Our principal has shown interest in creating a chess class at our high school. It would be an elective. Do any of you know of any similar programs at your schools? Any and all information will help, especially someone from Missouri.
Most are activity periods that I remember going through school, along with it as an after-school activity.
I think if you are serious about it, you should make sure you have an instructor to actually teach the class and not become a baby sitter while kids just play all day.
Having a great structure or getting a chess book to study would be an excellent way to get the best out of the class.
Ideally, you want to define whether this class is for beginners, starting with the rules, then going a little deeper into basic strategy and tactics, etc.
Or you have to make the class for intermediate/advanced for people who already have experience playing the game.
Unfortunately it is difficult to have a chess class for players of all levels. If there is enough interest, I guess two separate classes can be created. Anyone over 1500 rating could probably teach beginning players, but to have a more advanced class, you would probably want to get someone with previous teaching experience (preferably a master or stronger) because you have to be careful so that the instructor does not teach any incorrect information. I’ve seen several class B players who privately coach scholastic players and taking them to tournaments, but often the coach ends up trying to teach his student something that he does not even fully understand. Even at the class A and expert levels I do not believe that these players should be teaching anyone other than absolute beginners the rules. Masters tend to have a good understanding of all the chess concepts, but an FM or an IM is even better. (A GM would be great if you can find someone willing to teach intermediate high school players).
I somewhat disagree.
Even 1500 players need to be restructured and throw out their foundation. Most scholastic players learned on their own or from someone else. Once the basic knowledge of learning how the pieces move, you can instruct both the beginners and amature players by rebuilding the student’s foundation.
If you read Jeremy Silman’s “Reassess Your Chess”, you’ll understand what I’m talking about. He says that players who are even 1600 have a poor foundation and will only exceed to a certain level. When you learn by teaching yourself, you learn bad habits which prevent you from preceeding to the next level.
This is the case for most player who will never achieve the goal of having an unlimited rating.
But that depends on if this is a normal weekly class or just a basic activity. I highly recommend reading the first few pages of that book.
Yes, I do know what you are talking about thunderchicken. Silman gives and example of an adult player who learns chess by himself and reaches a plateau at the expert level, which he can never break, because his thought process and foundation are flawed.
You also said that because of these bad habits, people reach a limit. The truth is, that unless you have some special talent from chess, most people do get stuck somewhere around 2200 (even after playing tournament chess for decades) and never improve from there. First of all, without a teacher who specificly identifies your problems, you probably won’t ever reach the IM or GM ranks. Even with a qualified private instructor, without talent, most people still won’t ever reach that level. The average Joe Bloe from Idaho will only improve to a certain level, no matter how good his basics and foundations are. Heck, even ten grandmasters could become his personal advisors and Joe may not ever become an FM.
Now occaisionally, there are those chess prodigys (both children and young adults) that have so much talent. They aren’t very hard to identify. Usually, they have little experience, but play brilliantly and make rapid progress. A good example is Joshua Waitzkin, from the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer. Josh first learned at the age of six on the streets of New York, from a wide variety of people, including junkies and bums who played blitz games for money. They taught him their extremely aggresive methods and intuitive styles. This certainly does not fit into what Silman probably considers a solid, classical foundation. Josh quickly defeated all the scholastic players in NY and became an expert at age 10. Here he suffered a plateau of improvement. His rating hovered at 2100 for about two years. When he finally did become a master, his rating shoots up to 2500 and he becomes an IM.
Though I have no idea what might have exactly happened, during those two years when he was a 2100, I’m guessing that he had to completely change his game just like Silman was saying. But Waitzkin was so talented and had so much potential. For the person of average intelligence and average chess talent, expert or master might very well be the top of their limit.
Yes; a FIDE Master, or International Master would be grand for a coach. Would let IM Ben Finegold know that someone wants to use his service for the 180 day school year, at $55 a hour that would be (180 days/hours x $55.00 = $9,900.00 per school year) $9,900.00. Not sure the cost of FM Fred Lindsay would be, it still will break the budget.
Number of people when it comes to chess think that experts and masters are a dime a dozen. Most USCF coachs are not or will not be a active member of the federation, even if the coach does become a active member: does not mean they will have a rating.
When people think of scholastic chess, or plan to run scholastic tournaments, or going to be a scholastic chess coach: this dream of finding the next “Bobby Fisher” is always on their mind. Why not teach chess to the scholastic players, for the enjoyment of the scholastic players. Not for the dreams of the parents, not the dreams of the scholastic chess coach – only for the dreams of the scholastic chess players.
If the scholastic player has the drive, then let them find the titled players to be the teacher. If they only have a weak rating, that is fine, as they do have the skill and drive for this level. If they have the drive to be just what they are, then let them be what they are. If they have the drive to chase after rating points, then let them find the stronger players to be the teacher.
All that this school can do, is show them the basic art of chess. Most or all the students will never have this drive for the game of chess. After the school year, and when they leave the school system, most will never enter a over-the-board tournament. The true act of showing enjoyment, is when they drive to the tournament, not when their parent(s) drive them to the tournament.
If that school produces 2200 players, that would be an accomplishment. I’m just basing my recent experience that I have learned quite a bit just by one book, not someone who would be a teacher teaching you right moves. 
