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WHAT IS THE YES FOR CHESS ACADEMY
The Yes For Chess Academy is an online program where students have an all-access pass to learn as much chess as they would like throughout the week. This online academy is open to all students for different skill levels. Some classes will focus on the fundamentals, while some classes will be in-depth analysis led by an international master.
Students are not required to attend each day! The academy schedule is built to provide flexibility for changing schedules and different chess skill levels. Families can view the lesson plans on our online calendar and choose which classes and game times work for them. If students want to attend each activity, they are welcome to do so.
WHY DID YOU CHANGE THE FORMAT?
We are all rethinking how we teach, learn, and manage our day. We quickly realized that we can do so much with remote learning, like provide our best instructors, schedule flexibility, and resources to improve outside of the class.
We are confident student's will enjoy this online class. If this class does not work for your family. Let us know by October 2nd, and get a full refund (minus cancellation fee).
Schedule
Fall Semester
September 28 - November 24
Monday
3:15 p.m. Online chess games (60 minutes. Three rounds split by skill level.)
Tuesdays
3:15 p.m. Chess Skills and Fundamentals (30 minutes/Zoom)
3:50 p.m. Online Chess Games (Two rounds split by skill level.)
Wednesdays
3:15 p.m. Online chess games (60 minutes. Three rounds split by skill level.)
Thursdays
3:15 p.m. Advanced Chess Concepts w/International Master Luis (30 Minutes/Zoom)
3:50 p.m. Online Chess Games (Two rounds split by skill level.)
Throughout the semester, we will hold bonus Wednesday lessons with guest instructors showing their favorite traps and classic games!
WHERE DOES THE CLASS MEET?
Our chess instruction will take place on Zoom. The chess games, puzzles, videos, and the leaderboard will be on chessKid.com. To play in the daily live Yes For Chess games, students will need to log in using a web browser. Kids can access puzzles, videos, and play the computer on the ChessKid app.
WHO WILL TEACH THE CLASSES?
The academy will feature three resident instructors. International Master Luis Henrique Coelho is currently ranked 3,181 in the world, he learned how to play chess as a 15-year-old, and within six years became an International Master! IM Luis is now focusing on becoming the 15th Brazilian grandmaster. IM Luis will lead our Thursday class.
James Ursin is the Director of Teaching at Yes For Chess. This year will mark his 15th year of teaching chess in elementary schools. Amy Beale is our third resident instructor, she is a second-generation chess teacher, has reached a 1600 chess rating, and has won several chess tournaments as a child. James and Amy will lead the Tuesday class.
HOW WILL YOU KEEP STUDENTS SAFE ONLINE?
We believe that the online safety and security of our students is the most important aspect of distance learning. Therefore, we will disable all students’ use of the camera, as well as their microphone. If the students have a question or know the solution to a puzzle, they can type it in a Q&A feature where a moderator can filter the questions. The students cannot see other student questions, but the moderator and instructor can see and answer each student.
We’ve selected Chess Kid because it’s the safest platform for kids to play online chess. Kids cannot message nor chat with each other on the site, regardless of if they are in the same Club.
Parents can easily monitor student accounts and there are no advertisements or potential for accidental purchases.
WHAT WILL YOU TEACH?
Each class will be a 30-minute lesson. Our Tuesday Skills and Fundamentals class, kids will focus on chess tactics, solving checkmates, and opening ideas. We’ll allow time for students to solve the puzzle, and then the instructor will walk through each problem, pointing out how to look for clues and how to avoid common mistakes.
In our Advanced Chess Skills class, IM Luis will use a series of puzzles that increase in difficulty that show a reoccurring theme. Students should feel comfortable with solving checkmates in two moves to get the most of IM Luis’ instruction.
Each registered student has the freedom to join both the Skills and Fundamental class and the Advanced Chess skills class.
After each class, kids will have the option to play in a tournament online where the games are organized by their skill level (their ChessKid rating).
DO YOU TEACH BEGINNERS?
Currently, students should have experience with chess. This means, students should know how each piece moves, how to set a board, familiar with checkmate, and castling. Students should also be comfortable with typing on a keyboard, so they can communicate with the instructor during the lesson.
REFUND POLICY
We are confident your student will enjoy learning chess in our program.
If you need to withdraw your student notify us by Wednesday October 7th and you will receive a full refund minus a $15 cancellation fee
WHAT DO I DO AFTER I REGISTER MY STUDENT?
Once registered, you’ll receive an email with the Zoom links for the classes, as well as your student’s ChessKid login information, how to navigate the site, and FAQ's. We’ll create their username and activate their Gold membership. If your student is already on ChessKid, send us an email and we’ll show you how to join our club and provide gold access to their account.
Sometimes learning online is confusing knowing when and where to log in. I had a few questions about the Zoom link and Chesskid account. Yes For Chess was very helpful, they got back to me quickly and navigated me through the site. My daughter will be signing up again! Thanks!
