specialist at places like Boeing and IBM and has now been taking...",{"type":30,"children":9249,"toc":9320},[9250,9254,9261,9266,9271,9276,9281,9286,9291,9296,9300,9305,9309],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9251,"children":9252},{},[9253],{"type":38,"value":9241},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9255,"children":9256},{},[9257],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":9258,"children":9260},{"alt":8,"src":9259},"/uploads/bk-pic.jpg",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9262,"children":9263},{},[9264],{"type":38,"value":9265},"His successful chess career is equally apparent. Bruce became a National Chess Master in 1984. He shared that he learned chess from his grandfather when he was five or six years old and started playing in chess tournaments in middle school with his older brother. In the beginning that sibling rivalry motivated Bruce to keep studying but even after he surpassed his brother he fell in love with the game and continued to play.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9267,"children":9268},{},[9269],{"type":38,"value":9270},"Bruce does all he can to support chess in his community. He has donated countless hours to teaching kids and helping parents through the game of chess. In 1997 he started a chess club at Sunny Hills Elementary which quickly launched with 20 to 25 students. After a few years, over 75 kids were coming – and Bruce was still the only coach there! He also later started a chess club at Pike Lake Middle School, and a private group chess class.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9272,"children":9273},{},[9274],{"type":38,"value":9275},"Bruce gets a lot of joy from teaching others chess. However, he also spends his time helping others learn chess because he believes in the benefits it can bring to their futures.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9277,"children":9278},{},[9279],{"type":38,"value":9280},"In his recent interview with Chess4Life founder Elliott Neff, Bruce highlighted two parallels he saw between his STEM career and playing chess.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9282,"children":9283},{},[9284],{"type":38,"value":9285},"Whether in chess or in a business project, you need to start with the end in mind. Each piece then builds on each other. If you are in Phase 2 of a project, sometimes you have to make decisions based on how Phase 3 will be affected. Bruce finds that the same is true in chess. For example, in the middle of a chess game, you may be careful how you move your pawns because while the pawns may not be as essential in that moment, your pawn structure can be very important at the end of the game. In this way, playing chess can help you practice the planning skills necessary for complex project management.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9287,"children":9288},{},[9289],{"type":38,"value":9290},"Bruce also sees STEM/chess parallels in how he hired new employees. Bruce stressed the importance of choosing people with diverse skills and thinking about how their skills and personalities will work together with others in your project team or business. He connected that in chess you need to know how your pieces work together; in business management you need to know how your people work together. Understanding how all your chess pieces work well together helps you imagine what hires will be a good fit for your team.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9292,"children":9293},{},[9294],{"type":38,"value":9295},"Bruce has many exciting stories from his STEM and chess careers. Check out the full interview below, where he even plays a speed match with Chess4Life founder (and National Master) Elliott Neff!",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":9297,"children":9299},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":9298,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":8549,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/VKDkuyaEx3g",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9301,"children":9302},{},[9303],{"type":38,"value":9304},"Bruce and Elliott's Live Chess Game!",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":9306,"children":9308},{"src":9307,"width":9192,"height":9193,"frameBorder":7708},"https://lichess.org/embed/game/KZ7dnDVy?theme=auto&bg=auto",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9310,"children":9311},{},[9312,9314],{"type":38,"value":9313},"You can connect with Bruce here: ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9315,"children":9318},{"href":9316,"rel":9317,"title":9316},"https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucekovalsky/",[496],[9319],{"type":38,"value":9316},{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":9321},[],"content:blog:spotlight-chess-impacting-stem-careers-with-bruce-kovalsky.md","blog/spotlight-chess-impacting-stem-careers-with-bruce-kovalsky.md",{"_path":9325,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":9326,"description":9327,"tags":9328,"seo":9329,"thumbnail":9330,"header":9331,"post_date":9332,"summary":9333,"body":9334,"_type":845,"_id":9421,"_source":847,"_file":9422,"_extension":849},"/blog/spotlight-chess-skills-as-successful-business-skills-with-jim-egerton","Spotlight: Chess Skills as Successful Business Skills with Jim Egerton","This week’s Spotlight guest is Jim Egerton, owner and founder of Business on the Board, a talent development company that accelerates employees’ mastery of critical business skills through the game of chess in the corporate world. Jim believes that chess leads to better thinking, better thinking leads to better decisions, and better decisions lead to better results. In fact, Jim wrote an article on six chess skills that increase tech company profits - you may be surprised by some of them!",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/humorous-speech-photo-01152019.png",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-09-09T04:00:00.000Z","This week’s Spotlight guest is Jim Egerton, owner and founder of Business on the Board, a talent development company that accelerates employees’ mastery of critical business skills through the game of chess in the corporate world. Jim believes that chess leads to better thinking, better thinking leads to better decisions, and better decisions lead to...",{"type":30,"children":9335,"toc":9419},[9336,9359,9364,9369,9374,9379,9384,9389,9394,9398,9403,9407,9412],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9337,"children":9338},{},[9339,9341,9348,9350,9357],{"type":38,"value":9340},"This week’s Spotlight guest is Jim Egerton, owner and founder of ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9342,"children":9345},{"href":9343,"rel":9344},"http://www.businessontheboard.com/",[496],[9346],{"type":38,"value":9347},"Business on the Board",{"type":38,"value":9349},", a talent development company that accelerates employees’ mastery of critical business skills through the game of chess in the corporate world. Jim believes that chess leads to better thinking, better thinking leads to better decisions, and better decisions lead to better results. In fact, Jim wrote an ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9351,"children":9354},{"href":9352,"rel":9353},"https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/6-remarkable-chess-skills-increase-tech-company-profits-jim-egerton/",[496],[9355],{"type":38,"value":9356},"article",{"type":38,"value":9358}," on six chess skills that increase tech company profits - you may be surprised by some of them!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9360,"children":9361},{},[9362],{"type":38,"value":9363},"Jim first started playing chess as a sophomore in high school in the western suburbs of Chicago and his interest developed quickly. Soon after, a chess coach approached him about starting a chess club (which is still around to this day!).",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9365,"children":9366},{},[9367],{"type":38,"value":9368},"After obtaining a mathematics degree and having a successful corporate career, Jim decided to start his own company, Business on the Board. Since he experienced the benefits of chess personally and the impact these benefits had on his career, he wanted to share them with others.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9370,"children":9371},{},[9372],{"type":38,"value":9373},"For instance, Jim explains how learning chess can teach important leadership skills like delegation. In chess, you manage a “team” of pieces: eight pawns, two bishops, two knights, two rooks, one queen, and one king. Each piece must thoughtfully be assigned its own tasks that fit with its abilities in order to accomplish your bigger goal.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9375,"children":9376},{},[9377],{"type":38,"value":9378},"At the same time, an opponent is moving against you and impacting your strategy. Some of your pieces must be delegated towards stopping a threat while you maintain the majority of pieces for pursuing your overarching goal. Such skills are essential to successful business management. It is much simpler to learn and practice them on the chess board, where the most a mistake will cost you is the game, than to develop them through making costly business errors.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9380,"children":9381},{},[9382],{"type":38,"value":9383},"Skills like these can have not only great career benefits but also benefits to general life skills as well. Some may feel intimidated by the thought of becoming an expert at chess, or maybe you do not want chess to be your thing forever.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9385,"children":9386},{},[9387],{"type":38,"value":9388},"Jim shares that this is okay! You do not need to be an expert to experience the benefits of chess. Whether you are a child or an adult, you do not need to play forever either. Even after kids and adults stop playing chess, they carry forward skills that leaders need and businesses want.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9390,"children":9391},{},[9392],{"type":38,"value":9393},"Therefore, whether it is just for now or for a lifetime, playing some chess is worth your time!",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":9395,"children":9397},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":9396,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":8549,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/ed3hDDt_2Vs",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9399,"children":9400},{},[9401],{"type":38,"value":9402},"Elliott and Jim's Live Chess Game:",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":9404,"children":9406},{"src":9405,"width":9192,"height":9193,"frameBorder":7708},"https://lichess.org/embed/game/uqJIDqjp?theme=auto&bg=auto#62",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9408,"children":9409},{},[9410],{"type":38,"value":9411},"Jim's Training at Amazon:",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9413,"children":9414},{},[9415],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":9416,"children":9418},{"alt":8,"src":9417},"/uploads/jimegerton-amazon.jpg",[],{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":9420},[],"content:blog:spotlight-chess-skills-as-successful-business-skills-with-jim-egerton.md","blog/spotlight-chess-skills-as-successful-business-skills-with-jim-egerton.md",{"_path":9424,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":9425,"description":9426,"tags":9427,"seo":9428,"thumbnail":9431,"header":9432,"post_date":9433,"summary":9434,"body":9435,"_type":845,"_id":9642,"_source":847,"_file":9643,"_extension":849},"/blog/spotlight-parenting-through-chess-with-ken-lee","Spotlight: Parenting Through Chess with Ken Lee","You may have seen our recent interview with 14-year-old Christos Boulis where we explored the benefits of chess from the perspective of a student. What benefits of chess are seen from the eyes of a parent?",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":9429,"description_tag":9430},"Parenting Through Chess with Ken Lee","Kids can learn how to build a growth mindset through chess.","/uploads/ken-lee-photo.jpeg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-09-02T04:00:00.000Z","You may have seen our recent interview with 14-year-old Christos Boulis where we explored the benefits of chess from the perspective of a student. What benefits of chess are seen from the eyes of a parent?\n\nKen Lee is Vice President of Michael Wiese Productions, the number one publisher in the world for books for indie filmmakers and writers. One evening during family movie night, Ken decided...",{"type":30,"children":9436,"toc":9640},[9437,9460,9465,9470,9478,9483,9491,9505,9510,9515,9520,9525,9530,9534,9541,9548,9556,9561,9570,9575,9584,9589,9598,9603,9612,9617,9626,9631],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9438,"children":9439},{},[9440,9442,9449,9451,9458],{"type":38,"value":9441},"You may have seen our ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9443,"children":9446},{"href":9444,"rel":9445},"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSbtpCztZgM",[496],[9447],{"type":38,"value":9448},"recent interview",{"type":38,"value":9450}," with 14-year-old Christos Boulis where we explored the benefits of chess from the ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9452,"children":9455},{"href":9453,"rel":9454},"https://chess4life.com/blog/spotlight-chess4life-student-christos-boulis",[496],[9456],{"type":38,"value":9457},"perspective of a student",{"type":38,"value":9459},". What benefits of chess are seen from the eyes of a parent?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9461,"children":9462},{},[9463],{"type":38,"value":9464},"Ken Lee is Vice President of Michael Wiese Productions, the number one publisher in the world for books for indie filmmakers and writers. One evening during family movie night, Ken decided to select “Searching for Bobby Fischer” as his movie choice. When the movie ended, his 10-year-old son promptly informed him how boring he found the movie - and that he had taught himself chess!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9466,"children":9467},{},[9468],{"type":38,"value":9469},"After decades without playing a chess game, this movie night began Ken’s journey of re-learning to play chess so that he could play with his son. Ken’s son began taking online premium classes at Chess4Life and soon after Ken realized how much the game of chess lined up with the values he was trying to instill in his son as a parent.",{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":9471,"children":9472},{},[9473],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9474,"children":9475},{},[9476],{"type":38,"value":9477},"“Growth mindset, success principles, healthy habits… these would help someone wherever they go in life.” -Ken Lee, on the benefits of chess for kids",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9479,"children":9480},{},[9481],{"type":38,"value":9482},"Being a member of the publishing industry, Ken naturally turned to research for more knowledge about the benefits of chess. He quickly learned about benefits such as grit and persistence, as well as cognitive benefits such as increased executive skills.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9484,"children":9485},{},[9486],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":9487,"children":9488},{},[9489],{"type":38,"value":9490},"Interpersonal Benefits",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9492,"children":9493},{},[9494,9496,9503],{"type":38,"value":9495},"As Ken writes in his ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9497,"children":9500},{"href":9498,"rel":9499},"https://www.thefutureofstory.com/essays/ken-lee-on-the-ever-shrinking-world",[496],[9501],{"type":38,"value":9502},"recent blog post",{"type":38,"value":9504},", since the beginning of the pandemic, fostering “connection” with others has seemed to require greater amounts of creativity. He has found that playing chess leads to unexpected connections. Suddenly you may learn that an uncle plays, or a neighbor plays, or a friend you have not chatted with in a long time. Ken even has a dream of just setting up a chess board and playing chess with a stranger in Spain. He believes that like music, chess has the ability to unite across cultures and language barriers.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9506,"children":9507},{},[9508],{"type":38,"value":9509},"Chess has certainly afforded Ken greater opportunities for connection with his son. Not only does chess provide a consistent touchpoint for them to spend quality time together, but it also creates openings for unique and healthy parent-child interactions.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9511,"children":9512},{},[9513],{"type":38,"value":9514},"Part of socioemotional development as children grow is learning to be more independent and growing into their own personhood. A necessary part of this process is separating slowly from the notion that parents are the all-knowing source of all things. A three-year-old girl may view her mother as Wonder Woman, but it would not be healthy for a seventeen-year-old girl to view her mother in that same way. As kids grow they begin to see their parent’s flaws and limitations and that’s a good thing. At the same time that they are realizing their parents do not know and cannot do absolutely everything, they are learning and growing in what they themselves are capable of.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9516,"children":9517},{},[9518],{"type":38,"value":9519},"This can be an uncomfortable part of growth and opportunities where it feels genuinely fun are rare. Ken and his son have stumbled upon one such opportunity as Ken’s son often coaches Ken on what to do (or not do!) in chess. “Dad, you might want to rethink that move…”",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9521,"children":9522},{},[9523],{"type":38,"value":9524},"These little moments may seem small but are fun opportunities for Ken’s son to stretch his independence and learning, and for Ken to watch his son grow. So if you’re a parent who, like Ken, needed to be reminded of the difference between a rook and a knight in order to play with your child, do not be intimidated! You do not need to know much about chess at all for your child to gain great life skills through playing with you.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9526,"children":9527},{},[9528],{"type":38,"value":9529},"Now Ken and his son love chess so much that they brought the game along while hiking just so they could play during breaks and have even played in Maui, Hawaii. As Ken says, you can play chess anywhere! He has his own chess goals too in order to keep expanding his growth mindset, one of which was to beat the chess.com bot at 1200. He achieved this goal in a fun way when he beat Santa – check it out and his full interview below!",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":9531,"children":9533},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":9532,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":8549,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/U8zCeSb0QWk",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9535,"children":9536},{},[9537],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":9538,"children":9540},{"alt":8,"src":9539},"/uploads/chess-santa.png",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9542,"children":9543},{},[9544],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":9545,"children":9547},{"alt":8,"src":9546},"/uploads/chess-in-maui.jpg",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9549,"children":9550},{},[9551],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":9552,"children":9553},{},[9554],{"type":38,"value":9555},"Check out the following helpful links!