Basic Chess Skills & Psychology For Students!
BASIC SKILLS. In a well-run, successful school chess club, students must know the chess rules; they must know how a chess game ends--in a checkmate or a draw; then, from the very beginning after learning the rules--they must learn the three psychological practices for stronger chess.
Basic Chess Skills include Rules, Checkmate, Draws, and Algebraic Chess Notation!
The workbook Chess Rules For Students presents the rules including checkmate & draws as well as algebraic notation in an easy-to use, easy-to-correct worksheet format. Answer Key included! Parents, teachers, coaches and students love it! Highly recommended!
Psychology! What Are the Three Psychological Practices for Stronger Chess? - No Chess Study Necessary!
Many parents, teachers, coaches and students ask, “How do chess players grow stronger?” Surprisingly, a player may increase strength 20-40% by simply developing and using Three Psychological Practices--also known as good habits! No chess study necessary!
PSYCHOLOGY - Three Psychological Practices. Without mastering these simple Three Psychological Practices, students will suffer unnecessary frustration, disappointment, and defeat over the chess board and in life. However, by playing chess, students can learn to:
1. Respect others.
2. Respect themselves.
3. Prepare for the future.
The Psychology of Chess. How do I improve my strength? Think!
1. Improve Strength 20% - Respect Opponent! What is my opponent threatening? Defend!
What is my opponent’s last move threatening? Most threats in scholastic chess are easy-to-see and simple to defend—if… If students can develop the psychological practice of asking what the opponent is threatening, a student's strength will increase 20% or more—meaning winning easily 20% more games by simply considering, seeing and defending against easy-to-see threats!
2. Improve Strength 10% - Respect Self! Safe Squares! Is my next move safe?
Is my next move safe? Reduce blunders! Simply put, students ask questions like these. “Am I moving my Queen to a safe square where my opponent CAN NOT capture it for free?” Or, “Am I moving my Queen to a square where my opponent CAN “fork” it, “skewer” it or capture it for free?” Of course, these questions apply to all pieces under consideration to move—Rooks, Bishops, Knights and Pawns! The student’s strength will increase 10% or more—meaning losing easily 10% fewer games by simply NOT giving away free pieces!
3. Improve Strength 10% - Prepare for the Future! What will my opponent's next move be?
What will my opponent’s next move be? Asking this simple question is a psychological practice—a good habit that needs strengthening. What do students do while waiting for their opponent to move? Fidget? Daydream? Look at the games on the boards next to them? Obsess over their plan and their next move with no regard for their opponent’s next move?
In a chess game with Standard Time Controls of 30-minutes each or more, students have time to jot down their guesses while waiting for their opponent’s move. Students gain confidence and strength as they guess their opponents’ moves successfully! The student’s strength will increase 10% or more—meaning losing easily 10% fewer games by simply predicting their opponent's next move!
What Makes "Chess Clubs For Students" Work?
Parts 1-6
Part 1 - Basic Chess Skills and Psychology For Students emphasizes how learning the Chess Rules and Three Psychological Practices enable students to become stronger players.
Part 2 - Basic Endgame Checkmate Patterns For Students covers Four Basic Endgame Checkmate Patterns that will yield collateral benefits to all aspects of a student's games.
Part 3 - Choosing Location, Meeting Times & Equipment demonstrates that the right location, the right meeting times, and quality chess equipment will foster enthusiastic student chess club participation.
Part 4 - Chess Club Activities For Students shows that activities that are fun--and that improve chess knowledge and skills--are the lifeblood of a well-run, great chess club!
NEXT> Part 2: Basic Endgame Checkmate Patterns will cover Four Basic Endgame Checkmate Patterns that will yield collateral benefits to all aspects of a student's games!
