U.S. Chess Center: 2023-2024 Chess Classes & Clubs REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Our online classes are live and interactive with a certified chess coach; we do not use videos. Lessons are designed to help students develop confidence without boring them, and students are encouraged to share their ideas and questions with their group. This class is for children at the upper intermediate level or higher. The lessons for players at this level still involve tactics like forks and pins, but the exercises here usually involve planning two, three, or more moves ahead to set them up. At this level, we expect the students to be considering each move carefully and looking for opportunities to take advantage of mistakes. Some children in this class will have experience playing competitively and may do tactical and endgame exercises at a level where even adult tournament players of normal strength would be challenged. Each online class is 60 minutes, once a week from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm ET (UTC -5). Each class has 20-30 minutes of instruction via Zoom and 30-40 minutes of supervised play via Lichess.

Register for Online Chess Class at: https://chessctr.org/online/

SATURDAY CHESS KIDS for Students in Grades K-6 (in-person).

Chess Kids, which has been operating since the U.S. Chess Center’s founding, is an individualized, highly structured program for students in Grades K – 6 that meets on Saturdays from 10:00 am – 11:30 am over four-weeks per session. It is designed to foster an interest in chess among those who may be too young to be able to handle the complex abstract concepts involved with serious chess, and to generate enthusiasm for those who are ready for the full game. We want kids to grow with others of the same age and have them form friendships as they improve their skills. They learn that improving at the game is the fun part, not winning. So long as they are trying to do their best they will improve (win or lose). Chess Kids students are placed in groups based on their ability and everyone plays games each week and receives lessons. Students are welcome to register for multiple sessions as lessons for each group build from the previous lessons. Through Chess Kids, we make learning chess fun!

Register for Saturday Chess Kids at: https://chessctr.org/chesskids

THEOPHILUS THOMPSON CHESS CLUB for Students in Grades 7-12.

The Theophilus Thompson Chess Club (previously Sunday Chess) is a weekly class on Sunday from 1:30pm – 5:00pm ET. The class meets in-person on the second floor of 1340 Old Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101 (Map). Our teachers provide instruction to beginners and help improve the strategy of experienced tournament players. Sometimes we play with students from other places or have exhibitions with internationally titled players. We have had Internet matches with students from China, Czech Republic, Iceland, Montenegro, Norway, Spain, Ukraine, and Zambia and have hosted teams visiting Washington from a variety of states. Groups of our students have played in the World Amateur Team Championship (most of our teams have won prizes) and we took several young people on a great chess trip to Cuba (which we hope to do again in the next few years). Lessons are challenging for all players. Students must also be members of the U.S. Chess Federation. We play nationally rated games most weeks.

Register for Theophilus Thompson Chess Club at: https://chessctr.org/classes/ttc/

AFTER-SCHOOL CHESS CLUBS for students in grades 2-6.

Since 1993, the U.S. Chess Center has been running chess clubs in elementary schools throughout the national capital region. Check our list of active/upcoming after-school clubs here; or ask your PTA/PTO to contact us about starting a club at your school. In our after-school chess clubs, players are grouped by ability, not age. We teach the rules to beginners and strategy to experienced players. Chess teaches responsibility, discipline, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Chess players learn how to make the most of their opportunities and how to turn a bad situation to their advantage. They learn not to make excuses for their setbacks, and to win and lose graciously. All instructors are certified chess coaches.

Find an After-School Chess Club near you at: https://chessctr.org/classes/after-school/