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9557,"children":9558},{},[9559],{"type":38,"value":9560},"a) The Writer’s Journey 25th anniversary edition by Christopher Vogler",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9562,"children":9563},{},[9564],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9565,"children":9568},{"href":9566,"rel":9567,"title":9566},"https://mwp.com/product/writers-journey-25th-anniversary-edition-mythic-structure-writers/",[496],[9569],{"type":38,"value":9566},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9571,"children":9572},{},[9573],{"type":38,"value":9574},"b) Grit by Angela Duckworth",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9576,"children":9577},{},[9578],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9579,"children":9582},{"href":9580,"rel":9581,"title":9580},"https://www.amazon.com/Grit-Angela-Duckworth-audiobook/dp/B01D3AC5VU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GW1RXGOU5LAO&keywords=grit+angela+duckworth&qid=1663251197&sprefix=grit+%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-1",[496],[9583],{"type":38,"value":9580},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9585,"children":9586},{},[9587],{"type":38,"value":9588},"c) The Power of Habit by Duhigg",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9590,"children":9591},{},[9592],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9593,"children":9596},{"href":9594,"rel":9595,"title":9594},"https://www.amazon.com/The-Power-of-Habit-Charles-Duhigg-audiobook/dp/B007EJSMC8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32IWYFMHO41EY&keywords=the+power+of+habit+by+charles+duhigg&qid=1663251226&s=audible&sprefix=the+power+of+habit+%2Caudible%2C122&sr=1-1",[496],[9597],{"type":38,"value":9594},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9599,"children":9600},{},[9601],{"type":38,"value":9602},"c) Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9604,"children":9605},{},[9606],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9607,"children":9610},{"href":9608,"rel":9609,"title":9608},"https://www.amazon.com/Smart-but-Scattered-audiobook/dp/B008TJTSCA/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2BBR1R1D7UB8L&keywords=smart+but+scattered&qid=1663251284&s=audible&sprefix=smart+but+scattered%2Caudible%2C117&sr=1-2",[496],[9611],{"type":38,"value":9608},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9613,"children":9614},{},[9615],{"type":38,"value":9616},"d) The Art of Screentime: How your Family Can Balance Digital Media and Real Life by Anya Kamenetz",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9618,"children":9619},{},[9620],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9621,"children":9624},{"href":9622,"rel":9623,"title":9622},"https://www.amazon.com/The-Art-of-Screen-Time-audiobook/dp/B0792JRHB6/ref=sr_1_2?crid=36AEPX9BAA0FQ&keywords=anya+kamenetz&qid=1663251338&s=audible&sprefix=anya+kame%2Caudible%2C116&sr=1-2",[496],[9625],{"type":38,"value":9622},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9627,"children":9628},{},[9629],{"type":38,"value":9630},"e) Parenting in the Screen Age by Delaney Ruston",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9632,"children":9633},{},[9634],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9635,"children":9638},{"href":9636,"rel":9637,"title":9636},"https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Screen-Age-Guide-Conversations/dp/1735639605/ref=sr_1_7?crid=TNPG5B9PS7QU&keywords=screenagers&qid=1663251413&s=audible&sprefix=screenagers%2Caudible%2C118&sr=1-7-catcorr",[496],[9639],{"type":38,"value":9636},{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":9641},[],"content:blog:spotlight-parenting-through-chess-with-ken-lee.md","blog/spotlight-parenting-through-chess-with-ken-lee.md",{"_path":9645,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":9646,"description":9647,"tags":9648,"seo":9649,"thumbnail":9650,"header":9651,"post_date":9652,"summary":9653,"body":9654,"_type":845,"_id":9738,"_source":847,"_file":9739,"_extension":849},"/blog/spotlight-chess4life-student-christos-boulis","Spotlight: Chess4Life Student Christos Boulis","At Chess4Life we believe that chess has great potential to teach kids life skills. Children can benefit from far more than just enjoying the game by learning to play. Instead of having you take our word for it, we decided to go straight to the kids and see what they think!",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/c4l-logo-circle.jpg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-08-26T04:00:00.000Z","At Chess4Life we believe that chess has great potential to teach kids life skills. Children can benefit from far more than just enjoying the game by learning to play. Instead of having you take our word for it, we decided to go straight to the kids and see what they think!\n\nThis week’s Spotlight features Christos Boulis, a 14-year-old student of Chess4Life. Christos has achieved remarkable chess growth in a short amount of time and has a big goal of achieving Master level before he turns 18.\n\nWe asked Christos what...",{"type":30,"children":9655,"toc":9736},[9656,9660,9665,9670,9678,9683,9688,9696,9701,9709,9714,9722,9727,9732],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9657,"children":9658},{},[9659],{"type":38,"value":9647},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9661,"children":9662},{},[9663],{"type":38,"value":9664},"This week’s Spotlight features Christos Boulis, a 14-year-old student of Chess4Life. Christos has achieved remarkable chess growth in a short amount of time and has a big goal of achieving Master level before he turns 18.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9666,"children":9667},{},[9668],{"type":38,"value":9669},"We asked Christos what benefits he personally has seen from learning the game of chess. Below are a few of the benefits he identified:",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9671,"children":9672},{},[9673],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":9674,"children":9675},{},[9676],{"type":38,"value":9677},"Focus",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9679,"children":9680},{},[9681],{"type":38,"value":9682},"Christos stated that he feels chess has greatly improved his focus. Chess games can be long and require a great deal of sustained focus to be successful. Additionally, exercising the “muscle” of focus is necessary to study and practice to get good at chess.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9684,"children":9685},{},[9686],{"type":38,"value":9687},"Christos feels that chess has improved his focus and that this has allowed him to slow down and do a good job with his work in school. He described that he used to rush through tasks but now he takes his time to make sure he is doing it right. That is no longer difficult for Christos because his focus is so strong!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9689,"children":9690},{},[9691],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":9692,"children":9693},{},[9694],{"type":38,"value":9695},"Healthy Habits",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9697,"children":9698},{},[9699],{"type":38,"value":9700},"Christos identified that learning chess has helped him develop healthy habits. Chess takes discipline, especially if you want to achieve a goal as big as Christos’. Christos has learned how to set aside time and dedicate to practice, even when he might not feel like it. He said that these healthy habits have really helped him with getting work done at school.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9702,"children":9703},{},[9704],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":9705,"children":9706},{},[9707],{"type":38,"value":9708},"Use of Time",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9710,"children":9711},{},[9712],{"type":38,"value":9713},"Many kids and teenagers in the modern age spend a lot of time on social media. Christos feels that chess is a better use of his time. He said that when he is bored and has nothing to do, he would rather play an online chess game than scroll through social media and he wishes more kids would do the same.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9715,"children":9716},{},[9717],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":9718,"children":9719},{},[9720],{"type":38,"value":9721},"Math Skills",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9723,"children":9724},{},[9725],{"type":38,"value":9726},"Christos loves math. He feels that learning chess has really benefited his math skills too. Christos stated that he noticed his pattern recognition skills improving as he learned chess. He feels this will one day help him with the SAT.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9728,"children":9729},{},[9730],{"type":38,"value":9731},"So there you have it, straight from the source! Helping kids learn chess is about much more than the game itself. Check out Christos’ full interview below, which includes a speed match with Chess4Life founder Elliott Neff!",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":9733,"children":9735},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":9734,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":8549,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/nSbtpCztZgM",[],{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":9737},[],"content:blog:spotlight-chess4life-student-christos-boulis.md","blog/spotlight-chess4life-student-christos-boulis.md",{"_path":9741,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":9742,"description":9743,"tags":9744,"seo":9745,"thumbnail":9746,"header":9747,"post_date":9748,"summary":9749,"body":9750,"_type":845,"_id":9875,"_source":847,"_file":9876,"_extension":849},"/blog/spotlight-supporting-women-in-chess-with-ashley-priore","Spotlight: Supporting Women in Chess with Ashley Priore","She played her first chess game at 4 and started her first non-profit at 14… does this sound like a child prodigy to you? Us too!",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/dominique-murray-photoshoot-17.jpg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-08-19T15:00:00.000Z","She played her first chess game at 4 and started her first non-profit at 14… does this sound like a child prodigy to you? Us too!\n\nWhen Ashley Priore sees a problem, she jumps right in and does what she can to solve it. Her story with chess has a complexity many girls and women may face in the chess world. Chess helped Ashley develop the life skills she...",{"type":30,"children":9751,"toc":9873},[9752,9756,9770,9775,9780,9785,9790,9795,9816,9821,9826,9831,9845,9850,9854,9858,9865],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9753,"children":9754},{},[9755],{"type":38,"value":9743},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9757,"children":9758},{},[9759,9761,9768],{"type":38,"value":9760},"When ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9762,"children":9765},{"href":9763,"rel":9764},"https://twitter.com/priore_ashley",[496],[9766],{"type":38,"value":9767},"Ashley Priore",{"type":38,"value":9769}," sees a problem, she jumps right in and does what she can to solve it. Her story with chess has a complexity many girls and women may face in the chess world. Chess helped Ashley develop the life skills she used to start a successful non-profit at such a young age, but it also introduced her to the need for that non-profit.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9771,"children":9772},{},[9773],{"type":38,"value":9774},"Ashley first got into competitive chess with her two brothers and her sister. She quickly fell in love with the game and enjoyed attending her local competitions. However, Ashley and her sister would frequently find themselves in a scenario where there were 300 kids at the tournament and they were the only two girls.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9776,"children":9777},{},[9778],{"type":38,"value":9779},"Ashley and her sister quickly amassed a large collection of pink trophies at their house. At every competition they would attend, they would earn a “Top Girl” trophy. Not only were these trophies stereotypical in what they assumed girls enjoyed (i.e., being pink) but they also ended up singling Ashley and her sister out.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9781,"children":9782},{},[9783],{"type":38,"value":9784},"Reflecting on her childhood chess experiences, Ashley believes the “Top Girl” trophies hindered her development rather than helped it. She acknowledged that these trophies helped the first couple of times because it builds confidence to win a trophy in your early tournaments, but this perhaps could have been more effectively accomplished through a “First Tournament” award. Ultimately, Ashley and her sister felt that they were being praised just for being a girl and not for their skills in the game of chess despite the fact that they consistently won trophies in other categories as well.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9786,"children":9787},{},[9788],{"type":38,"value":9789},"The existence of a “Top Girl” trophy in the absence of a “Top Boy” trophy can amplify girls’ sense of a lack of belonging. It highlights and calls attention to “hey look, you’re so unusual for playing chess as a girl that we will reward you for just showing up!” which can make girls feel more different than welcome. It can also imply that boys are “normal” chess players while girls need the qualifier of their gender.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9791,"children":9792},{},[9793],{"type":38,"value":9794},"The struggles girls like Ashley face extend beyond the issue of “Top Girl” trophies. Ashley also noticed at a young age that she did not know or see any chess players who looked like her which made it difficult for her to imagine herself in that role. People may also often assume that girls are not interested in chess. Due to the small number of girls involved in chess in the United States, girls may also struggle to access resources. For example, a young girl new to the game who goes to a chess club for the first time may be intimidated or made uncomfortable by being the only girl in the room.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9796,"children":9797},{},[9798,9800,9807,9809,9814],{"type":38,"value":9799},"Large gender gaps in chess participation persist to this day. A ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9801,"children":9804},{"href":9802,"rel":9803},"https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Allon-Vishkin/publication/357759697_Queen%27s_Gambit_Declined_The_Gender-Equality_Paradox_in_Chess_Participation_Across_160_Countries/links/620a6bf287866404a1697e9d/Queens-Gambit-Declined-The-Gender-Equality-Paradox-in-Chess-Participation-Across-160-Countries.pdf",[496],[9805],{"type":38,"value":9806},"recent psychological study",{"type":38,"value":9808}," by Allon Vishkin (2022) found that the gender-equality paradox exists within the game of chess. The gender-equality paradox describes the surprising phenomenon in which gender differences are higher in societies with ",{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":9810,"children":9811},{},[9812],{"type":38,"value":9813},"more",{"type":38,"value":9815}," gender equality. It is a finding that has mostly been discussed within STEM fields but has now been found within chess as well. Essentially, despite efforts in countries like the United States towards gender equity, far more men play chess than women. However, when it comes to chess Vishkin’s findings “reveal that countries with more active younger generations have more equal representation of female players” (Vishkin, 2022, p. 283).",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9817,"children":9818},{},[9819],{"type":38,"value":9820},"We believe that a big part of what is leading younger generations to have more even numbers of girl and boy players is due to efforts of people like Ashley.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9822,"children":9823},{},[9824],{"type":38,"value":9825},"Long before the show the Queen’s Gambit Ashley began (at the age of 14!) her non-profit with the same name. The Queen’s Gambit focuses on empowering women and girls in chess whether or not they want to go into competitive chess.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9827,"children":9828},{},[9829],{"type":38,"value":9830},"Ashley believes that chess has a miriadof socioemotional and cognitive life skill benefits, and she wants girls to have unhindered equal access to these benefits. For example, chess can make players move empathetic by training them to look at both sides of a situation. Or, it can build problem solving and the ability to weigh the consequences of actions. Or, it can develop leadership skills as players think through the unique abilities of each piece and learn to fit them together for an effective team.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9832,"children":9833},{},[9834,9836,9843],{"type":38,"value":9835},"At Chess4Life we hope to see more and more girls benefitting from the life skills that can be learned from the game of chess. We’re grateful for the work of people like Ashley at ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9837,"children":9840},{"href":9838,"rel":9839},"https://www.tqgchess.institute/",[496],[9841],{"type":38,"value":9842},"Queens Gambit",{"type":38,"value":9844}," leading the way. Working towards greater equality in chess will take all of us. Just like in chess where each piece has a unique ability on the board, all of us (no matter how young or old) have a unique strength we can offer to the pursuit of gender equality in chess.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9846,"children":9847},{},[9848],{"type":38,"value":9849},"If you’d like to hear more of Ashley’s incredible and inspiring story, check out the full interview below! And as a bonus, keep scrolling for a chess match between Ashley and Chess4Life founder Elliott Neff, and to see a screenshot of Ashley’s very first chess game at 4 years old.",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":9851,"children":9853},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":9852,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":8549,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vo7elgpwNY0",[],{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":9855,"children":9857},{"src":9856,"width":9192,"height":9193,"frameBorder":7708},"https://lichess.org/embed/game/cpgqCRJ0?theme=auto&bg=auto",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9859,"children":9860},{},[9861],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":9862,"children":9864},{"alt":8,"src":9863},"/uploads/screen-shot-2022-08-19-at-4-23-37-pm.png",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9866,"children":9867},{},[9868],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":9869,"children":9870},{},[9871],{"type":38,"value":9872},"Source: Vishkin, A. (2022). Queen’s Gambit Declined: The Gender-Equality Paradox in Chess Participation Across 160 Countries. Psychological Science, 33(2), 276-284.",{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":9874},[],"content:blog:spotlight-supporting-women-in-chess-with-ashley-priore.md","blog/spotlight-supporting-women-in-chess-with-ashley-priore.md",{"_path":9878,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":9879,"description":9880,"tags":9881,"seo":9882,"thumbnail":9883,"header":9884,"post_date":9885,"summary":9886,"body":9887,"_type":845,"_id":9998,"_source":847,"_file":9999,"_extension":849},"/blog/spotlight-bryan-heathman-what-do-book-writing-and-chess-have-in-common","Spotlight: Bryan Heathman, What Do Book Writing and Chess Have in Common?","If you were able to tune into Chess4Life’s Spotlight last week, you heard the story of how Kyle Haining’s chess mastery helped him in his coding career. Well, what about book writing? Can a game that is played mostly in silence have an impact on our ability to use the written word?",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/bryanheat-1.jpg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-08-12T04:00:00.000Z","If you were able to tune into Chess4Life’s Spotlight last week, you heard the story of how Kyle Haining’s chess mastery helped him in his coding career. Well, what about book writing? Can a game that is played mostly in silence have...",{"type":30,"children":9888,"toc":9996},[9889,9903,9926,9934,9939,9944,9949,9957,9962,9967,9972,9977,9982,9987,9992],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9890,"children":9891},{},[9892,9894,9901],{"type":38,"value":9893},"If you were able to tune into Chess4Life’s Spotlight ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9895,"children":9898},{"href":9896,"rel":9897},"https://chess4life.com/blog/spotlight-kyle-haining-from-chess-national-master-to-computer-coder",[496],[9899],{"type":38,"value":9900},"last week",{"type":38,"value":9902},", you heard the story of how Kyle Haining’s chess mastery helped him in his coding career. Well, what about book writing? Can a game that is played mostly in silence have an impact on our ability to use the written word?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9904,"children":9905},{},[9906,9908,9915,9917,9924],{"type":38,"value":9907},"This week’s guest Bryan Heathman, author, publisher, and founder of ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9909,"children":9912},{"href":9910,"rel":9911},"https://www.madeforsuccess.com/blog/",[496],[9913],{"type":38,"value":9914},"Made for Success Publishing",{"type":38,"value":9916}," discusses the parallels between authorship and chess with Chess4Life founder Elliott Neff. Bryan was Elliott’s publisher and coach for his book, ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":9918,"children":9921},{"href":9919,"rel":9920},"https://apawnsjourney.elliottneff.com/",[496],[9922],{"type":38,"value":9923},"A Pawn’s Journey",{"type":38,"value":9925},"!