How To Get Started With Scholastic Chess

Scholastic chess is hugely popular all over the world, with millions of students learning the game and competing in tournaments every year. The sport first took off domestically in the 1970s as a result of the “Fischer boom” triggered by Bobby Fischer's 1972 World Championship victory and saw another surge in 2020 following the release of Netlfix’s award-winning series “The Queen’s Gambit”. 

So what does scholastic chess involve, and how can you get your child started in a program? Here’s everything you need to know to help your child begin their journey towards their first checkmate. 

• How scholastic chess works

• Types of programs and how to find one

• Preparing for the first club meeting

• Home study

• Tournaments

How Scholastic Chess Works

The term “scholastic chess” refers to chess clubs, tournaments, and other activities for K-12 students and other players age 20 or younger. These clubs typically entail weekly meetings where students study elements of the game under the guidance of an experienced coach before facing off against peers in a handful of practice matches. Lesson content and structure vary from club to club, but all scholastic programs design their curriculums to make the material as accessible as possible to young players. 

In the tournament realm, hundreds of scholastic events are held across the country every year. Most standard tournaments accept players of all ages, but scholastic tournaments are limited to youth players. 

Finding A Chess Program

There are two types of scholastic chess classes: in-person and online. While in-person classes are the most traditional venue for chess study, online classes have seen tremendous growth in the past several years and offer their own advantages and benefits to students. 

In-Person Chess Clubs

Chess organizations across the country host weekly scholastic clubs at local schools, rec centers, and other venues. These may be national groups like the National Scholastic Chess Foundation, regional groups like the St. Louis or Nashville Chess Clubs, or educational entities like Silver Knights. 

If you’re interested in finding a local in-person club for your child to join, first check your child’s school to see if they offer chess as an after-school activity–a growing number of schools do. A second option is to conduct a web search for “[closest metropolitan area] chess club” and browse the website of the nearest chess club in your region to see what scholastic options they have available.

Though your child’s school may not have a club of its own, there may be a program at a local community center, library, or another public site for them to enroll in. Here are some useful resources for finding a club near you:

• USCF club and affiliate directory

• Community chess programs offered through the National Scholastic Chess Foundation

Located in Virginia, Maryland, or Washington D.C.? Silver Knights may host a club in your neighborhood. We run hundreds of clubs, camps, and tournaments in the region and add new sites every year. Find your county on the in-person chess clubs section of our website to see what we have on offer in your community. 

Online Chess Clubs

For students with busy schedules, a lack of local in-person opportunities, or other challenges that make over-the-board instruction difficult, online classes can be a great alternative. They can also offer students who have outgrown their in-person chess clubs an avenue for continued development.

Our online chess Academy program features hand-designed curriculums for all skill levels and a roster of expert coaches trained to help any student find the fun in chess, whether they’re learning piece movement or preparing for a national tournament.

Not sure if online lessons are the right fit for your child? No problem. Try a commitment-free trial chess class for just $5.

Preparing For the First Meeting

While no prior knowledge is necessary for your child to join a chess club, an introduction to the basics can give them a head start on day one. If you play chess, consider introducing your child to the board, pieces, and names of the ranks, files, and squares. For parents who don’t play chess, there are a number of online resources that can offer the same education. A few we recommend are:

• FunMasterMike’s videos on YouTube

• ChessKid’s How to Play Chess series on YouTube

• ActivityVillage’s child-friendly PDF guide to chess basics

Another way to help your child get started on the right foot is to purchase a chess set for home use. A basic chess set can cost as low as $7, but the average set tends to run between $15-30, depending on its features. Choosing a set that includes your child’s favorite colors or characters (like a Minecraft or Harry Potter-themed set) can be a fun way to help pique their interest in the game. 

Helping Your Child Thrive

Once your child has begun to take classes, set them up for success by having them practice the concepts they learned at home. Practice is critical to progress in chess, particularly through regular gameplay. Students are often excited to share their newfound knowledge with family and friends – or try to use it as an advantage to snag a win – so give your child a chance to review the material by asking them to demonstrate that week’s lesson concepts for you on a chess board.

Alternatively, you can simply challenge your child to a few games every week and have them try to apply the lesson material that way. No matter what, any extra chess your child can squeeze in will be to their benefit. 

Outside of games, chess puzzles are a great way for players of any age to sharpen their skills. ChessKid, chess.com, and Lichess are all good resources for online practice. If you’d prefer a physical workbook, there are a number of kids’ puzzle books to choose from. The House of Staunton offers a large selection of titles for a range of skill levels. 

Scholastic Chess Tournaments

If your child enjoys chess club, consider signing them up for a tournament. Any child with knowledge of how the pieces move and the ability to get a checkmate can enter. Children are typically sorted into sections (groups) by age and rating, then paired up against other children in that section to ensure all opponents are as evenly matched as possible. Read more about how these groupings work in our scholastic chess tournament sections guide.

Tournaments have a strict behavior code and require solid sportsmanship, so you should prepare your child for the expectations of the environment before the big day. Games are played in total silence, and all players are expected to shake hands with their opponent at the end of each game whether they win or lose. Most tournaments also require the use of chess clocks and scoring sheets, so your child will need to be familiarized with those before they play.

Silver Knights offers handy chess tournament prep classes that go over all of this and more with students ahead of their first match. Our recent blog post on tips for scholastic chess tournaments also has some great suggestions on ways to get your child ready to compete. 

For beginners in our local area (Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.), Silver Knights hosts clock and score sheet-free sections at a number of tournaments each year, making it easy for new players to try out the tournament experience without having to worry about anything beyond the borders of the chess board. To find a Silver Knights tournament near you, check out our list of upcoming chess events for dates and registration info.

Final Thoughts on Scholastic Chess

Whether your child wants to be a casual player or a future world champion, scholastic chess has something to offer them. Many students take chess classes for years without ever entering a tournament, and others are eager to jump into competition right away. No matter how your child chooses to enjoy the game, remember that the most important thing is that they have fun with it.