Kid Chess News
February 2025
A monthly roundup of happenings in the Kid Chess community
This monthly web publication is designed for the adults in our community who have children enrolled in our classes, camps, and tournaments. It is designed to keep you informed about what your kids are doing in our programs and to teach you a little bit about the chess world. Let us know what content is important to you by writing to dan.lucas@kidchess.com.
In this edition:
Upcoming Kid Chess Events
Kid Chess Clubs Begin Winter Spring Semester
Kid Chess Coaches: Always Learning!
Judit Polgár (born July, 23 1976) is a Hungarian chess grandmaster, widely regarded as the strongest female chess player of all time In 1991, Polgár achieved the title of Grandmaster at the age of 15 years and 4 months, at the time the youngest to have done so, breaking the record previously held by former world champion Bobby Fischer. ~Wikipedia
Upcoming Kid Chess Events
Located at Chess.Zone | 2500 Old Alabama Road, Suite 11 | Roswell, GA 30076
Register online here or call to register: 770-575-5802.
No on-site registration. Please register in advance.
Recent top finishers from a Kid Chess tournament
- Saturday, February 8th – Kid Chess Tournament
- AM Tournament – Kindergarten – 2nd Grade Open
- PM Tournament – 3rd – 5th Grade Open
- Saturday, February 22nd – Kid Chess Blacklight Bughouse
- AM Blacklight Bughouse Tournament – 3rd – 5th Grade Open
- PM Blacklight Bughouse Tournament – Kindergarten – 2nd Grade Open
Please click here for even more Kid Chess events.
Kid Chess Clubs Begin Winter/Spring Semester!
Action from a recent Kid Chess Blacklight Bughouse Tournament
You may have heard from your child that the first couple of weeks in class they were playing “Bughouse” (and note our Black Light Bughouse event coming up on February 8th!) What is this, you may ask? Bughouse is a wildly popular chess variant that is a form of partner chess. Unlike regular chess, in which playing quietly is a necessary part of the game, talking is encouraged and even a strategic necessity in Bughouse.
From Wikipedia: “Bughouse is a popular chess variant played on two chessboards by four players in teams of two. Normal chess rules apply, except that captured pieces on one board are passed on to the teammate on the other board, who then has the option of putting these pieces on their board. The game is usually played at a fast time control. Together with the passing and dropping of pieces, this can make the game look chaotic to the casual onlooker.”
And yes, your child is still learning chess while playing Bughouse! The pieces move the same way as in regular chess. Most importantly, Bughouse is all about attacking the opponent’s king as fast as possible, a key learning principle for young players. As we move into the third week of the club, the kids will start being instructed in and playing regular chess.
Kid Chess Coaches: Always Learning
Kid Chess Coaches in a Training Class
We hire Kid Chess Coaches for two main reasons: Expertise in chess and/or working with children. Our unique staffing approach utilizes the talents of both tournament chess players and educators. A key component of our program is continuing education, and to that end, we hold regular training classes for our talented coaches. Topics include:
- How to teach chess to beginning players
- How to run a Kid Chess program as a Site Manager or Head Coach
- How a coach can become a stronger chess player
Each of our coaches pass in-depth background checks and are trained to make chess fun!
Do you want to join our team of coaches? See how by clicking here.
Previous Kid Chess Newsletters
Note: We took a break between December 17 and February 1.
Do you want even more chess news from the Atlanta area? Check out our new sister publication, Chess Zone News.