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9927,"children":9928},{},[9929],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":9930,"children":9931},{},[9932],{"type":38,"value":9933},"Flexibility",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9935,"children":9936},{},[9937],{"type":38,"value":9938},"Bryan highlighted that a key skill in the publishing industry is the ability to remain nimble. The landscape of publishing is constantly evolving - for example, the popularity of ebooks has expanded rapidly in recent years. Publishers must be ready to adapt to these new changes.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9940,"children":9941},{},[9942],{"type":38,"value":9943},"This is similar to chess in which plans must be continuously updated based on the opponent’s moves. To be great at chess you must be comfortable with flexibility. Decision making in chess happens in a fluid environment. As the board around you changes, so must your plan. You have many possible directions you can choose from and at every turn you can consider modifications as you move toward your goal.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9945,"children":9946},{},[9947],{"type":38,"value":9948},"Learning chess, whether as a child or later in life, could set you up in a future career to be more prepared than your peers to remain nimble. If the circumstances of the past two years have taught the world anything, it is that the unexpected can happen at any time. The life skill of flexibility is perhaps more important now than ever before. As Bryan pointed out, practicing chess can give you the edge to succeed even in industries that seem dissimilar from chess like publishing.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9950,"children":9951},{},[9952],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":9953,"children":9954},{},[9955],{"type":38,"value":9956},"Commitment",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9958,"children":9959},{},[9960],{"type":38,"value":9961},"One of the most challenging parts of writing a book is how intimidating it can seem. How do you take the idea in your head and turn it into something others can read and enjoy? You begin with a totally blank page. Oftentimes authors can get paralyzed by how large the task is or get worn out and give up along the way. Does anyone actually meet their publishing deadlines?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9963,"children":9964},{},[9965],{"type":38,"value":9966},"This is not so different from learning the game of chess. When you first begin, it seems very intimidating. Not only do you need to learn the pieces and how they move but you must also slowly pick up the strategy. There are millions of possible moves just within the first couple of turns… new chess students can understandably feel overwhelmed!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9968,"children":9969},{},[9970],{"type":38,"value":9971},"The way to write a book and the way to master chess are not so different from each other. For both, you need to have a clear plan. Whether that’s a good outline, as Bryan shared, or a series of chess goals, as Elliott shared, the concept is basically the same. Get your BIG goal in mind: finishing a book, mastering chess. Then draft a plan of how you would get there (a “table of contents” you might say). What needs to come at the beginning, middle, and end to meet your BIG goal?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9973,"children":9974},{},[9975],{"type":38,"value":9976},"Finally, draft a strategy of how to reach each of these checkpoints. It might be writing a chapter or reaching a certain chess rating - either way, one step after another will get you to your goal.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9978,"children":9979},{},[9980],{"type":38,"value":9981},"Of course, for both book writing and chess mastery, a plan will not get you anywhere on its own. You need to have commitment and discipline to stick to the plan and carry it out, even when the road becomes discouraging.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9983,"children":9984},{},[9985],{"type":38,"value":9986},"Bryan shared that Elliott was unusual when it came to writing A Pawn’s Journey because he finished all of his writing in 89 days, one day shorter than the 90 prescribed! Elliott stated that his success in sticking to his book writing plan was because he was so used to committing to his goals from chess. He knew writing A Pawn’s Journey was a big goal, like becoming a National Chess Master. From his chess journey he knew that if he did each little bit of his plan every day, he would eventually reach his goal. Elliott’s journey to Chess Master had also strengthened his “commitment and discipline muscles,” so he was ready to put in the hard work when it came down to it.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":9988,"children":9989},{},[9990],{"type":38,"value":9991},"Whether it is publishing or book writing or another industry altogether, it is clear from Bryan Heathman and Elliott Neff’s conversation that the game of chess can have many benefits for kids and adults alike. If you want to hear more about Bryan’s interesting story and perspective on publishing, check out the video below!",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":9993,"children":9995},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":9994,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":8549,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/ncvCGzdtYBM",[],{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":9997},[],"content:blog:spotlight-bryan-heathman-what-do-book-writing-and-chess-have-in-common.md","blog/spotlight-bryan-heathman-what-do-book-writing-and-chess-have-in-common.md",{"_path":10001,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":10002,"description":10003,"tags":10004,"seo":10005,"thumbnail":10006,"header":10007,"post_date":10008,"summary":10009,"body":10010,"_type":845,"_id":10137,"_source":847,"_file":10138,"_extension":849},"/blog/spotlight-kyle-haining-from-chess-national-master-to-computer-coder","Spotlight: Kyle Haining, from Chess National Master to Computer Coder","This week’s spotlight falls on Kyle Haining, a current software developer. He’s also a national master in chess, ranking him among the top percentage of players in the United States.",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/apptio-intro.jpg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-08-06T05:00:00.000Z","This week’s spotlight falls on Kyle Haining, a current software developer. He’s also a national master in chess, ranking him among the top percentage of players in the United States. \n\nKyle has been playing chess since the first grade when he had a meaningful introduction to the game. He found a book on chess at school that caught his interest and took it home with him. At the time, Kyle’s father had cancer which...",{"type":30,"children":10011,"toc":10135},[10012,10016,10021,10026,10031,10039,10044,10049,10054,10059,10064,10072,10077,10082,10087,10092,10097,10102,10106,10111,10115,10123,10127],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10013,"children":10014},{},[10015],{"type":38,"value":10003},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10017,"children":10018},{},[10019],{"type":38,"value":10020},"Kyle has been playing chess since the first grade when he had a meaningful introduction to the game. He found a book on chess at school that caught his interest and took it home with him. At the time, Kyle’s father had cancer which limited the activities he was able to do. However, Kyle’s father found that he could teach Kyle to play chess, so that is just what he did!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10022,"children":10023},{},[10024],{"type":38,"value":10025},"To this day Kyle attributes a large part of his success in chess to his dad, as well as to his coaches and friends who helped him along the way.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10027,"children":10028},{},[10029],{"type":38,"value":10030},"Like us, Kyle thinks that there are many, many benefits gained from the game of chess. Today we will focus on a few that have had a great impact on Kyle’s life: critical thinking skills and coping with losses.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10032,"children":10033},{},[10034],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10035,"children":10036},{},[10037],{"type":38,"value":10038},"Critical Thinking",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10040,"children":10041},{},[10042],{"type":38,"value":10043},"Chess develops critical thinking skills. Players must be able to analyze the board and come up with the best solution for each issue that arises. Kyle has found that this skill actually translates well to his career as a software developer.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10045,"children":10046},{},[10047],{"type":38,"value":10048},"Kyle explained that in coding there are multiple levels at which you think while coding. At a basic level, a coder may be concerned with an individual line of code. What code needs to be written at this line to accomplish this specific task?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10050,"children":10051},{},[10052],{"type":38,"value":10053},"At the same time that a software developer keeps track of the basic level, they must also pay attention to the overarching larger perspective. How do these lines of code work together to meet my goal? They must also know how the two levels interact: how is this line of code going to impact the other lines of code and therefore my overall plan?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10055,"children":10056},{},[10057],{"type":38,"value":10058},"Kyle sees strong parallels between this process at work as a software developer and the game of chess. In chess, players must use similar logical step by step thinking at the individual move level. However, chess is rarely won if played one move at a time. Players must also keep track of their overall strategy, and how each move fits into that plan.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10060,"children":10061},{},[10062],{"type":38,"value":10063},"Like in the case of Kyle, playing chess (especially from a young age, though it is never too late!) can build a strong foundation of skills that are useful in a career.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10065,"children":10066},{},[10067],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10068,"children":10069},{},[10070],{"type":38,"value":10071},"Coping with Losses",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10073,"children":10074},{},[10075],{"type":38,"value":10076},"Chess games can sometimes last for hours. After all that focus and all those carefully considered moves, sometimes a single move can seemingly throw it all away and cause a loss. Kyle shared that learning to cope with losses was a valuable skill he learned from chess.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10078,"children":10079},{},[10080],{"type":38,"value":10081},"Losing often doesn’t feel good. It stings to put in so much effort and not get the outcome you were striving for. Many chess players young and old alike will want to put everything away and forget about it after a loss and do their best to forget about it.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10083,"children":10084},{},[10085],{"type":38,"value":10086},"However, Kyle shared that what helped him is sitting down to study the games he lost. Why did he lose? What moves could he have done better? What choices could have been made differently? This process can feel uncomfortable at first but ultimately develops both your chess skills and your resiliency.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10088,"children":10089},{},[10090],{"type":38,"value":10091},"The ability to cope with losses is a great skill for the rest of life too. Building up a tolerance to face the uncomfortable emotions that come with losses allows us to face our mistakes in other areas of life. Instead of viewing these mistakes as a waste of time, we can look at them as an opportunity to learn.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10093,"children":10094},{},[10095],{"type":38,"value":10096},"That’s why one of the life skills we champion at Chess4Life is Win.Draw.Learn.® In chess, as in life, there are no real losses. There’s winning, there’s drawing, and there are opportunities to learn. All three are valuable and all three have aspects that can be celebrated.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10098,"children":10099},{},[10100],{"type":38,"value":10101},"In our Youtube interview, Kyle shared a game in which he describes himself as getting “absolutely destroyed.” Check out the game as well as the rest of his interview below!",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":10103,"children":10105},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":10104,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":8549,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/bD_zPcBj7zU",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10107,"children":10108},{},[10109],{"type":38,"value":10110},"Kyle's Chess Games:",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":10112,"children":10114},{"src":10113,"width":9192,"height":9193,"frameBorder":7708},"https://lichess.org/embed/game/AMGjChQK?theme=auto&bg=auto#0",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10116,"children":10117},{},[10118],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":10119,"children":10120},{},[10121],{"type":38,"value":10122},"This first game is between me (white) and GM Titas Stremavicius (black). This is from season 2 of the States Chess Cup, an online rapid tournament between states which took place last year. Teams of four compete against each other. Team Washington had won season 1 and was looking to win again. I was representing Washington while Stremaivicus was representing Nevada. Not a perfect game, being rapid, but always nice to beat a GM! -Kyle",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":10124,"children":10126},{"src":10125,"width":9192,"height":9193,"frameBorder":7708},"https://lichess.org/embed/game/Qxv9Nzx3?theme=auto&bg=auto#2",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10128,"children":10129},{},[10130],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":10131,"children":10132},{},[10133],{"type":38,"value":10134},"This second game is from the Premier (second highest) section of the Washington State Championship from 2021. I ended up winning first. Here I was white and was playing Timothy Moroney. I liked the way I played. The game has my comments. -Kyle",{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":10136},[],"content:blog:spotlight-kyle-haining-from-chess-national-master-to-computer-coder.md","blog/spotlight-kyle-haining-from-chess-national-master-to-computer-coder.md",{"_path":10140,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":10141,"description":10142,"tags":10143,"seo":10144,"thumbnail":10145,"header":10146,"post_date":10147,"summary":10148,"body":10149,"_type":845,"_id":10303,"_source":847,"_file":10304,"_extension":849},"/blog/spotlight-benjamin-mukumbya-from-african-slum-to-disney-movie-to-medical-profession","Spotlight: Benjamin Mukumbya, from African slum to Disney movie to medical profession!","From a chess club in a slum of Uganda to being part of a Disney live action film to attending university in the United States with a big dream of positively impacting others, Benjamin Mukumbya’s story is one you do not want to miss.",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":8,"description_tag":8},"/uploads/20171230_085039-1.jpg",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2022-07-30T04:00:00.000Z","From a chess club in a slum of Uganda to being part of a Disney live action film to attending university in the United States with a big dream of positively impacting others, Benjamin Mukumbya’s story is one you do not want to miss. I’ve always believed in the capacity...",{"type":30,"children":10150,"toc":10301},[10151,10173,10187,10201,10206,10213,10218,10223,10231,10236,10241,10246,10251,10259,10264,10269,10273,10283,10297],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10152,"children":10153},{},[10154,10156,10162,10164,10171],{"type":38,"value":10155},"From a chess club in a slum of Uganda to being part of a ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10157,"children":10159},{"href":8984,"rel":10158},[496],[10160],{"type":38,"value":10161},"Disney live action film",{"type":38,"value":10163}," to attending university in the United States with a big dream of positively impacting others, ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10165,"children":10168},{"href":10166,"rel":10167},"http://www.benmukumbya.com/",[496],[10169],{"type":38,"value":10170},"Benjamin Mukumbya",{"type":38,"value":10172},"’s story is one you do not want to miss.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10174,"children":10175},{},[10176,10178,10185],{"type":38,"value":10177},"I’ve always believed in the capacity of chess to teach essential life skills. No one is a better living example of that than Benjamin. I don’t want to spoil the whole story (you can check out our ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10179,"children":10182},{"href":10180,"rel":10181},"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrJ6hCihsas&t=9s",[496],[10183],{"type":38,"value":10184},"full Youtube interview here",{"type":38,"value":10186},") but I want to highlight two benefits of chess from his story. They might surprise you!",{"type":33,"tag":1034,"props":10188,"children":10189},{},[10190],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10191,"children":10192},{},[10193],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10194,"children":10195},{},[10196],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":10197,"children":10198},{},[10199],{"type":38,"value":10200},"“Chess transformed the way I thought about my entire life.” -Benjamin Mukumbya",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10202,"children":10203},{},[10204],{"type":38,"value":10205},"When he lived in Katwe, Uganda, Benjamin’s mom enrolled him in a chess club. She said she noticed a difference between the kids who played chess and the kids who played only soccer. Those who played chess were more respectful, cared for others, and focused on future goals.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10207,"children":10208},{},[10209],{"type":33,"tag":7049,"props":10210,"children":10212},{"alt":8,"src":10211},"/uploads/robet-katende-benjamin-2009-sudan-tournament.jpg",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10214,"children":10215},{},[10216],{"type":38,"value":10217},"Benjamin ended up falling in love with the game. He now considers chess a tool for developing the brain to think better. Benjamin experienced many of the benefits his mother saw and grew holistically as a person throughout his chess career.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10219,"children":10220},{},[10221],{"type":38,"value":10222},"In our recent interview, Benjamin discussed the ways chess helped him find a community and learn to set goals. I’m excited to share how these lessons helped Benjamin while he was growing up and how they’re still informing the way he pursues his journey to become a neurosurgeon now.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10224,"children":10225},{},[10226],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10227,"children":10228},{},[10229],{"type":38,"value":10230},"Chess: a source of community",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10232,"children":10233},{},[10234],{"type":38,"value":10235},"When people think of the benefits of chess, they often think of intelligence first. Benjamin emphasized that he does not think that is what chess is all about or the best of what chess has to offer and I couldn’t agree more.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10237,"children":10238},{},[10239],{"type":38,"value":10240},"As a child in Uganda and when he came to the United States for six months of intensive chess training, Benjamin found an incredible source of community through the game of chess. In chess club, Benjamin met like-minded peers. Every loss was an opportunity to learn from both himself and his opponent. He had the opportunity to experience being cared for by his Katwe chess friends and to extend that same care to them.