Chess Class Kicks Off: A Strategic Start to After-School Fun!
Written by Mr. Rabanal
Welcome to another exciting semester at CTBC! February 24th marks start of the second week of school, and the after-school programs are officially in full swing. From Animation to Soccer, Lego Robotics to Model United Nations, and even Beginner Tennis—there’s something for everyone! However, this week we want to highlight one class that is really making some moves (pun intended!): the Chess Class with Mr. Rabanal
Why Chess?
Chess is more than just a game; it’s a battle of wits, strategy, and patience. It challenges the mind while encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Best of all, it’s incredibly fun! In this chess class, students from ages 2 to 5 are diving into the ancient game, learning not only how to play but also developing skills that will benefit them in all areas of life.
A Fun and Interactive Start
This week marked the first class of the chess semester, and our young learners wasted no time jumping right in. Mr. Rabanal, our passionate and friendly chess instructor, began by introducing the rich history of chess, which dates back over a thousand years! Students were amazed to learn that this game, played by kings, queens, and commoners alike, has been passed down through generations and continues to captivate minds today.
After the history lesson, the focus shifted to the basics: How do you move the pieces? Students were shown how each piece moves across the board. The kings and queens, rooks, bishops, knights, pawns… each has its own unique way of traveling across the squares. It was exciting to see our students experimenting with the pieces and getting familiar with their movement.
Chess students playing mini games to learn the pieces and their movements.
Chess Puzzles:
After mastering the basics, it was time to challenge their minds with some puzzles! These were simple yet fun brain teasers designed to test their knowledge and help reinforce the rules of the game. For the younger students, the puzzles were a perfect way to gently introduce the concepts of check and checkmate in a way that felt like play, not pressure. Mr. R was there to guide them every step of the way, making sure everyone was comfortable and having fun, no matter their skill level.
What’s Next?
As the weeks go on, the class will dive deeper into strategies, opening moves, and maybe even some friendly competition! It’s not just about winning the game—though that’s certainly part of the fun—it’s about learning to think ahead, make decisions, and understand the consequences of those decisions.
We can’t wait to see how much progress our young chess enthusiasts will make over the course of this semester. Whether your child is a chess beginner or already a budding grandmaster, this class will help them grow while having a blast!