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Chess Program

Welcome to the Chess Program at EnrichMind Academy! The program is provided by Penny Chess Club. Penny Chess Club is a prestigious chess playground for everyone who shares a love for this royal game. Newly founded in the Spring of 2022 by Woman International Master Penny Pham, we want to create a tightened community of chess players in British Columbia, Canada from all levels and age groups, especially kids from the age of 4-12.

  • Use a simple “chess” language to help students develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, responsible decision making, and relationship skills

  •  Establish positive thinking and encourage good behavior in the class, regardless of game results.

  •  Learn via collaboration in groups to improve discussion and negotiation skills with their peers.

  •  Grow a more mature mindset through challenges and mistakes.

  •  Encourage students to express their thoughts, feelings, and questions during the class.

  •  Choose books over computers : As traditional as it might be, we strongly recommend reading books both at home and at school. Reading helps students focus more on their chess games as well as academic studies in a long run.


FOSTERING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) THROUGH CHESS TRAINING

Beginner Level
Keen Pawn I: Students learn about chess board, pieces, and rules to play a game. They know how to checkmate in simple positions to finish a game. Throughout this course, the students should also learn to be respectful in a competitive sports game
Duration: 3 months (usually for kids under 6 years old)
Keen Pawn II: Students gain awareness of drawn positions and able to finish a game. They learn how to checkmate with a Queen or Rook, and simple checkmate patterns in more complex positions. Throughout the course, the students should also learn to think independently and creatively.
Duration: 3 months


Foundation Level
Brave Knight: Students can calculate 2-3 moves in advance, and avoid hanging pieces. Upon completion of this level, they can join chess tournaments at school. The course is designed to help the students learn how to identify and analytically solve a problem.
Duration: 6 months

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Pre - Intermediate Level

Wise Bishop: Students enhance calculation skills, play more accurately in term of tactics and will be introduced certain openings and endgame practices. 

Duration: 6 months


Intermediate Level
Confident Rook: Students can evaluate positions by realizing strengths and weaknesses. They can build plans during the games, using tactics to obtain good positions. They gain fundamental knowledge in simple endgames. The course is designed to help students learn how to think analytically, how to set targets and work to complete them.
Duration: 6 months

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Pre - Advanced Level

Determined Queen/King: The course is designed to complete players' openings repertoire as a competitive level. It emphasizes in postional thinking in middlegame and more endgame practices. 


Advanced Level
The Royals: Students become familiar with chess tactics and strategies in all stages of the game: opening, middlegame and endgame. 
Duration: 12 months


Master Level

The Professionals: The course is designed to help students achieve best results in tournaments. Tailored to each student categorized by rating.

Duration: Depends

Program Structure
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