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10242,"children":10243},{},[10244],{"type":38,"value":10245},"In our interview together Benjamin discussed how he learned the value of bringing his thoughts and ideas to his community for their input through the game of chess. He still uses that skill today in his research team for his Masters of Global Health program - just one of many examples of how the lessons of chess extend far beyond the game.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10247,"children":10248},{},[10249],{"type":38,"value":10250},"Building community and caring for others are just a few of the socioemotional skills chess supports the development of. At Chess4Life we’ve seen firsthand the transformative effect chess can have on kids’ socioemotional development through our integrated school programs, early childhood programs, and our involvement in a juvenile detention center. Whether these are skills that are already robust or just beginning, Benjamin’s story highlights how these skills can have real-life impacts far down the line.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10252,"children":10253},{},[10254],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10255,"children":10256},{},[10257],{"type":38,"value":10258},"Goal setting",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10260,"children":10261},{},[10262],{"type":38,"value":10263},"Another chess life lesson Benjamin discussed during our interview was learning to set and pursue goals. Chess teaches you to set reasonable, achievable goals and commit to pursuing them. Through learning chess himself and now through teaching chess to others, Benjamin has seen the beauty of celebrating your progress and achievements, no matter what they are. Whether the goal is to be able to draw against a challenging opponent or increase your chess standing, it is essential for improving at chess.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10265,"children":10266},{},[10267],{"type":38,"value":10268},"However, Benjamin opines that learning goal setting is embedded within the game of chess itself, too. He discussed that in the game of chess, both sides begin with the same resources: 16 pieces in their starting positions. How you allocate those resources determines your position as the game developments. Constant flexible goal setting is necessary to plan the moves of each piece to come together as a long-term strategy. Perseverance is necessary to reach those goals too - in the below featured match Benjamin played against a grandmaster, he stumbled so many times in his opening that he considered resigning. However, he stuck with it until his opponent made a key blunder and ended up taking the match!",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":10270,"children":10272},{"src":10271,"width":9192,"height":9193,"frameBorder":7708},"https://lichess.org/embed/game/GoPTwGvz?theme=auto&bg=auto",[],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10274,"children":10275},{},[10276,10278],{"type":38,"value":10277},"Benjamin has found that this well-developed skill of goal setting has helped him greatly in the pursuit of his dreams. He stated that goal setting is important in grad school and helps keep him energized for his dream of becoming a neurosurgeon. Though the path to neurosurgery is a long (and challenging!) one, Benjamin’s reasonable, achievable goals along the way help him continue to take steps to one day get there. To follow Benjamin on his continuing journey, you can visit his website: ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10279,"children":10281},{"href":10166,"rel":10280,"title":10166},[496],[10282],{"type":38,"value":10166},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10284,"children":10285},{},[10286,10288,10295],{"type":38,"value":10287},"It was a genuine pleasure to catch up with my friend Benjamin and learn from his unique perspective on the game of chess. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to check out his full story, and others like it, on our ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10289,"children":10292},{"href":10290,"rel":10291},"https://www.youtube.com/c/Chess4LifeBellevue",[496],[10293],{"type":38,"value":10294},"Youtube channel",{"type":38,"value":10296},". Perhaps the community you find through these stories will inspire you to greater and greater success!",{"type":33,"tag":7702,"props":10298,"children":10300},{"width":7704,"height":7705,"src":10299,"title":7707,"frameBorder":7708,"allow":8549,"allowFullScreen":7710},"https://www.youtube.com/embed/DrJ6hCihsas",[],{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":10302},[],"content:blog:spotlight-benjamin-mukumbya-from-african-slum-to-disney-movie-to-medical-profession.md","blog/spotlight-benjamin-mukumbya-from-african-slum-to-disney-movie-to-medical-profession.md",{"_path":152,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":10306,"description":8,"header":10307,"thumbnail":10308,"tags":10309,"seo":10313,"post_date":10317,"summary":10318,"body":10319,"_type":845,"_id":10560,"_source":847,"_file":10561,"_extension":849},"CHESS RATING – A PARENT’S COMPLETE RATING GUIDE (2021)",{"title":10306,"bg_image":11},"/uploads/bryan-quads.jpeg",[15,10310,10311,10312],"Chess Tournaments","NWSRS","USCF",{"title_tag":10314,"description_tag":10315,"estimated_reading_time":10316},"Chess Rating - A Parent's Complete Rating Guide (2021)","A chess rating ranges from 400-2000+, an average chess rating being 1300. After playing a rated chess tournament, you will receive a rating.","5 Minutes","2021-06-22T07:00:00.000Z","A Chess Rating is a number typically ranging from 400-2000+. It is an estimate of a person’s tournament playing strength. You receive a rating after playing in a rated tournament once your name is entered into the database of players. The number will go up or down depending on how well you do against other rated players. Here is a list of sample ratings and how they typically correlate to chess skill:",{"type":30,"children":10320,"toc":10551},[10321,10327,10331,10336,10341,10346,10351,10356,10361,10366,10371,10376,10381,10387,10399,10404,10410,10415,10420,10425,10430,10435,10440,10445,10450,10455,10461,10466,10471,10477,10482,10487,10492,10497,10513,10524,10530,10535,10541,10546],{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":10322,"children":10324},{"id":10323},"chess-rating-what-is-it",[10325],{"type":38,"value":10326},"CHESS RATING, WHAT IS IT?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10328,"children":10329},{},[10330],{"type":38,"value":10318},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10332,"children":10333},{},[10334],{"type":38,"value":10335},"400 Rating assigned to you before your first tournament",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10337,"children":10338},{},[10339],{"type":38,"value":10340},"800 A player who knows some basics and sees a fair number of threats/opportunities",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10342,"children":10343},{},[10344],{"type":38,"value":10345},"1200 A developing chess player who is understanding some chess strategy",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10347,"children":10348},{},[10349],{"type":38,"value":10350},"1600 A player among the top scholastic players in the state of WA and perhaps in the nation.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10352,"children":10353},{},[10354],{"type":38,"value":10355},"2000 Expert Level – very few players reach this level while in grade school",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10357,"children":10358},{},[10359],{"type":38,"value":10360},"2200 Minimum rating to be considered a “Chess Master”",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10362,"children":10363},{},[10364],{"type":38,"value":10365},"2400 “Senior Master”",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10367,"children":10368},{},[10369],{"type":38,"value":10370},"2500 Minimum rating as part of requirements to earn the “Grandmaster” (GM) title",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10372,"children":10373},{},[10374],{"type":38,"value":10375},"2900 The World Champion is typically rated close to this",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10377,"children":10378},{},[10379],{"type":38,"value":10380},"3000 No human has yet attained this in standard tournament competition",{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":10382,"children":10384},{"id":10383},"what-is-the-difference-between-a-nwsrs-rating-and-a-uscf-rating",[10385],{"type":38,"value":10386},"WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A NWSRS RATING AND A USCF RATING?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10388,"children":10389},{},[10390,10392,10398],{"type":38,"value":10391},"NWSRS stands for Northwest Scholastic Rating System. It is a ratings database primarily for K-12 kids in WA, OR, ID, and British Columbia. “Rated” events at Chess4Life primarily use this system. The Washington State Elementary Chess Championship also uses this system, so most elementary events in Washington are NWSRS rated. Once your student’s rating is established, you can view their rating and track their progress by visiting ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10393,"children":10396},{"href":10394,"rel":10395,"title":10394},"http://myrating.chess4life.wpengine.com",[496],[10397],{"type":38,"value":10394},{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10400,"children":10401},{},[10402],{"type":38,"value":10403},"USCF stands for United State Chess Federation and is the rating system used throughout the United States. To participate in USCF rated events your must have a USCF membership. A USCF rating is required to receive the title of National Master or Grandmaster.",{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":10405,"children":10407},{"id":10406},"how-do-wins-draws-and-learns-affect-your-nwsrs-rating",[10408],{"type":38,"value":10409},"HOW DO WINS, DRAWS, AND “LEARNS” AFFECT YOUR NWSRS RATING?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10411,"children":10412},{},[10413],{"type":38,"value":10414},"Chess players have a “provisional rating” until they have participated in 26 rated games. During this provisional period, ratings can change very drastically and may jump up or down hundreds of points. Once a player’s rating is established, it can fluctuate anywhere between 0-60 points after each rated game (0-30 in case of a draw). The scenarios listed below provide an idea of what changes to expect to see to your rating after each game.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10416,"children":10417},{},[10418],{"type":38,"value":10419},"A win against a player rated 300 more than you: +60 points",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10421,"children":10422},{},[10423],{"type":38,"value":10424},"A win against a similarly rated player: +30 points",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10426,"children":10427},{},[10428],{"type":38,"value":10429},"A win against a player rated 300 less than you: +0 points",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10431,"children":10432},{},[10433],{"type":38,"value":10434},"A loss again a player rated 300 more than you: -0 points",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10436,"children":10437},{},[10438],{"type":38,"value":10439},"A loss against a similarly rated player: -30 points",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10441,"children":10442},{},[10443],{"type":38,"value":10444},"A loss against a player rated 300 less than you: -60 points",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10446,"children":10447},{},[10448],{"type":38,"value":10449},"A draw against a similarly rated player: very minor change",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10451,"children":10452},{},[10453],{"type":38,"value":10454},"A win or a loss against an unrated player: no change",{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":10456,"children":10458},{"id":10457},"is-an-online-rating-the-same-as-a-tournament-rating",[10459],{"type":38,"value":10460},"IS AN ONLINE RATING THE SAME AS A TOURNAMENT RATING?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10462,"children":10463},{},[10464],{"type":38,"value":10465},"No. Online ratings vary depending on what site you use and have no effect on your “real” rating.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10467,"children":10468},{},[10469],{"type":38,"value":10470},"Different websites use different databases and methods to estimate change.",{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":10472,"children":10474},{"id":10473},"what-is-a-nwsrs-rating-id",[10475],{"type":38,"value":10476},"WHAT IS A NWSRS RATING ID?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10478,"children":10479},{},[10480],{"type":38,"value":10481},"An ID is created as follows:",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10483,"children":10484},{},[10485],{"type":38,"value":10486},"The first three letters are the school code associated with the school the player attends. An example of a school code would be LYEM (Lynden High School).",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10488,"children":10489},{},[10490],{"type":38,"value":10491},"The next letter is the letter symbolizing the grade the child is in. A for grade 0 (kindergarten), B for grade 1, C for grade 2, all the way up to N for grade 13 (anyone older than grade 12). This letter will automatically update each year.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10493,"children":10494},{},[10495],{"type":38,"value":10496},"The next 4 digits are a random sequence of numbers that the NWRS site auto generates.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10498,"children":10499},{},[10500,10502,10508],{"type":38,"value":10501},"More Rating Info:",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10503,"children":10506},{"href":10504,"rel":10505},"http://www.ratingsnw.com/more/how-ratings-work/",[496],[10507],{"type":38,"value":130},{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10509,"children":10511},{"href":10504,"rel":10510,"title":10504},[496],[10512],{"type":38,"value":10504},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10514,"children":10515},{},[10516],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10517,"children":10518},{},[10519],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":10520,"children":10521},{},[10522],{"type":38,"value":10523},"Rating advice from Elliott Neff (National Master and Founder of Chess4Life)",{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":10525,"children":10527},{"id":10526},"should-i-use-my-students-rating-as-a-way-to-help-them-set-goals",[10528],{"type":38,"value":10529},"SHOULD I USE MY STUDENT’S RATING AS A WAY TO HELP THEM SET GOALS?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10531,"children":10532},{},[10533],{"type":38,"value":10534},"Ratings can be very motivational as a means to set goals, and I will frequently tell students that you should set a rating that is about 300 rating points above where you currently are and strive for that goal. However, once you are within 100 points of your original goal, celebrate your progress and plan to adjust that goal up approximately 300 points again. Why? Simply because, typically, if you set a high goal, you will quickly advance through the lower levels, but setting too high of a goal becomes ‘unattainable’ and frustrating to a student.",{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":10536,"children":10538},{"id":10537},"should-my-student-analyze-the-ratings-of-his-opponents-in-a-tournament",[10539],{"type":38,"value":10540},"SHOULD MY STUDENT ANALYZE THE RATINGS OF HIS OPPONENTS IN A TOURNAMENT?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10542,"children":10543},{},[10544],{"type":38,"value":10545},"I often tell students to avoid thinking about chess ratings before or during events. This is a VERY important point, especially for students who are below 1600. Looking at ratings before playing a match can easily result in one of two things, neither positive: 1 – playing vs a lower ranked player can lead to overconfidence as that lower ranked player may actually be much stronger than the rating implies. 2 – playing against a higher ranked player may easily lead to a feeling of “I’m going to lose because they are so good.” Instead, it is MUCH better to simply play each game to the best of your ability.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10547,"children":10548},{},[10549],{"type":38,"value":10550},"To illustrate the importance of doing the above….when I was 12 years old I played in the US OPEN Chess Championships in Jacksonville, FL. In one of the matches, I played an experienced player, but did not look at the ratings as I avoided doing so. It was a long and challenging game, but I did end up checkmating my opponent. After the game, I asked him what his rating was so I could write it on my scoresheet. He replied that he was rated 2200!! I nearly collapsed as my knees started to knock – realizing that I had just defeated my first master! (I knew that if I had known he was a master before the game, the likelihood is that I would have lost that game).",{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":10552},[10553,10554,10555,10556,10557,10558,10559],{"id":10323,"depth":821,"text":10326},{"id":10383,"depth":821,"text":10386},{"id":10406,"depth":821,"text":10409},{"id":10457,"depth":821,"text":10460},{"id":10473,"depth":821,"text":10476},{"id":10526,"depth":821,"text":10529},{"id":10537,"depth":821,"text":10540},"content:blog:complete-chess-rating-guide.md","blog/complete-chess-rating-guide.md",{"_path":10563,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":10564,"description":8,"header":10565,"thumbnail":852,"tags":10566,"seo":10571,"post_date":10575,"summary":10576,"body":10577,"_type":845,"_id":10833,"_source":847,"_file":10834,"_extension":849},"/blog/chess-2020-nationals","YOUR 2020 NATIONALS QUESTIONS ANSWERED",{"title":10564,"bg_image":11},[10567,10568,10569,10570,10312],"Chess","Nationals","Tournament","Tournament Preparation",{"title_tag":10572,"description_tag":10573,"estimated_reading_time":10574},"Chess 2020 Nationals","This year's Nationals will be held in Nashville in May. Learn everything you need to know about preparing your student for success!","3 Minutes","2019-10-15T07:00:00.000Z","Nationals is an ‘open championship’ meaning that there are no qualification requirements. Every participant simply must have a USCF membership. There are sections for all rating levels, from unrated through ‘open championship’ sections. We recommend that if a student enjoys competing in tournaments already, then attending nationals can be an amazing experience!",{"type":30,"children":10578,"toc":10831},[10579,10585,10594,10599,10608,10620,10629,10633,10642,10647,10656,10661,10670,10675,10680,10756,10765,10779,10784,10789,10798,10803,10814,10823],{"type":33,"tag":4124,"props":10580,"children":10582},{"id":10581},"_2020-nationals",[10583],{"type":38,"value":10584},"2020 NATIONALS",{"type":33,"tag":6562,"props":10586,"children":10588},{"id":10587},"what-is-nationals",[10589],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10590,"children":10591},{},[10592],{"type":38,"value":10593},"WHAT IS NATIONALS?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10595,"children":10596},{},[10597],{"type":38,"value":10598},"Nationals is an annual tournament where elementary chess players from around the country compete!",{"type":33,"tag":6562,"props":10600,"children":10602},{"id":10601},"where-will-the-2020-chess-nationals-be-held",[10603],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10604,"children":10605},{},[10606],{"type":38,"value":10607},"WHERE WILL THE 2020 CHESS NATIONALS BE HELD?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10609,"children":10610},{},[10611,10613],{"type":38,"value":10612},"Nashville, TN at the ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10614,"children":10617},{"href":10615,"rel":10616},"http://www.hotelsone.com/nashville-hotels-us/gaylord-opryland-resort-convention-center.html?as=g&aid=7784438318&dsti=125186&dstt=8&label=bh125186&akw=opryland%20hotel&asrc=Search&ast=&gclid=CNjG7KSJndECFYF-fgodYFcGVA",[496],[10618],{"type":38,"value":10619},"Opryland Hotel",{"type":33,"tag":6562,"props":10621,"children":10623},{"id":10622},"how-do-i-know-if-nationals-is-appropriate-for-my-child-and-how-can-they-qualify",[10624],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10625,"children":10626},{},[10627],{"type":38,"value":10628},"HOW DO I KNOW IF NATIONALS IS APPROPRIATE FOR MY CHILD AND HOW CAN THEY QUALIFY?