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Chess Curriculum K-12

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Shiraaaaazi

I want to start a chess program in the school that will coach kids from their first days in Elementary school all the way through graduation day. I'll post the extremely basic curriculum below, and would really appreciate any suggestions/comments

Grade Requirement: B Average

Elementary (K-6)

Basic rules

Goals of the game

Checkmate W/ two rooks

Q+K Checkmate 

Q+R Checkmate

Basic opening principles (Develop pieces, control the center, castle) 

Introduction to tactics (names, one move tactics)

Chess notation

Middle School (7-8)

More Advanced Tactics                                                                       Books: Chess Tactics For Students by John A. Bain. 

Basic Opening Recognition 

Basic Endings (K+P etc)

Basic Strategy (Pawn structures, good bishop vs bad bishop, etc)

*Potential* Chess tactics continued                                Book: Chess Tactics for Champions by Susan Polgar

High (9-12)

Lucena Position, Philidor Position, other advanced endgames Books: Silman's Complete Endgame Course

More advanced opening theory. Begin to develop personalized repertoires                                               Books: FCO 

Advanced tactics                                                           Books: Chess Tactics for Champions by Susan Polgar

Review GM games

Watch GM lectures

This is just a rough idea of what the curriculum would entail. Setting aside issues such as funding and getting it into the schools, what are your thoughts as far as the material itself goes? 

Martin_Stahl

https://www.chesskid.com/article/view/chesskidcoms-curriculum

CaptainDubious

I'm a volunteer coach for a K-5 chess club, though just a beginner myself. I think that after a few months of playing chess 2X a week, you can push the K-6 kids a little more. I gave out puzzles last week with 2 and 3 move combinations and was surprised at how many kids were able to solve them. I'm starting to think there are four or five kids that might even be ready to develop a basic opening repertoire. Like I said, I'm a newb at this, so take my opinion for what it's worth.