"Chess is the gymnasium of the mind." (Blaise Pascal, mathematician)
About Us
The Way of the Board chess club has club meetings every Saturday morning for young beginner, beginner and intermediate players to learn chess and play the game, and is a program offered by the Way of the Sword Fencing, Archery, and Chess Club.
The club usually has a tournament once a month on Sunday afternoons for beginner and intermediate scholastic players. Private lessons available on weekends at $45/hour.
The required workbook for all beginner and intermediate players is "Everyone's First Chess Workbook" by Peter Giannatos. It is available via Amazon, or can be purchased at the club. Intermediate players who have finished this book should begin the more challenging workbook "The Chess Tactics Workbook" by Al Woolum, but are also welcome to borrow a book from the club library to explore more advanced topics.
Store
10/22 Scholastic Sunday Swiss (K-12)
Rated tournament for intermediate players K-12. Event time is 1:30 - 5:00 PM (estimated end time), time controls and event format are 3 SS G/30;d5.
10/29 Scholastic Sunday Swiss (K-5)
Rated tournament for beginner players K-5. Event time is 1:30 - 3:45 PM (estimated end time), time controls and event format are 4 SS G/15.
PTA Sponsored Chess Tournament
"A playful learning event the whole family can enjoy and participate in."
FAQs
- chess teaches children how to win and lose.
- chess helps children realize the consequences of their actions.
- chess helps children focus.
- chess helps develop creativity.
- chess builds confidence.
- chess helps develop problem-solving skills.
- chess exercises both sides of the brain.
- chess helps children learn how to be calm under pressure.
Last but certainly not least, once you know how to play, chess is a lot of fun!
Club dues are $80/month for beginner and intermediate programs, and $90/month for young beginners, and ensure the ongoing development and operations of the club. First visit to our club is free!
Currently we have intermediate players in grades 1 to 7 who are actively learning and participating in our weekly club meetings. Beginner players range from grades 2 to 4. Young beginners range from grades Kindergarten to 2nd grade. Age is just one of many factors to be considered when deciding when is the right time to begin learning the game; others include a kid's interest, whether there are other chess players in the family, etc. Kids should be able to write in their workbooks, and are expected to spend some time every week independently solving chess puzzles/reading as self-learning is an important component of the game.
If a player is having difficulty in either the beginner or intermediate program, private lessons are recommended so that they can fully participate at club meetings. Private lessons are also helpful for a player to receive feedback on their game play and explore intermediate tactics and strategies, as most young chess players (and adult beginners) cannot self-analyze their games effectively.
Send an email to hello[at]wayoftheboard.org, and include mention of the age of your child/children, and level of familiarity with the game. He will get back to you within one business day.
Currently, an adult program is not offered.
Visit calendar.wayoftheboard.org.
Only weekend Saturday morning programs are offered.
Drop-in day passes are not offered, but for families who will be missing 2+ club meetings in a month (not just one) and send 2 days advance notice to hello[at]wayoftheboard.org, fees will be refunded on a prorated basis. However players who do not attend regularly may have difficulty staying with the group, so registering for a program for infrequent play is not recommended.
Visit our club Facebook page and like the page to be notified. Updates are posted regularly, and should give parents a better sense of what happens at our meetings.
Subscribe to our newsletter to find out more about upcoming tournaments, the club chess classes, and other activities. Also, see the mailing list archives.
Location
Address
21 Governor Street, Ridgefield CT, 06877
Program Times
Young Beginner - Saturdays 10:10 - 10:50 AM
Beginner - Saturdays 11:00 - 11:50 AM
Intermediate - Saturdays 12:00 - 1:15 PM
Contact info