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10630,"children":10631},{},[10632],{"type":38,"value":10576},{"type":33,"tag":6562,"props":10634,"children":10636},{"id":10635},"does-chess4life-have-a-team-traveling-to-nationals",[10637],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10638,"children":10639},{},[10640],{"type":38,"value":10641},"DOES CHESS4LIFE HAVE A TEAM TRAVELING TO NATIONALS?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10643,"children":10644},{},[10645],{"type":38,"value":10646},"Yes! Chess4Life will be training and traveling with a team of students this year. Note that the awards at nationals are for individual and SCHOOL team achievement, not a club team; however, the Chess4Life group will be coached and receive the “Chess4Life experience” involving special prep, team shirt, and the ‘one-of-a-kind’ Chess4Life coaching experience.",{"type":33,"tag":6562,"props":10648,"children":10650},{"id":10649},"why-should-my-child-participate-in-nationals",[10651],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10652,"children":10653},{},[10654],{"type":38,"value":10655},"WHY SHOULD MY CHILD PARTICIPATE IN NATIONALS?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10657,"children":10658},{},[10659],{"type":38,"value":10660},"Nationals is a ‘pinnacle’ type event that inspires chess students to focus on growth and improvement. The life lessons that can be learned by attending nationals with Chess4Life include dedication, planning, developing healthy habits, teamwork as we celebrate success and encourage each other through losses, and perseverance as they see that each game presents the opportunity to Win, Draw, or Learn!",{"type":33,"tag":6562,"props":10662,"children":10664},{"id":10663},"how-can-my-student-best-prepare-for-the-tournament",[10665],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10666,"children":10667},{},[10668],{"type":38,"value":10669},"HOW CAN MY STUDENT BEST PREPARE FOR THE TOURNAMENT?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10671,"children":10672},{},[10673],{"type":38,"value":10674},"While the below are not requirements, students that commit to this level of training enter nationals with much more confidence and typically perform better than those who do not set aside time to regularly train & practice.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10676,"children":10677},{},[10678],{"type":38,"value":10679},"Ideal prep includes:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":10681,"children":10682},{},[10683,10688,10693,10698,10703,10708,10713],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":10684,"children":10685},{},[10686],{"type":38,"value":10687},"Practice tactics puzzles AT LEAST 15 minutes per day, 4-5 days a week, using CT-ARt 3.0, 4.0, or another tactics program or book (ask your coach for a specific recommendation)",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":10689,"children":10690},{},[10691],{"type":38,"value":10692},"Compete in the Nationals Training Longer time control training games one time per month, or as often as possible",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":10694,"children":10695},{},[10696],{"type":38,"value":10697},"Attend ALL team training days (more information for these training sessions can be found in the next question!)",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":10699,"children":10700},{},[10701],{"type":38,"value":10702},"If possible, take private lessons on top of the team training days",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":10704,"children":10705},{},[10706],{"type":38,"value":10707},"Participate in at least 1 chess tournament every 2 months, although once a month is preferred.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":10709,"children":10710},{},[10711],{"type":38,"value":10712},"Review the last 6 months or the last year of chess games from your scorebook if possible and KNOW what could be changed in each game to improve. (If your child doesn’t yet record games, start doing so immediately)",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":10714,"children":10715},{},[10716,10718],{"type":38,"value":10717},"Decide with the coach what 1-2 books will be read by nationals or at least studied (a partial list of recommendations included below)\n",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":10719,"children":10720},{},[10721,10726,10731,10736,10741,10746,10751],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":10722,"children":10723},{},[10724],{"type":38,"value":10725},"Complete Endgame Course – Silman (book)",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":10727,"children":10728},{},[10729],{"type":38,"value":10730},"How to Beat Your Dad at Chess (book)",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":10732,"children":10733},{},[10734],{"type":38,"value":10735},"Chess Tactics for Kids (book)",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":10737,"children":10738},{},[10739],{"type":38,"value":10740},"CT Art 3.0 or 4.0 (software)",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":10742,"children":10743},{},[10744],{"type":38,"value":10745},"TASC CD (software)",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":10747,"children":10748},{},[10749],{"type":38,"value":10750},"King in Jeopardy (book)",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":10752,"children":10753},{},[10754],{"type":38,"value":10755},"Chess Training Pocketbook (book)",{"type":33,"tag":6562,"props":10757,"children":10759},{"id":10758},"what-training-is-chess4life-providing-are-all-students-eligible",[10760],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10761,"children":10762},{},[10763],{"type":38,"value":10764},"WHAT TRAINING IS CHESS4LIFE PROVIDING? ARE ALL STUDENTS ELIGIBLE?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10766,"children":10767},{},[10768,10770,10777],{"type":38,"value":10769},"Chess4Life is providing ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10771,"children":10774},{"href":10772,"rel":10773},"https://chess4life.configio.com/pd/7083/nationals-tournament-training-2018?txtonly=national&returncom=productlist&source=search",[496],[10775],{"type":38,"value":10776},"Nationals Training",{"type":38,"value":10778}," on Saturdays starting in mid January, running until May. These classes will run from 3:45-7:00 PM.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10780,"children":10781},{},[10782],{"type":38,"value":10783},"Classes will include tactics, specific training on key concepts, worksheets, tournament-styled games, and post-game analysis.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10785,"children":10786},{},[10787],{"type":38,"value":10788},"Any student who displays an eagerness to learn and a willingness to invest time and effort into improving is welcome to join the team. We do recommend that participants have a chess rating of 1000+.",{"type":33,"tag":6562,"props":10790,"children":10792},{"id":10791},"where-can-i-find-accommodation-information",[10793],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10794,"children":10795},{},[10796],{"type":38,"value":10797},"WHERE CAN I FIND ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10799,"children":10800},{},[10801],{"type":38,"value":10802},"Each participant will be responsible for booking their own flights and hotel rooms. For optimal convenience and closet proximity to the tournament and team, we recommend staying on site at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10804,"children":10805},{},[10806,10808],{"type":38,"value":10807},"Further information about accommodation can be found here: ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10809,"children":10812},{"href":10810,"rel":10811,"title":10810},"http://www.uschess.org/tournaments/2018/elem/",[496],[10813],{"type":38,"value":10810},{"type":33,"tag":6562,"props":10815,"children":10817},{"id":10816},"where-can-i-find-day-of-information-round-times-waiting-areas-meal-information",[10818],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10819,"children":10820},{},[10821],{"type":38,"value":10822},"WHERE CAN I FIND DAY OF INFORMATION (ROUND TIMES, WAITING AREAS, MEAL INFORMATION)?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10824,"children":10825},{},[10826],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10827,"children":10829},{"href":10810,"rel":10828,"title":10810},[496],[10830],{"type":38,"value":10810},{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":10832},[],"content:blog:chess-2020-nationals.md","blog/chess-2020-nationals.md",{"_path":10836,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":10837,"description":10838,"tags":10839,"seo":10843,"thumbnail":10847,"header":10848,"post_date":10849,"summary":10838,"body":10850,"_type":845,"_id":11080,"_source":847,"_file":11081,"_extension":849},"/blog/chess-changes-kids-lives-from-uganda-to-seattle","CHESS CHANGES KIDS’ LIVES FROM UGANDA TO SEATTLE","The Queen of Katwe is a real-life story told in a book and Disney live-action movie…and the story continues to develop. At Chess4Life HQ in Bellevue, WA, thousands of students develop Life Skills Through Chess: critical thinking skills, focus, planning, social-emotional skills and more. On the opposite side of the world, similar life-changing results are being seen…meet Phiona & Benjamin, whose story has brought them on an amazing journey that includes the Slums of Uganda, Red Carpet of Hollywood, Chess4Life, and most recently Northwest University in Kirkland, WA!",[10567,808,19,10840,10841,10842],"Phiona Mutesi","Queen of Katwe","Robert Katende",{"estimated_reading_time":10844,"title_tag":10845,"description_tag":10846},"4 Minutes","Chess changes kids’ lives from Uganda to Seattle","The Queen of Katwe is a real-life story told in a book and Disney live-action movie...and the story continues to develop.","/uploads/phiona.png",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2017-07-19T07:00:00.000Z",{"type":30,"children":10851,"toc":11078},[10852,10865,10878,10883,10895,10905,10910,10915,10920,10934,10944,10949,10954,10959,10969,10974,10979,10984,10994,11004,11009,11023,11028,11033,11054,11059,11063,11068],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10853,"children":10854},{},[10855,10856,10863],{"type":38,"value":6079},{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10857,"children":10858},{},[10859],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":10860,"children":10861},{},[10862],{"type":38,"value":10841},{"type":38,"value":10864}," is a real-life story told in a book and Disney live-action movie…and the story continues to develop. At Chess4Life HQ in Bellevue, WA, thousands of students develop Life Skills Through Chess: critical thinking skills, focus, planning, social-emotional skills and more. On the opposite side of the world, similar life-changing results are being seen…meet Phiona & Benjamin, whose story has brought them on an amazing journey that includes the Slums of Uganda, Red Carpet of Hollywood, Chess4Life, and most recently Northwest University in Kirkland, WA!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10866,"children":10867},{},[10868,10870,10876],{"type":38,"value":10869},"Phiona Mutesi and Benjamin Mukumbya, whose lives are portrayed in Disney’s movie ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10871,"children":10874},{"href":10872,"rel":10873},"http://movies.disney.com/queen-of-katwe",[496],[10875],{"type":38,"value":10841},{"type":38,"value":10877},", grew up in the slums of Katwe in Uganda and are now poised to begin the next adventure of their lives- attending Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington with a full tuition scholarship.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10879,"children":10880},{},[10881],{"type":38,"value":10882},"Enjoy the full story below:****",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10884,"children":10885},{},[10886,10888,10893],{"type":38,"value":10887},"I’m Elliott Neff, founder of Chess4Life, and I’ve had the privilege of getting to know the real life people behind Disney’s ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10889,"children":10891},{"href":10872,"rel":10890},[496],[10892],{"type":38,"value":10841},{"type":38,"value":10894}," movie. This movie tells the amazing story of Phiona Mutesi, a young girl from the slums of Katwe whose life is changed forever through discovering chess.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10896,"children":10897},{},[10898],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10899,"children":10902},{"href":10900,"rel":10901},"https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/phiona2.jpg",[496],[10903],{"type":38,"value":10904},"![](https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/phiona2.jpg =1000x666)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10906,"children":10907},{},[10908],{"type":38,"value":10909},"Phiona Mutesi (right) playing chess in the Sports Outreach Mission Chess Academy",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10911,"children":10912},{},[10913],{"type":38,"value":10914},"You may have watched the movie in theaters, on an airline flight or on DVD. The suspenseful, accurate, and often humorous chess narrative combined with the heart-warming, real-life story make it well worth your time.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10916,"children":10917},{},[10918],{"type":38,"value":10919},"From living on the streets, to becoming champion in Uganda, then representing her country at the World Olympiad, and on to the red carpet of Hollywood, Phiona’s story is inspiring millions to never give up, to pursue dreams regardless of obstacles, to persevere — as there is the seed of a champion in every person.****",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10921,"children":10922},{},[10923,10925,10932],{"type":38,"value":10924},"I heard of the book",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10926,"children":10929},{"href":10927,"rel":10928},"https://www.amazon.com/Queen-Katwe-Triumphant-Becoming-Champion/dp/1501127187/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498001617&sr=8-2&keywords=queen+of+katwe",[496],[10930],{"type":38,"value":10931}," Queen of Katwe",{"type":38,"value":10933}," in 2013, before the Disney movie was even begun, and helped support the Queen of Katwe project by hosting a tournament fundraiser at Chess4Life in Bellevue, WA.****",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10935,"children":10936},{},[10937],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10938,"children":10941},{"href":10939,"rel":10940},"https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/phiona3.jpg",[496],[10942],{"type":38,"value":10943},"![](https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/phiona3.jpg =767x511)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10945,"children":10946},{},[10947],{"type":38,"value":10948},"Phiona and Robert’s first visit to Chess4Life in 2013",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10950,"children":10951},{},[10952],{"type":38,"value":10953},"That first meeting with Robert Katende and Phiona Mutesi led to a friendship as well as a coaching relationship as I had the privilege of helping Phiona prepare for the World Chess Olympiad 2014.****",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10955,"children":10956},{},[10957],{"type":38,"value":10958},"The friendship continued, and in August 2016, I again had the opportunity to travel to Uganda to help Phiona and the Ugandan Women’s Olympiad chess team prepare for the World Chess Olympiad 2016.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10960,"children":10961},{},[10962],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10963,"children":10966},{"href":10964,"rel":10965},"https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/phiona4.jpg",[496],[10967],{"type":38,"value":10968},"![](https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/phiona4.jpg =858x483)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10970,"children":10971},{},[10972],{"type":38,"value":10973},"Phiona and the Ugandan Women’s Olympiad Team",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10975,"children":10976},{},[10977],{"type":38,"value":10978},"While there, I experienced first hand the reality of what life is like in the slums of Katwe where the story began. I also met Benjamin Mukumbya. This trip led to the idea of inviting Benjamin to come to Chess4Life and study during the Spring of 2017 to help him develop his chess talent.****",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10980,"children":10981},{},[10982],{"type":38,"value":10983},"At Chess4Life, our mission is indeed to develop Life Skills Through Chess with a goal of helping reach 1 million children per week, and it was amazing to discover the same mission in action on the opposite side of the world, led by Robert Katende!****",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10985,"children":10986},{},[10987,10992],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":10988,"children":10989},{},[10990],{"type":38,"value":10991},"Now, there is an important update in this developing story:__ Phiona & Benjamin have both been offered and accepted full-tuition scholarships to attend Northwest University (NU) in Kirkland Washington! However, there are barriers…visas, flight costs, living expenses, and more!",{"type":38,"value":10993},"**",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":10995,"children":10996},{},[10997],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":10998,"children":11001},{"href":10999,"rel":11000},"https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/benjamin.jpg",[496],[11002],{"type":38,"value":11003},"![](https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/benjamin.jpg =652x489)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11005,"children":11006},{},[11007],{"type":38,"value":11008},"Benjamin registering for fall 2017 classes at Northwest University in Kirkland, WA – June 2017",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11010,"children":11011},{},[11012,11014,11021],{"type":38,"value":11013},"In order to help them out further, we helped put together this ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11015,"children":11018},{"href":11016,"rel":11017},"https://www.gofundme.com/QueenOfKatweAtCollege",[496],[11019],{"type":38,"value":11020},"GoFundMe ",{"type":38,"value":11022},"page where you can read much more about the story, view more pics, and perhaps consider helping the dreams of these young people continue to unfold!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11024,"children":11025},{},[11026],{"type":38,"value":11027},"We also have scheduled a special appearance with Phiona & Benjamin on National Chess Day (Oct 14th) to occur in Kirkland where they plan to play chess with children****",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11029,"children":11030},{},[11031],{"type":38,"value":11032},"Additional ways you could perhaps support:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":11034,"children":11035},{},[11036,11041],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":11037,"children":11038},{},[11039],{"type":38,"value":11040},"Share the story",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":11042,"children":11043},{},[11044,11046,11052],{"type":38,"value":11045},"Do you know any organization or someone who may want to schedule an appearance with Robert Katende, the Queen of Katwe Phiona Mutesi, and/or Benjamin Mukumbya? Their story is inspiring and encouraging for many! (feel free to email me at ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11047,"children":11049},{"href":11048},"mailto:kids@chess4life.wpengine.com",[11050],{"type":38,"value":11051},"kids@chess4life.wpengine.com",{"type":38,"value":11053}," if so, or connect on LinkedIn)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11055,"children":11056},{},[11057],{"type":38,"value":11058},"Thank-you for reading and sharing! Together we can indeed make a difference!