Chess Knights Summer Camp

Camp Description

Welcome to the Chess Knights' Summer Camp, where young minds become strategic champions! Our camp is designed for 3rd to 5th grade students who are passionate about the game of chess or eager to learn.

At Chess Knights, we believe that chess is more than just a game—it's a journey that enhances critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and fosters creativity. Our camp provides a fun and supportive environment where children can explore the complexities of chess while making friends and creating lasting memories. We will conclude the week’s lessons with a tournament of the participants.

Led by experienced instructors, our camp offers a comprehensive curriculum suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced players. Through interactive lessons, engaging activities, and friendly competitions, campers will learn fundamental chess strategies, tactics, and openings, as well as sharpen their decision-making abilities.

Join us this summer for an unforgettable experience at Chess Knights' Summer Camp. Who knows? Your child might just make their next move towards becoming a chess master! 

Instructors

Sarah Berres is a 5th grade teacher at Greenwood Elementary in Tahlequah. Dr. Tonya Garrett is a professor in Elementary Education at Northeastern State University. Both have studied and learned chess for enjoyment and to utilize in their classrooms. 

Camp Schedule

**Day 1: Introduction to Chess**

- 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM: Welcome and Icebreaker Activities

- 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Chess Basics: Introduction to the Chessboard and Pieces

- 9:30 AM - 9:45 AM: Morning Snack Break

- 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM: Learning the Movement of Rooks

- 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM: Learning the Movement of Knights

- 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM: Practice Games with Rooks and Knights

 

**Day 2: Discovering More Chess Pieces**

- 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM: Recap of Day 1 and Warm-up Activities

- 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Learning the Movement of Bishops

- 9:30 AM - 9:45 AM: Morning Snack Break

- 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM: Learning the Movement of Pawns

- 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM: Learning the Movement of Queens

- 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM: Introduction to Castling and En Passant

 

**Day 3: Understanding Special Moves and Tactics**

- 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM: Recap of Previous Days and Group Activities

- 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Understanding Check and Checkmate

- 9:30 AM - 9:45 AM: Morning Snack Break

- 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM: Basic Chess Tactics: Forks and Pins

- 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM: Basic Chess Tactics: Skewers and Discoveries

- 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM: Practice Games Applying Tactics

 

**Day 4: Basic Opening Principles**

- 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM: Recap of Tactics and Warm-up Exercises

- 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Introduction to Opening Principles: Controlling the Center

- 9:30 AM - 9:45 AM: Morning Snack Break

- 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM: Developing Pieces and Opening Pawn Structures

- 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM: Avoiding Common Opening Mistakes

- 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM: Practice Opening Strategies in Games

 

**Day 5: Fun Tournament and Wrap-Up**

- 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM: Recap of Previous Day and Pre-Tournament Activities

- 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM: Mini Chess Tournament (Round Robin or Swiss System)

- 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM: Morning Snack Break

- 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM: Tournament Analysis and Feedback

- 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Certificate Ceremony, Awards, and Farewell