I appreciate your responses! I have built our chess program up from scratch. We have just received approval to make the chess club official. The new principal is very supportive, and instantly gravitated to my suggestion for a chess elective. I have already determined it will be a beginner’s course, with perhaps a second semester of Advanced Beginners. That is certainly all I feel qualified to instruct. I wish to share the love of the game that we all have, but also take advantage of the academic benefits of chess, which many studies have proven.
My main reason for this post, is that the principal has asked me to gather as much persuasive information as possible to take to the school board. I have the studies and the interest that already exists within our school, but it would be great to say so-and-so has this same program at their school. At this stage, it appears that actual chess classes are hard to find.
I think you need to take the approach that it will be a taught class and not just playing a game all year.
I still recommend you require Silman’s “Reassess your chess” book and make it required study material and base tests off of material in the book with chess terms and so forth so students don’t take the class as a “free ride”.
eg: “Hey I’m going to take Mr. SoSo’s class. I know how to play chess, so I’ll just go there and play and get an A.”
Oak, I’ve used How to Beat Your Dad at Chess and Chess Tactics for Kids, both from Gambit Books and authored by GM Chandler to good effect with my beginners at my club.
Good Luck,
AJG
I suggest you take a look at this link:
He is here in Missouri, and has secured funding from the Kaufmann Foundation for bringing chess into schools. I don’t know if he has formal classes like you are getting, but it’s pretty close to it. At least his program is getting into the schools (called, “Be Your Best–Play Chess”) and his students are gaining recognition around here as being highly motivated.
Radishes
Once again my continued thanks to everyone. I am finding all of this information very useful!
The Oak:
First is finding the budget for the chess sets and boards. The club special is not the best chess set around, as it will be fine for the school chess club, and the abuse of any player. Even teaching or having the students play chess, the ‘chess set’ will come into play. Order the same color board, never order the ‘red board’ as this board is non-standard. Find the budget for 15 sets and boards, the demo board (for teaching) will be a must also. The ‘chess clock’ should have one during the first school year, as the clock is a great teaching tool.
Thank You! My name is Lucas by the way. Fortunately, through my efforts to get community sponsorship, I already have 9 club sets. So funding costs should not be too high the first year. I have my own clock, that we can start with, and hopefully add a couple a year.
Does anyone know of a resource to find curriculum for such a course?
Lucas,
I am glad you are trying to bring chess into high schools. I only wish that other students would have an open attitude and try to at least learn the game rather than refusing to play at all because it is “corny” or “nerdy”. I actually have quite a reputation as a weightlifter 
but some of the other kids in our chess club get ridiculed quite often by the bullies because they are “losers”, etc. This upsets me very much, but little can be done about it until more and more people are exposed to the game.
On the subject of other schools with chess classes, I’ve heard of a school called Dalton School in New York. I do not know much about it, but they do have chess in their curriculum. Unfortunately, I don’t have any info I can give you, but it’s probably worth a try to contact them. Maybe their chess coordinator/teacher will have some advice for you.
Also, Thunderchicken’s suggestion of using Silman’s Reasses Your Chess is interesting, but the material is way too difficult for beginners and even the less experienced intermediate players. That book covers material for people with tournament experience, which probably isn’t too useful for people who have just learned how pieces move, and are fascinated by the scholar’s mate (4-move checkmate). A better choice would be to get a demonstration board and plan your own lessons, or use an easier book, such as Yasser Seirawan’s Play Winning Chess.
Good Luck Lucas.
uschess.org/scholastic/sc-promo.php
uschess.org/scholastic/sc-research.html
uschess.org/scholastic/2003SCguide.pdf
info.ex.ac.uk/~dregis/DR/coaching.html
Hope these links help!
Sara
Sara, I posted a reply in a new thread at: uschess.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=173
Thanks for the good info.
You should take a look at John Bain’s material. You can find it at the USCF store. He has workbooks for students that can be used as curricula, and in fact has used it in schools. He aims mostly at beginners and advanced beginners, but it will get you started. I’ve even used some of his techniques found in “Learn To Play Chess in 3 Hours or Less” in some of my advanced classes.
As for more advanced players, you might want to develop your own material so you can adapt it as needed, something else I do. And don’t forget you can always check out chess books at your local book store and the library to see what they have.
Good luck!
Radishes
I got Silman’s books and Chandler’s books at the local mega-bookstore (Borders or B&N). Chandler is for the kids to improve thier chess, Silman is for you to improve yours! I convert the Chandler puzzles to *.pgn and display them one ply at a time on my PC projector. This way we have a little lesson before each tournament. My meetings usually consist of a lesson and a QUAD (several sections).
Sara, all those links given above are great! I’ve used some of those in the past. In fact, one of them (the *.pdf?) mentions the Harkness System for creating a club ladder board and ratings. FYI, I modified Harkness thusly:
calcpage.tripod.com/bhcc/ladderrules.htm
Goog Luck,
AJG
The Oak:
Find the local chess club in the area, the local membership will not have a problem with helping the school chess club. The more advanced or the older students will be in both chess clubs. Find out what help you can get from the local chess club, as the friendship between the two will work for both parties.
The 2004 - 2005 school year will be the hard part, as each community has different wants and needs: growth only happens with trial and error. During the 2005 - 2006 school year, you could be set up with a good team. The team is only as good if other schools in the district, or the schools in the other districts have a team also. This would be the main reason to build a friendship with the local chess club: as the club will be within a number of school districts.