****",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11060,"children":11061},{},[11062],{"type":38,"value":19},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11064,"children":11065},{},[11066],{"type":38,"value":11067},"National Master & Founder of Chess4Life",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11069,"children":11070},{},[11071],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11072,"children":11075},{"href":11073,"rel":11074},"http://youtube.com/watch?v=5U8kCoVcDLs",[496],[11076],{"type":38,"value":11077},"Life Skills Through Chess youtube video",{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":11079},[],"content:blog:chess-changes-kids-lives-from-uganda-to-seattle.md","blog/chess-changes-kids-lives-from-uganda-to-seattle.md",{"_path":11083,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":11084,"description":11085,"tags":11086,"seo":11090,"thumbnail":11093,"header":11094,"post_date":11096,"summary":11097,"body":11098,"_type":845,"_id":11226,"_source":847,"_file":11227,"_extension":849},"/blog/feature-article-chess4life-and-the-queen-of-katwe-phiona-mutesi","FEATURE ARTICLE: CHESS4LIFE AND THE QUEEN OF KATWE, PHIONA MUTESI","In 2013, our Founder and CEO, Elliott Neff, heard about an inspiring book entitled The Queen of Katwe. This story chronicles the life of a young girl named Phiona Mutesi who was born in Katwe, a Ugandan slum where food, water, and clothes are difficult to come by. Despite her harrowing circumstances, Phiona was able to achieve tremendous things after being introduced to chess by Robert Katende, her chess coach and mentor. Her desire to learn more about the game of chess ultimately led her on a journey that has enabled her to provide for her family, travel the world, and prepare for college!",[10567,11087,11088,10841,10842,11089],"Disney","Olympiad","SOM Chess Academy",{"estimated_reading_time":10574,"title_tag":11091,"description_tag":11092},"Chess4Life and The Queen of Katwe, Phiona Mutesi","In 2013, Chess4Life's CEO and founder joined Phiona Mutesi, the subject of Disney's Queen of Katwe, on her journey to become a Woman Grandmaster.","/uploads/som-team.jpeg",{"title":11095,"bg_image":8},"CHESS4LIFE AND THE QUEEN OF KATWE, PHIONA MUTESI","2016-09-20T07:00:00.000Z","In 2013, our Founder and CEO, Elliott Neff, heard about an inspiring book entitled The Queen of Katwe. This story chronicles the life of a young girl named Phiona Mutesi who was born in Katwe, a Ugandan slum where food, water, and clothes are difficult to come by. Despite her harrowing circumstances, Phiona was able to achieve tremendous things after being introduced to chess by Robert Katende, her chess coach and mentor. ",{"type":30,"children":11099,"toc":11224},[11100,11104,11109,11117,11131,11136,11149,11159,11164,11174,11179,11189,11194,11204,11209,11219],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11101,"children":11102},{},[11103],{"type":38,"value":11085},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11105,"children":11106},{},[11107],{"type":38,"value":11108},"As Elliott has dedicated his entire career to sharing the impact that chess has on young people’s lives, he was particularly touched by this story and immediately became interested in how he could help both Robert and Phiona. He invited them to add Chess4Life as a stop on their book tour in 2014 and quickly realized that, although their enthusiasm was endless, their resources were very limited. After an exciting week of fundraising and special events with Chess4Life students, Elliott sent a number of tools home with Robert to support the Som Chess Academy (the chess school where Phiona learned to play). He also established a Skype lesson schedule with Phiona to help her pursue her dream of achieving the Women’s Grandmaster title – and the next step in that journey was to prepare for the 2014 World Chess Olympiad.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11110,"children":11111},{},[11112],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":11113,"children":11114},{},[11115],{"type":38,"value":11116},"Phiona and the Ugandan team went on to participate in the Olympiad as Elliott coached them via Skype for several days until his wife gave birth to their daughter, Katrina, during the middle of the tournament. Upon hearing the news, Phiona became determined to win her game for Katrina and did go on to win a very exciting game. She still asks about Katrina frequently and lovingly refers to her as her “Olympiad Girl.”",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11118,"children":11119},{},[11120,11122,11129],{"type":38,"value":11121},"Over the last few years, the relationship between Chess4Life and the Som Academy has grown . This year, Chess4Life created a new chess club curriculum called ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11123,"children":11126},{"href":11124,"rel":11125},"https://chess4life.lpages.co/licensing-landing/",[496],[11127],{"type":38,"value":11128},"The Chess4Life Club Solution",{"type":38,"value":11130}," and donated the tools to The Som Academy. This program includes chess sets, coaching tools, activities, training, and a full set of life skill posters. Elliott traveled to Uganda this August to train Phiona for the 2016 World Chess Olympiad as well as help implement the program and reported that it was very well received!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11132,"children":11133},{},[11134],{"type":38,"value":11135},"Elliott has also continued to coach Phiona. Although she is very busy finishing high school, preparing for college in the coming year and attending premieres for Disney’s Film, Queen of Katwe, she is still training for several major tournaments as she pursues her dream of becoming a Woman Grandmaster.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11137,"children":11138},{},[11139,11141,11148],{"type":38,"value":11140},"To learn more about Phiona and Robert’s story, we encourage you to attend Disney’s Queen of Katwe! The film will be in select theaters on September 23rd and expands wide on September 30th. To read Disney’s full press release, ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11142,"children":11145},{"href":11143,"rel":11144},"https://docs.google.com/document/d/19PwvzOCoXgZqsayGGeUyjJNtMr8DboH6ALmnDNvR3us/edit?usp=sharing",[496],[11146],{"type":38,"value":11147},"click here",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11150,"children":11151},{},[11152],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11153,"children":11156},{"href":11154,"rel":11155},"https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/elliott-and-phiona.jpg",[496],[11157],{"type":38,"value":11158},"![elliott-and-phiona](https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/elliott-and-phiona.jpg =1065x599)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11160,"children":11161},{},[11162],{"type":38,"value":11163},"Elliott and Phiona enjoying a meal together after a long day of preparing for the 2016 Chess Olympiad in August.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11165,"children":11166},{},[11167],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11168,"children":11171},{"href":11169,"rel":11170},"https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/robert.jpg",[496],[11172],{"type":38,"value":11173},"![robert](https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/robert.jpg =960x540)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11175,"children":11176},{},[11177],{"type":38,"value":11178},"Robert Katende posing in front of the Som Chess Academy sign and one of Chess4Life’s life skill posters!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11180,"children":11181},{},[11182],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11183,"children":11186},{"href":11184,"rel":11185},"https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/elliott-coaching.jpg",[496],[11187],{"type":38,"value":11188},"![elliott-coaching](https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/elliott-coaching.jpg =1280x960)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11190,"children":11191},{},[11192],{"type":38,"value":11193},"Elliott working with Phiona’s entire team to help them prepare for the 2016 Chess Olympiad.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11195,"children":11196},{},[11197],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11198,"children":11201},{"href":11199,"rel":11200},"https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/elliott-and-andrew.jpg",[496],[11202],{"type":38,"value":11203},"![elliott-and-andrew](https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/elliott-and-andrew.jpg =960x720)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11205,"children":11206},{},[11207],{"type":38,"value":11208},"Elliott Neff and Chess4Life’s Regional Manager, Andrew Fisher, walking the red carpet at the premier of Queen of Katwe in LA.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11210,"children":11211},{},[11212],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11213,"children":11216},{"href":11214,"rel":11215},"https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/elliott-and-family.jpg",[496],[11217],{"type":38,"value":11218},"![elliott-and-family](https://chess4life.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/elliott-and-family.jpg =1000x750)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11220,"children":11221},{},[11222],{"type":38,"value":11223},"Elliott, Phiona, Robert and his family at the premier party at the Hard Rock Cafe in LA.",{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":11225},[],"content:blog:feature-article-chess4life-and-the-queen-of-katwe-phiona-mutesi.md","blog/feature-article-chess4life-and-the-queen-of-katwe-phiona-mutesi.md",{"_path":11229,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":11230,"description":11231,"tags":11232,"seo":11239,"thumbnail":2841,"header":11242,"post_date":11243,"summary":11231,"body":11244,"_type":845,"_id":11429,"_source":847,"_file":11430,"_extension":849},"/blog/4-indicators-of-a-great-summer-program","4 INDICATORS OF A GREAT SUMMER PROGRAM","Finding a balance between your children’s wants and your needs while piecing together a full summer schedule can be daunting, as there are hundreds of summer programs in the Seattle area to choose from. Which programs are best? Look for programs that have the following four elements, and both your needs and your child’s needs will be met.",[11233,10567,11234,11235,11236,11237,11238],"Camps","Children","Safety","Seattle","Summer","Summer Program",{"estimated_reading_time":10844,"title_tag":11240,"description_tag":11241},"4 Indicators of a Great Summer Program - Chess4Life","Which summer programs are best? Look for programs that have the following four elements, and your child's wants and your needs will be met.",{"title":8,"bg_image":8},"2016-04-21T07:00:00.000Z",{"type":30,"children":11245,"toc":11423},[11246,11250,11256,11261,11266,11271,11277,11282,11287,11295,11300,11305,11313,11327,11335,11340,11346,11351,11356,11361,11367,11372,11377,11385,11390,11395,11400,11405,11410,11415],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11247,"children":11248},{},[11249],{"type":38,"value":11231},{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":11251,"children":11253},{"id":11252},"_1-variety",[11254],{"type":38,"value":11255},"1.) VARIETY",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11257,"children":11258},{},[11259],{"type":38,"value":11260},"Summer offers you the unique opportunity to design your child’s education. If there are certain after school programs or classes that your child enjoys during the school year, you can sign them up for a full-week, intensive program. Likewise, if there are activities your child has never tried but you feel will stretch and benefit them, you can introduce them to the new activity through a summer camp.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11262,"children":11263},{},[11264],{"type":38,"value":11265},"Either way, it’s important to offer your child variety. Healthy bodies create even healthier minds, so make sure the programs you select foster both. If indoor activities such as chess, drama, or art interest your child, make sure these camps include break times (preferably outdoor) where they can burn off some steam and stay active.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11267,"children":11268},{},[11269],{"type":38,"value":11270},"If your child loves running around and has a hard time sitting still, give them the opportunity to expend some energy, but also make sure to involve them in an activity that will help them gain focus and self discipline.",{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":11272,"children":11274},{"id":11273},"_2-safety",[11275],{"type":38,"value":11276},"2.) SAFETY",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11278,"children":11279},{},[11280],{"type":38,"value":11281},"It’s difficult leaving your children in someone else’s care. During the school year, you are accustomed to their schedule and have developed a relationship with their teacher and school. You know you can trust that they are in good hands. However, once summer approaches, you may find yourself scrambling to find a program that gives you that same sense of security.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11283,"children":11284},{},[11285],{"type":38,"value":11286},"Ask your summer camp providers about the following to ensure your child will be in a safe environment:",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11288,"children":11289},{},[11290],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11291,"children":11292},{},[11293],{"type":38,"value":11294},"Staff Safety",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11296,"children":11297},{},[11298],{"type":38,"value":11299},"Ensure the program you select adequately vets their employees. Do employees undergo background checks and drug testing? How much experience do they have working with kids?",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11301,"children":11302},{},[11303],{"type":38,"value":11304},"Ask whether or not staff have undergone emergency response training. Do they know how to administer CPR if needed? If your student has allergies, ensure that there is someone on site who knows how to administer an EpiPen.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11306,"children":11307},{},[11308],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11309,"children":11310},{},[11311],{"type":38,"value":11312},"Student to Staff Ratio",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11314,"children":11315},{},[11316,11318,11325],{"type":38,"value":11317},"According to the ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11319,"children":11322},{"href":11320,"rel":11321},"http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/Main-Menu/Organizing-a-school/Class-size-and-student-achievement-At-a-glance/Class-size-and-student-achievement-Research-review.html",[496],[11323],{"type":38,"value":11324},"Center of Public Education",{"type":38,"value":11326},", no more than 18 students per instructor is ideal. The younger a student is, the more important the teacher to student ratio becomes.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11328,"children":11329},{},[11330],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11331,"children":11332},{},[11333],{"type":38,"value":11334},"Emergency Procedures",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11336,"children":11337},{},[11338],{"type":38,"value":11339},"Does the organization have a plan in case of a fire or other emergency?",{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":11341,"children":11343},{"id":11342},"_3-flexibility",[11344],{"type":38,"value":11345},"3.) FLEXIBILITY",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11347,"children":11348},{},[11349],{"type":38,"value":11350},"Every family’s schedule is different. Some of you are working full time and need 8-10 hours of daily childcare. Some of you are available during the day, but still want your kids involved in activities that challenge and socialize them. Find a summer camp program that fits your needs.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11352,"children":11353},{},[11354],{"type":38,"value":11355},"Oftentimes programs will have early drop-off or late pick-up programs that can help you extend the camp day if needed. Some camps also offer partial-week or half-day options for parents who work part time or stay at home. These options help you ensure that your tuition is optimized for your needs.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11357,"children":11358},{},[11359],{"type":38,"value":11360},"It’s also nice to find a program that offers lunch and snacks in case you have a busy morning and run out of time to prepare something.",{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":11362,"children":11364},{"id":11363},"_4-a-focus-on-personal-and-social-growth",[11365],{"type":38,"value":11366},"4.) A FOCUS ON PERSONAL AND SOCIAL GROWTH",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11368,"children":11369},{},[11370],{"type":38,"value":11371},"Finding an activity that interests your child is only part of the puzzle. Regardless of which program you select, your child is going to be in a new environment for an entire week or more. This is plenty of time for them to pick up bad habits from peers.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11373,"children":11374},{},[11375],{"type":38,"value":11376},"Make sure the program you select emphasizes character development, healthy relationships, respect, and discipline. Inappropriate behavior should be addressed immediately. Ask your provider how they address these types of situations. Do they have a discipline procedure? The website expandinglearning.org states that programs that do the following are the most effective for promoting personal and social growth.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11378,"children":11379},{},[11380],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11381,"children":11382},{},[11383],{"type":38,"value":11384},"Effective programs should help students:",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11386,"children":11387},{},[11388],{"type":38,"value":11389},"1.) Understand and manage emotions",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11391,"children":11392},{},[11393],{"type":38,"value":11394},"2.) Set and achieve positive goals",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11396,"children":11397},{},[11398],{"type":38,"value":11399},"3.) Feel and show empathy for others",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11401,"children":11402},{},[11403],{"type":38,"value":11404},"4.) Establish and maintain positive relationships",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11406,"children":11407},{},[11408],{"type":38,"value":11409},"5.) Make responsible decisions",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11411,"children":11412},{},[11413],{"type":38,"value":11414},"It’s important to ensure that incidents are addressed with conversations. Putting a student in time out is not an effective way to help students learn from their mistakes.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11416,"children":11417},{},[11418],{"type":33,"tag":57,"props":11419,"children":11420},{},[11421],{"type":38,"value":11422},"At Chess4Life, we strive to offer this experience for all of our customers. Please feel free to ask us how we accomplish these four objectives. Wherever your kids end up, we hope they have a safe and fun summer!",{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":11424},[11425,11426,11427,11428],{"id":11252,"depth":821,"text":11255},{"id":11273,"depth":821,"text":11276},{"id":11342,"depth":821,"text":11345},{"id":11363,"depth":821,"text":11366},"content:blog:4-indicators-of-a-great-summer-program.md","blog/4-indicators-of-a-great-summer-program.md",{"_path":11432,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":11433,"description":11434,"tags":11435,"seo":11441,"thumbnail":3574,"header":11443,"post_date":11444,"summary":11445,"body":11446,"_type":845,"_id":11673,"_source":847,"_file":11674,"_extension":849},"/blog/3-ways-to-achieve-your-best-results-at-state","3 WAYS TO ACHIEVE YOUR BEST RESULTS AT STATE!","1.) CHESS SKILL PREPARATION",[11436,11437,11438,11439,11440],"CHESS","CHESS PRACTICE","CHESS TOURNAMENT","STATE","TOURNAMENT PREPARATION",{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":11433,"description_tag":11442},"Make sure you're prepared for State by reading our pre-state chess practice tips as well as suggestions on how to prepare psychologically and physically.",{"title":11433,"bg_image":8},"2016-03-15T07:00:00.000Z","PRACTICE CHESS TACTICS AND PUZZLES\n\nWe recommend approximately 15 minutes per day, 5 days a week.\n\nREVIEW PAST TOURNAMENT GAMES\n\nReview the last 20-30 tournament games to refresh on where the student could improve or WOULD improve if playing the same game again.\n\nPRACTICE ENDGAMES\n\nSpend at least 30 minutes reviewing/practicing basic endgames/checkmates – preferably with 5 minutes on a chess clock against another person.