Elementary Chess Opportunities
CCS Elementary Tournaments
W. Arthur Cullman Rookie
Who: Students in grades K-5 who are new to chess
What: The competition is structured with tables of eight students each competing as a "mini tournament" and guided by a CCS high school chess team volunteer.
When: This tournament is held in May each year. This newsletter will be updated as the tournament is scheduled.
Where: Columbus Museum of Art
Why: Provides new chess players an opportunity to become familiar with competitive chess play in a relaxed, learning environment. Students have an opportunity to visit art exhibits, guest from the community speak during lunch and we partner with the Columbus Metropolitan Library so students can connect chess to literature. Here is a link to photos from the 2019 Rookie Tournament.
See this Registration Memo link for information and to sign up for the Tournament. Contact Beth Gasior at egasior@columbus.k12.oh.us for additional tournament information.
Nolan's Knights
Who: Students in grades K-5
What: Entering it's 34th year, the Nolan's Knights Tournament is for more experienced players. Students compete against 60-75 other chess players in a traditional tournament environment, resulting in first-fourth place winners.
When: May each year. This newsletter will be updated as scheduled.
Where: Columbus Metropolitan Main Library
Why: Provides an opportunity for students to compete in a challenging competition environment. Students can be nominated by their chess coaches to receive a "Nolan's Knight" award. This is a sportsmanship award for students who exhibit positive behaviors while learning chess - named for Francie Nolan, the founder of CCS Chess.
Contact Denise Staffilino for registration information - dstaffilino@columbus.k12.oh.us.
Chess and Learning Standards
School Chess Teams
Just Get Started!
Pawn, Queen and In Between Student Workbook
Pawn, Queen and In Between Teacher's ManualNeed Help?
Also, current CCS chess club advisors, teachers and parents are willing to share their resources and experiences to help you get started.
Additional Resources for Starting a Chess Team
Teaching Chess in the Classroom
First Move Chess
Chess Kid
U.S. Chess Center
Rules for Beginners
Online Chess Instruction
Chess Kid
Chess Website
Duckster's Chess
Integrating Chess Themes
Don't Forget the Chess Books!
Chess Organizations
US Chess Federation
Ohio Scholastic Chess
U.S. Chess Trust - Free Chess Sets!
Why Chess?
My Life is a Chess Game - Parallels of Chess to Real Life
Why Chess Works - Chess helps students improve their mental abilities, such as problem solving, critical thinking, pattern recognition, planning ahead, spatial awareness, focus and concentration. This article How Chess Players' Brains are Different from Everyone Else's explains how chess can help develop advanced math and critical thinking skills, help players use both sides of the brain, teach students to think in patterns, teach students how to think like a computer and help players become expert problem solvers.