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    Olney's Dragon Chess Club is a great way for students to learn about strategic problem solving. Chess players learn how to think ahead and develop self-discipline and confidence, and anyone can play! 

    This year, the club will be open to applications from students in 2nd through 5th grade with a maximum of 40 students. Exceptions are at the discretion of the PTA representative. The chess club focuses on the enjoyment of learning and in playing chess with one another. You do not have to know how to play to join the club. Our goal is to place players in groups that ensure that they can win some but not all of the time. Unofficial off-season play may also include tournaments at the state level, in Open and/or Girls divisions. We believe we have one of the best programs in the state. 

    So interest is booming! This year we will need to have more help from both student volunteers, arbiters and parents if more players will be accommodated. We hope to have students from Rosa Parks MS and Sherwood HS serve as tutors and arbiters again. They help with various moves and strategies during the sessions as well as with conflict resolution. If enough assistance is obtained, it is possible to grow the club. 

    An assistant lead mentor is still sought.

    Changes this year will be the use of a quantitative ranking system from USCF to improve our way of grouping players, and some new demo boards, pieces, and clocks. 

    SCHEDULE:

    There will be ten sessions as well as an optional tournament. A basic intro will be given by the club founder to define piece movement. Weekly sessions feature an introduction and an hour of hands-on play. During week 5 or 6 we'll have advanced lessons and the last two meetings will include an in-house tournament.

    The 2019-2020 OES Chess Club will have meetings after school every Friday school is in session, starting Friday Dec 6th.  The schedule for the dates and times are as follows:

    All Purpose Room        3:40 pm to 5:00 pm 

       Practice Sessions:  Dec 6, Dec 13, Dec 19

       Initial Groupings:  Jan 3, Jan 10, Jan 17

       Final Groupings:  Jan 31, Feb 7, Feb 14, Feb 21

     

    All Purpose Room        3:40 pm to 5:30 pm

       Tournament : Mar 06, Mar 13    (extended hours for the tournament and awards ceremony)

    If you have any questions, contact Chris Larsen at biophile6@yahoo.com, the Lead Mentor for the group. Unlike other local clubs run by services, OES Dragon Chess is all volunteer and in-house. Chris is a PTA volunteer, an active USCF chess tournament player, a father of two in the club, and is pursuing the Level I Chess Coach Certification, as well as the USCF Tournament Director certificate.

    Club Rules

    • You are responsible for your own belongings.
    • Students are welcome to bring a snack, not to be eaten until the snack tables are set up. Please clean up after yourself.  
    • No leaving the cafeteria without permission.
    • All students must be signed out.
    • Each child must have a volunteer at one of the meetings.
    • All students must behave respectfully and responsibly at the chess club meetings, otherwise they will no longer be able to participate.

    Parent Volunteer Schedule

    A new parent volunteer schedule will be available as soon as chess club starts.

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