\n\nDON’T CRAM\n\nAvoid spending the week before a tournament cramming on chess strategy.",{"type":30,"children":11447,"toc":11669},[11448,11452,11460,11465,11473,11478,11486,11491,11499,11504,11513,11521,11526,11534,11539,11547,11552,11560,11565,11574,11582,11587,11595,11600,11608,11613,11622,11627,11635,11640,11648,11653,11661],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11449,"children":11450},{},[11451],{"type":38,"value":11434},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11453,"children":11454},{},[11455],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11456,"children":11457},{},[11458],{"type":38,"value":11459},"PRACTICE CHESS TACTICS AND PUZZLES",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11461,"children":11462},{},[11463],{"type":38,"value":11464},"We recommend approximately 15 minutes per day, 5 days a week.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11466,"children":11467},{},[11468],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11469,"children":11470},{},[11471],{"type":38,"value":11472},"REVIEW PAST TOURNAMENT GAMES",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11474,"children":11475},{},[11476],{"type":38,"value":11477},"Review the last 20-30 tournament games to refresh on where the student could improve or WOULD improve if playing the same game again.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11479,"children":11480},{},[11481],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11482,"children":11483},{},[11484],{"type":38,"value":11485},"PRACTICE ENDGAMES",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11487,"children":11488},{},[11489],{"type":38,"value":11490},"Spend at least 30 minutes reviewing/practicing basic endgames/checkmates – preferably with 5 minutes on a chess clock against another person.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11492,"children":11493},{},[11494],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11495,"children":11496},{},[11497],{"type":38,"value":11498},"DON’T CRAM",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11500,"children":11501},{},[11502],{"type":38,"value":11503},"Avoid spending the week before a tournament cramming on chess strategy.",{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":11505,"children":11507},{"id":11506},"_2-physical-preparation",[11508],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11509,"children":11510},{},[11511],{"type":38,"value":11512},"2.) PHYSICAL PREPARATION",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11514,"children":11515},{},[11516],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11517,"children":11518},{},[11519],{"type":38,"value":11520},"REST",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11522,"children":11523},{},[11524],{"type":38,"value":11525},"Get a good night’s sleep before (and preferably be well rested that whole week).",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11527,"children":11528},{},[11529],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11530,"children":11531},{},[11532],{"type":38,"value":11533},"DRINK WATER",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11535,"children":11536},{},[11537],{"type":38,"value":11538},"Be well hydrated and drink plenty of water before the tournament and during the event (NOTE – be sure to use the restroom before each game!!).",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11540,"children":11541},{},[11542],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11543,"children":11544},{},[11545],{"type":38,"value":11546},"EAT HEALTHY FOOD",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11548,"children":11549},{},[11550],{"type":38,"value":11551},"Avoid sugar/candy/sweets during the event – eat some good carbs with some protein but do NOT overeat the day of the event. A good breakfast about 1-1.5 hours before the event is ideal, then eat lightly between rounds.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11553,"children":11554},{},[11555],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11556,"children":11557},{},[11558],{"type":38,"value":11559},"EXERCISE",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11561,"children":11562},{},[11563],{"type":38,"value":11564},"Do so both before the event, and between rounds – 5 minutes of fresh air (and if having trouble focusing during the game, take a short walk and do some ‘jumping jacks’ where it will not distract others).",{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":11566,"children":11568},{"id":11567},"_3-psychological-preparation",[11569],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11570,"children":11571},{},[11572],{"type":38,"value":11573},"3.) PSYCHOLOGICAL PREPARATION",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11575,"children":11576},{},[11577],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11578,"children":11579},{},[11580],{"type":38,"value":11581},"BE POSITIVE!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11583,"children":11584},{},[11585],{"type":38,"value":11586},"Expect to do well & come intending to give your VERY BEST EFFORT no matter the results! Remember that the ‘worst case scenario’ is that if you have the right attitude, you can Learn much from the event! (Remember “Win, Draw, Learn!!”)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11588,"children":11589},{},[11590],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11591,"children":11592},{},[11593],{"type":38,"value":11594},"ARRIVE EARLY",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11596,"children":11597},{},[11598],{"type":38,"value":11599},"Arriving just on time or late can increase the tension/pressure and lead to unnecessary mistakes.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11601,"children":11602},{},[11603],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11604,"children":11605},{},[11606],{"type":38,"value":11607},"AVOID A DEFEATIST ATTITUDE",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11609,"children":11610},{},[11611],{"type":38,"value":11612},"“I’m not ready.” “I’m afraid.” “I’m going to lose.” Generally what you think about and focus on is what your mind works to achieve – so if you are thinking that you are going to lose, subconsciously your mind is trying to help you achieve that result!! Instead, focus on Positive Self-talk such as “I’m going to take 2 minutes every move – I’m good at finding opportunities – I’m excited and ready to focus the whole game – I’m going to find some GREAT moves today!”",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11614,"children":11615},{},[11616,11621],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11617,"children":11618},{},[11619],{"type":38,"value":11620},"THINK ONLY ABOUT YOUR CURRENT POSITION",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11623,"children":11624},{},[11625],{"type":38,"value":11626},"Focus all thinking on your plan and finding the best move in the current position (And let the results take care of themselves!) Tip from my Dad when I was a young teenager competing – “If you find the best move each time, you end up winning. If you do this each game you don’t need to be concerned about ‘tiebreaks’ or what placing you will have – you’ll just be in first! So just focus on finding the best move Every move!”",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11628,"children":11629},{},[11630],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11631,"children":11632},{},[11633],{"type":38,"value":11634},"AVOID LOOKING UP OR ASKING FOR YOUR OPPONENT’S RATING.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11636,"children":11637},{},[11638],{"type":38,"value":11639},"This really only serves to distract you as ratings are distracting.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11641,"children":11642},{},[11643],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11644,"children":11645},{},[11646],{"type":38,"value":11647},"IMAGINE YOURSELF IN THE COMPETITION.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11649,"children":11650},{},[11651],{"type":38,"value":11652},"At least 5 minutes before each game, mentally imagine yourself in the competition already, thinking about WHY your opponent has made his/her move and figuring out if there are any threats – imagine also what your plan might be – attacking the king, attacking a weak pawn, etc – imagine yourself mentally in the game already, taking your time, focusing on the position….and then go to the board keeping this mental energy going – doing this will help you be focused right from the very first move!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11654,"children":11655},{},[11656],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11657,"children":11658},{},[11659],{"type":38,"value":11660},"STAY FOCUSED BETWEEN ROUNDS.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11662,"children":11663},{},[11664],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11665,"children":11666},{},[11667],{"type":38,"value":11668},"Between games in the tournament, try to stay focused – (see notes above regarding physical prep).",{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":11670},[11671,11672],{"id":11506,"depth":821,"text":11512},{"id":11567,"depth":821,"text":11573},"content:blog:3-ways-to-achieve-your-best-results-at-state.md","blog/3-ways-to-achieve-your-best-results-at-state.md",{"_path":11676,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":11677,"description":11678,"tags":11679,"seo":11680,"thumbnail":4732,"header":11684,"post_date":11444,"summary":11685,"body":11686,"_type":845,"_id":11808,"_source":847,"_file":11809,"_extension":849},"/blog/beginner-s-guide-to-state-what-to-expect","BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO STATE: WHAT TO EXPECT","ARRIVE EARLY!",[],{"estimated_reading_time":11681,"title_tag":11682,"description_tag":11683},"2 Minutes","Beginner's Guide to State: What to Expect - Chess4Life","This article provides insider tips on how to navigate the Washington State Elementary Chess Championships as a first timer.",{"title":11677,"bg_image":8},"With over 1,100 competitors at State, roughly 5,000 people are expected. Parking can be especially challenging if you arrive late. If possible, come on Friday and visit the event to acquaint yourself with the layout. There is free parking in the parking structure next to the Tacoma dome and a free light rail service that will transport you to the Convention Center. For more parking information, click HERE.",{"type":30,"children":11687,"toc":11802},[11688,11695,11708,11717,11731,11740,11745,11754,11771,11776,11785,11790],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11689,"children":11690},{},[11691],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11692,"children":11693},{},[11694],{"type":38,"value":11678},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11696,"children":11697},{},[11698,11700,11707],{"type":38,"value":11699},"With over 1,100 competitors at State, roughly 5,000 people are expected. Parking can be especially challenging if you arrive late. If possible, come on Friday and visit the event to acquaint yourself with the layout. There is free parking in the parking structure next to the Tacoma dome and a free light rail service that will transport you to the Convention Center. For more parking information, click ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11701,"children":11704},{"href":11702,"rel":11703},"http://washingtonstatechess.com/parking/",[496],[11705],{"type":38,"value":11706},"HERE",{"type":38,"value":70},{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":11709,"children":11711},{"id":11710},"find-your-seat",[11712],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11713,"children":11714},{},[11715],{"type":38,"value":11716},"FIND YOUR SEAT!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11718,"children":11719},{},[11720,11722,11729],{"type":38,"value":11721},"There should be plenty of seating at the Convention Center; however, visit the ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11723,"children":11726},{"href":11724,"rel":11725},"http://washingtonstatechess.com/team-tables-2/",[496],[11727],{"type":38,"value":11728},"State Website",{"type":38,"value":11730}," to find the location of your team’s table. Please note that seating plans will be posted no later than Thursday night!",{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":11732,"children":11734},{"id":11733},"know-the-schedule",[11735],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11736,"children":11737},{},[11738],{"type":38,"value":11739},"KNOW THE SCHEDULE!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11741,"children":11742},{},[11743],{"type":38,"value":11744},"Read the program for state carefully after you arrive and watch the round start times carefully – unlike many scholastic events, the state championship has fixed rounds. Normally there are no special announcements for the next round, so keep an eye on your watch to make sure that your child does not miss a round! Tip: sign up for text or email alerts if available so that you are notified as soon as your child’s next round is paired. Please note that fixed rounds do not apply to the Kindergarten section.",{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":11746,"children":11748},{"id":11747},"be-prepared-to-support-your-child",[11749],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11750,"children":11751},{},[11752],{"type":38,"value":11753},"BE PREPARED TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11755,"children":11756},{},[11757,11759,11769],{"type":38,"value":11758},"Parents – please read ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11760,"children":11763},{"href":11761,"rel":11762},"https://chess4life.wpengine.com/5-ways-to-prepare-and-play-your-best-at-state/",[496],[11764],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11765,"children":11766},{},[11767],{"type":38,"value":11768},"3 Ways to Achieve Your Best Results at State",{"type":38,"value":11770}," to help your child prepare. Above all, stay calm, even if you are unsure of where to go. This will help your child stay calm and focused on the games to be played.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11772,"children":11773},{},[11774],{"type":38,"value":11775},"Between games, please be sure to ONLY encourage your child even if he/she has lost a game or more. Criticism between games does NOT help your child recover and prepare for the next game. It is best to avoid going too in-depth regarding losses especially, but even wins – instead, try to help your child do the physical and mental preparation required for the next match. There will be plenty of time after the tournament is over, perhaps the following week, to review games in-depth (possibly with your child’s coach).",{"type":33,"tag":92,"props":11777,"children":11779},{"id":11778},"get-involved",[11780],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":11781,"children":11782},{},[11783],{"type":38,"value":11784},"GET INVOLVED!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11786,"children":11787},{},[11788],{"type":38,"value":11789},"The “Annual Coaches’ Meeting” is a meeting that is open to coaches AND parents. Elementary chess policies come up for a vote at this annual meeting. You can meet the representatives from your local region (other chess parents or coaches) who help ensure that elementary chess needs are being met. If you are really eager to make a difference, perhaps you can even become a representative for your area as part of the State Policy Board (no special qualifications needed beyond a willingness to help children through chess).",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11791,"children":11792},{},[11793,11795,11801],{"type":38,"value":11794},"There are also a number of volunteer opportunities at State. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up for a parent volunteer position ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11796,"children":11799},{"href":11797,"rel":11798},"http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4da9a922a6f94-volunteers",[496],[11800],{"type":38,"value":11706},{"type":38,"value":9925},{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":11803},[11804,11805,11806,11807],{"id":11710,"depth":821,"text":11716},{"id":11733,"depth":821,"text":11739},{"id":11747,"depth":821,"text":11753},{"id":11778,"depth":821,"text":11784},"content:blog:beginner-s-guide-to-state-what-to-expect.md","blog/beginner-s-guide-to-state-what-to-expect.md",{"_path":11811,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":11812,"description":11813,"tags":11814,"seo":11815,"thumbnail":5306,"header":11817,"post_date":11818,"summary":11819,"body":11820,"_type":845,"_id":11949,"_source":847,"_file":11950,"_extension":849},"/blog/elliott-goes-undefeated-at-100-board-simul","ELLIOTT GOES UNDEFEATED AT 100 BOARD SIMUL!","We want to give a big THANK YOU to all those who participated in the 100 board simul last weekend!",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":11812,"description_tag":11816},"Elliott Neff, CEO of Chess4Life, goes undefeated at 100 board simul chess tournament.",{"title":11812,"bg_image":8},"2015-10-22T07:00:00.000Z","We want to give a big THANK YOU to all those who participated in the 100 board simul last weekend!\n\n115 people ended up playing against Elliott which was a personal record for him in a simul. Play started around 12:20PM. In the end, Elliott drew 4 games and won the rest (NO LOSSES!!) The last game ended at 8:15PM, a total play time of about eight hours!",{"type":30,"children":11821,"toc":11947},[11822,11826,11831,11836,11899,11913,11918,11923,11928,11942],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11823,"children":11824},{},[11825],{"type":38,"value":11813},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11827,"children":11828},{},[11829],{"type":38,"value":11830},"115 people ended up playing against Elliott which was a personal record for him in a simul. Play started around 12:20PM. In the end, Elliott drew 4 games and won the rest (NO LOSSES!!) The last game ended at 8:15PM, a total play time of about eight hours!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11832,"children":11833},{},[11834],{"type":38,"value":11835},"We also want to thank all the sponsors of the event:",{"type":33,"tag":312,"props":11837,"children":11838},{},[11839,11851,11863,11875,11887],{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":11840,"children":11841},{},[11842,11849],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11843,"children":11846},{"href":11844,"rel":11845},"http://www.crossroadsbellevue.com/",[496],[11847],{"type":38,"value":11848},"Crossroads Bellevue",{"type":38,"value":11850}," who graciously donated the space and set up all the tables and chairs. Roz (the marketing manager) really went above and beyond to make that event happen for us.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":11852,"children":11853},{},[11854,11861],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11855,"children":11858},{"href":11856,"rel":11857},"http://www.unclesgames.com/",[496],[11859],{"type":38,"value":11860},"Uncle’s Games",{"type":38,"value":11862}," generously donated the $75 chess board for one of the winners. The players who drew (tied) their games with NM Elliott Neff were put in the drawing – congratulations to Daniel Shubin who won this board!",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":11864,"children":11865},{},[11866,11873],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11867,"children":11870},{"href":11868,"rel":11869},"https://www.hpb.com/",[496],[11871],{"type":38,"value":11872},"Half Price Books",{"type":38,"value":11874}," happily donated $60 worth of gift certificates for winners",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":11876,"children":11877},{},[11878,11885],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11879,"children":11882},{"href":11880,"rel":11881},"http://www.chesshouse.com/",[496],[11883],{"type":38,"value":11884},"ChessHouse.com",{"type":38,"value":11886}," came with 5 great prizes for winners (chess board/set/bag combinations) and yummy treats (chocolate bars!) for players in the simul.",{"type":33,"tag":231,"props":11888,"children":11889},{},[11890,11897],{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11891,"children":11894},{"href":11892,"rel":11893},"http://www.yogurt-land.com/",[496],[11895],{"type":38,"value":11896},"Yogurtland",{"type":38,"value":11898}," donated cards for participants for a free 10oz of frozen yogurt",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11900,"children":11901},{},[11902,11904,11911],{"type":38,"value":11903},"Calvin Lyons, executive director from ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11905,"children":11908},{"href":11906,"rel":11907},"http://www.positiveplace.org/",[496],[11909],{"type":38,"value":11910},"Boys and Girls Clubs King County",{"type":38,"value":11912}," was on hand to give Elliott a run for his money;)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11914,"children":11915},{},[11916],{"type":38,"value":11917},"As you may know, all proceeds for the event went to Boys and Girls Clubs King County to help bring the benefits of chess to as many kids as possible.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11919,"children":11920},{},[11921],{"type":38,"value":11922},"We raised $985 this year! It’s not too late to donate if you would like to be a part of helping positively impact kids lives through chess in Boys and Girls Clubs King County.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11924,"children":11925},{},[11926],{"type":38,"value":11927},"You can send checks to Chess4Life Bellevue at any time. (Just be sure to put the memo for Boys & Girls Clubs KC)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11929,"children":11930},{},[11931,11933,11940],{"type":38,"value":11932},"Please check out our ",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":11934,"children":11937},{"href":11935,"rel":11936},"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nomMBsNt9rM&feature=youtu.be",[496],[11938],{"type":38,"value":11939},"SIMUL VIDEO",{"type":38,"value":11941}," on YouTube.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11943,"children":11944},{},[11945],{"type":38,"value":11946},"Thank you again and we look forward to our next simul!",{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":11948},[],"content:blog:elliott-goes-undefeated-at-100-board-simul.md","blog/elliott-goes-undefeated-at-100-board-simul.md",{"_path":11952,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":11953,"description":11954,"tags":11955,"seo":11956,"thumbnail":11958,"header":11959,"post_date":11960,"summary":11954,"body":11961,"_type":845,"_id":12065,"_source":847,"_file":12066,"_extension":849},"/blog/chess4life-students-excel-at-state","CHESS4LIFE STUDENTS EXCEL AT STATE","Excitement buzzed in the air as hundreds of students and families flooded to downtown Seattle for the 2014 Washington State Elementary Championships. The tournament was held on the Seattle waterfront in Smith Cove Cruise Terminal, a two story building with 145,000 square feet of space. In addition to players and their families, numerous chess related organizations arrived up and gave support for the event including Pico Dragons, Chessplayer.com, ChessSport.com, and Chess4Life.",[],{"estimated_reading_time":7549,"title_tag":11953,"description_tag":11957},"Excitement buzzed in the air as hundreds of students and families flooded to downtown Seattle for the 2014 Washington State Elementary Championships. The tournament was held on the Seattle waterfront in Smith Cove Cruise Terminal, a two story building with 145,000 square feet of space. In addition to players and their families, numerous chess related […]","/uploads/chess-tournament-medal.jpeg",{"title":11953,"bg_image":8},"2015-05-13T07:00:00.000Z",{"type":30,"children":11962,"toc":12060},[11963,11967,11972,11977,11982,11987,11992,11997,12003,12008,12013,12018,12024,12029,12035,12040,12045,12050,12055],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11964,"children":11965},{},[11966],{"type":38,"value":11954},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11968,"children":11969},{},[11970],{"type":38,"value":11971},"Over 200 Chess4Life students participated, many of them placing in their grade sections against peers from all across the state. A few students placed particularly well, including Aaron Barnhart (Kindergarten, 5th place), Kimberly Ong (Kindergarten, 8th place), Winson Wan (Kindergarten, 9th place), Rushaan Mahajan (First Grade 4thplace), Miles Kuipers (First Grade, 3rd place), Tarik Kameric (Second Grade, 1st place), Ethan Pogrebinsky (Second Grade, 3rd place) Brandon Peng (Second Grade, 6thplace), Idan Uritzky (second grade, 9th place), Alec Beck (Third Grade, 1st place) Tendo Lumala (Third Grade, 7th place), Isaac Zhang (Third Grade, 10th place), Neil Chowdhury (Fourth Grade, 1st place), Everett Wang (Fourth Grade, 2nd place), Richard Yang (Fifth Grade, 2nd place), Anata Ranganathan (Fifth Grade, 5th place) Freya Gulamali (Fifth Grade, 8th place), Patrick Peng (Fifth Grade 10th place), and Lorenzo Patton Jr. (Sixth Grade, 7th place), and many more!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11973,"children":11974},{},[11975],{"type":38,"value":11976},"While many students came to compete, some were happy just to participate and learn. “I’m proud of my son for being here,” said one Chess4Life father, waiting on the upper floor for his son to finish a game below. “It takes guts to participate in something this big, with such great young chess players!” The mood on the playing floor reflected the old adage ‘win, draw, learn,’ as every child came off the floor with smiles on their faces, regardless of game results. Many students came to the Chess4Life booth for in depth game analysis with a coach.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11978,"children":11979},{},[11980],{"type":38,"value":11981},"“My first game went really well,” said Bellevue student Eashver Elango with a huge grin, “even though I lost my second game.”",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11983,"children":11984},{},[11985],{"type":38,"value":11986},"Other students also expressed enthusiasm with their results. “I’ve won both of my games so far!” said Kevin Yang, “and I plan to keep on winning!”",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11988,"children":11989},{},[11990],{"type":38,"value":11991},"In addition to sponsoring the event, Chess4Life provided assistance on the event floor, and featured two booths by the doors to help welcome visitors on the way in. In addition, the company provided a shuttling service for students and parents, sparing them the walk from the distant parking lot to the event center.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":11993,"children":11994},{},[11995],{"type":38,"value":11996},"With the rousing success Chess4Life students were met with this year, it’s exciting to see how well our Nationals team in May will do in in Dallas, Texas!",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":11998,"children":12000},{"id":11999},"norman-rockwell-building-a-chess-legacy",[12001],{"type":38,"value":12002},"NORMAN ROCKWELL: BUILDING A CHESS LEGACY",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12004,"children":12005},{},[12006],{"type":38,"value":12007},"Rockwell, an ever growing chess club, is located in the Lake Washington School District. With ninety plus students, the continued growth of the program is credited to the direct involvement of parents and constant promotion by the PTA. Rockwell has set the bar high by encouraging parents to take part in chess club by assisting in check-in/check-out and actively listening to the lessons provided by Chess4Life Coaches. Students often talk about getting to practice the topics and lessons covered in class at home. With this level of parent involvement, it’s no wonder the club is filled week after week with students excited and ready to learn more about chess.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12009,"children":12010},{},[12011],{"type":38,"value":12012},"The coaches at Rockwell set an atmosphere catering to both the advanced player and all the way down to a brand new chess player. They focus on finding goals for the club based what the students need, determined by their groups’ playing ability and interest in chess. These goals are what helps advanced players feel challenged week after week, and keeps the beginners come back ready to learn new and exciting chess topics. The coaches at Rockwell are Coach Dale (on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday), Coach Patrick (Monday), Coach Hristo (Friday), and Coach Rob (Friday). Each coach brings a unique chess background to the table and gives a great personal touch to the Chess4Life program.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12014,"children":12015},{},[12016],{"type":38,"value":12017},"Few schools embody what it takes to build a lasting chess legacy, but Norman Rockwell is among those few. With a love of chess from students, parents ready and willing to step in and take part of the club, and a strong support from the PTA, Rockwell has set the foundation for a great chess program for years to come. It is a pleasure and privilege for Chess4Life to be a part of this program and we look forward to being part of this legacy for years to come.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":12019,"children":12021},{"id":12020},"chess-puzzle-unconventional-checkmate-in-one",[12022],{"type":38,"value":12023},"CHESS PUZZLE: UNCONVENTIONAL CHECKMATE IN ONE",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12025,"children":12026},{},[12027],{"type":38,"value":12028},"((Answer: Advance your pawn at E7 and promote it to a knight))",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":12030,"children":12032},{"id":12031},"final-chance-to-join-the-nationals-team-bound-for-dallas-texas",[12033],{"type":38,"value":12034},"FINAL CHANCE TO JOIN THE NATIONALS TEAM BOUND FOR DALLAS, TEXAS!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12036,"children":12037},{},[12038],{"type":38,"value":12039},"If you would like your child to learn great teamwork, sportsmanship, perseverance, while having an incredible experience of personal mentorship and encouragement, this can be a life-changing event for your child of ANY skill level, whether in the championship section vying for the national title or competing in one of the rating restricted or even unrated/first-time player sections!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12041,"children":12042},{},[12043],{"type":38,"value":12044},"With a coaching team headed up by Chess4Life Founder and National Master Elliott Neff, you are invited to join the long-standing tradition of excellence and learning life through the National Championships Event.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12046,"children":12047},{},[12048],{"type":38,"value":12049},"Who is eligible: Any student Grades Pre-K through 6th grade, all skill levels welcome!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12051,"children":12052},{},[12053],{"type":38,"value":12054},"Dates: May 9-11 Location: Dallas, TX",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12056,"children":12057},{},[12058],{"type":38,"value":12059},"Spaces are extremely limited, so sign up today before it’s too late!",{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":12061},[12062,12063,12064],{"id":11999,"depth":829,"text":12002},{"id":12020,"depth":829,"text":12023},{"id":12031,"depth":829,"text":12034},"content:blog:chess4life-students-excel-at-state.md","blog/chess4life-students-excel-at-state.md",{"_path":12068,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":12069,"description":12070,"tags":12071,"seo":12075,"thumbnail":12078,"header":12079,"post_date":11960,"summary":12070,"body":12080,"_type":845,"_id":12189,"_source":847,"_file":12190,"_extension":849},"/blog/phiona-mutesi-the-queen-of-katwe-visits-chess4life-students","PHIONA MUTESI, THE “QUEEN OF KATWE,” VISITS CHESS4LIFE STUDENTS","On April 24th, Chess4life played host to Phiona Mutesi, a young girl with a powerful story of success and inspiration. While visiting, she spoke to students, told her story, and even took the time to play some games with children while teaching them to think positively and have confidence in their own abilities. Phiona’s youth gave her the ability to relate to students easily, allowing her to connect with them and earn a positive response.",[12072,12073,12074],"Childhood","Dance","Music",{"estimated_reading_time":10316,"title_tag":12076,"description_tag":12077},"Phiona Mutesi, the \"Queen of Katwe,\" Visits Chess4Life Students - Chess4Life","On April 24th, Chess4life played host to Phiona Mutesi, a young girl with a powerful story of success and inspiration. While visiting, she spoke to students, told her story, and even took the time to play some games with children while teaching them to think positively and have confidence in their own abilities. Phiona’s youth […]","/uploads/services2.jpeg",{"title":12069,"bg_image":8},{"type":30,"children":12081,"toc":12186},[12082,12086,12091,12096,12110,12115,12120,12126,12131,12136,12141,12146,12151,12161,12166,12171,12176,12181],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12083,"children":12084},{},[12085],{"type":38,"value":12070},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12087,"children":12088},{},[12089],{"type":38,"value":12090},"Phiona was born and raised in Katwe, a slum in the city of Kampala, Uganda, where she first learned to play chess in a sports outreach program. Since then, she has grown and risen up to become one of the greatest chess players in Uganda, winning the country’s National Chess Championship in 2010.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12092,"children":12093},{},[12094],{"type":38,"value":12095},"Phiona’s first game of chess was played out of desperation. A missionary chess coach named Robert Katende offered a free bowl of porridge to any child that would learn to play from him. Phiona practiced daily with him, and her skills flourished. Katende still works with Phiona today, coaching her and accompanying her on her travels.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12097,"children":12098},{},[12099,12101,12108],{"type":38,"value":12100},"In 2010 Tim Crothers, former Sports Illustrated writer, published a book about Phiona’s endeavors called “",{"type":33,"tag":150,"props":12102,"children":12105},{"href":12103,"rel":12104},"http://www.amazon.com/The-Queen-Katwe-Triumphant-Becoming/dp/145165782X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400875839&sr=8-1&keywords=queen+of+katwe",[496],[12106],{"type":38,"value":12107},"The Queen of Katwe: One Girl’s Triumphant Path to Becoming a Chess Champion",{"type":38,"value":12109},".” The book proved to be his most popular yet, and is rumored to be getting the Disney treatment in an upcoming movie.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12111,"children":12112},{},[12113],{"type":38,"value":12114},"Chess4Life was one of many stops for Phiona, a trip that included meeting with the Gates Foundation as well as the Disney producers among many others. Her tour lasted 33 days starting April 19th, and ending May 20th. Her trip took her all across the country from California to Washington D.C, and each stop gave her an opportunity to share chess with children of all experience levels.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12116,"children":12117},{},[12118],{"type":38,"value":12119},"Phiona’s story proves how chess can change lives. It shows us how even a poor, nine year old child from one of the poorest place on Earth can learn to think strategically and plan ahead, giving her the opportunity to flourish into an international icon for the poor and oppressed of the world.",{"type":33,"tag":364,"props":12121,"children":12123},{"id":12122},"chess4life-team-excels-at-nationals-in-dallas",[12124],{"type":38,"value":12125},"CHESS4LIFE TEAM EXCELS AT NATIONALS IN DALLAS",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12127,"children":12128},{},[12129],{"type":38,"value":12130},"On May 9th, Chess4Life founder Elliott Neff took a group of Chess4Life students to Dallas, Texas to participate in the K-6 National Championships. The trip was difficult with weather causing transportation problems, but ultimately the team arrived in time to play with impressive results. Ten team members earned trophies in their subdivisions, even though many were faced with overwhelming odds.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12132,"children":12133},{},[12134],{"type":38,"value":12135},"Though every Chess4Life player showed great improvement, Vignesh Anand (NWSC rating 1439) and Kevin Nam (NWSC rating 1344) took center stage with their success in the unrated K-6 category. Vignesh tied for 1st place in his division earning 6 ½ points, meaning that he won six games and drew another, while Kevin achieved 3rd place earning 6 points, drawing against none other than Vignesh in the sixth round.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12137,"children":12138},{},[12139],{"type":38,"value":12140},"Also worth noting is Odle Middle School’s team, which took 17th place in the K-6 team championship section with only three players, a player down compared to other teams in attendance. On an even more impressive note, Redmond Middle School’s team earned 21st place with only two out of four players!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12142,"children":12143},{},[12144],{"type":38,"value":12145},"Each Chess4Life player scored at least three points. “That’s very good for Nationals,” said Elliott Neff. Regardless of wins or losses though, all players showed considerable improvement. “They really learned to take their time and to learn from each game. To do their best, to stay focused, to look for opportunities, and throughout the tournament process I saw tremendous progress in the students. We tracked their usage of time and how many opportunities they had and it worked.”",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12147,"children":12148},{},[12149],{"type":38,"value":12150},"Congratulations to the success of all our Nationals participants! Your improvements have been noticed, and we’re sure you’ll do even better next year!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12152,"children":12153},{},[12154,12156,12159],{"type":38,"value":12155},"Chess4Life Students Represent their State in Annual WA vs. BC Tournament",{"type":33,"tag":8580,"props":12157,"children":12158},{},[],{"type":38,"value":12160},"\nOn May 3, 2014, Chess4Life students headed up to Vancouver B.C. for a chance to defend the state’s honor in a match against students from the BC Scholastic Chess Team and the annual Washington versus British Columbia chess tournament. Though the Washington students were not able to secure victory, the tournament was a great learning experience for all involved!",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12162,"children":12163},{},[12164],{"type":38,"value":12165},"Team BC certainly deserved the honors – they turned out with nearly all of their top players in all grades (only 2 of their top 26 players required substitutes), while Team Washington struggled with conflicting schedules and a large number of their highest rated players unable to attend.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12167,"children":12168},{},[12169],{"type":38,"value":12170},"The first round ended 20 to 6 in BC’s favor, but in the second round Team Washington improved to 16 to 10. The final result was 36-16 in Team BC’s favor.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12172,"children":12173},{},[12174],{"type":38,"value":12175},"Due to issues getting many of Chess4Life’s highest rated players to the event, Richard Yang and Sangeeta Dhingra played up into Grade 12 as none of the senior players were present. Yang held his own for one of the longest games in the first round against the #1 BC team player–rated close to 2400–and nearly achieved trapping his opponents’ rook, eventually ‘learning’ in a long, complicated endgame. Perhaps this helped tire his opponent, as Dhingra played white against the same player later and achieved a much better position with a strong knight outpost, better pawn structure, and multiple feasible plans. Dhingra elected to win an exchange (giving up knight to win a rook); however this gave her opponent a strong counterplay option which proved to be too much.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12177,"children":12178},{},[12179],{"type":38,"value":12180},"The Washington vs BC International Scholastic Chess Match has been an annual event since 1991, with hosting switching off between teams each year. Chess4Life founder Elliott Neff took over Washington’s part in the event’s organization seven years ago when its prior coordinator stepped down. Since then, Chess4Life has hosted the event every other year in Washington, providing players with a focused, chess-centered location to compete at.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":12182,"children":12183},{},[12184],{"type":38,"value":12185},"Though Washington lost the trophy this year, the opportunity to expose new, younger players to a higher level of competition was invaluable and sure to impact their growth in skill in anticipation for next year. Hopefully when The BC Scholastic team brings the trophy to us next year, they’ll be leaving it.",{"title":8,"searchDepth":821,"depth":821,"links":12187},[12188],{"id":12122,"depth":829,"text":12125},"content:blog:phiona-mutesi-the-queen-of-katwe-visits-chess4life-students.md","blog/phiona-mutesi-the-queen-of-katwe-visits-chess4life-students.md",1785619090509]