Nexplore Chess
NEXPLORE CHESS
Nexplore Chess Academy, in partnership with MM Chess, is designed to introduce children to the game of chess and help them develop critical thinking, strategy, and problem-solving skills. Over the course of ten weeks, students will learn the basics of chess, including the movement of the pieces, different opening strategies, and how to checkmate their opponent. They will also learn about famous chess players and matches, as well as the history, etiquette, and culture of the game.
For more information about Cubelets, take a look at this fun video:
PAWNS CURRICULUM:
| Week | Topic | Learning Objectives | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Chess | – Understand the chess board and pieces – Know the movement of the pieces | – Introduction to the game of chess – Demonstration of the pieces and their movements – Setting up the board for play |
| 2 | Attacking | – Understand the importance of attacking – Know how to create and execute an attack | – Introduction to attacking in chess – Demonstration of creating and executing an attack – Practice exercises |
| 3 | Check and Checkmate | – Understand the concepts of check and checkmate – Learn how to achieve checkmate | – Explanation of check and checkmate – Demonstration of achieving checkmate – Practice exercises |
| 4 | Special Moves | – Understand special moves such as castling and en passant- Know when and how to use them | – Introduction to special moves – Demonstration of castling and en passant – Practice exercises |
| 5 | Defending | – Understand the importance of defending -Learn how to defend against an attack | – Introduction to defending in chess – Demonstration of defending against an attack – Practice exercises |
| 6 | Checkmate #2 | – Learn more advanced checkmate techniques- Understand how to checkmate with fewer pieces | – Introduction to advanced checkmate techniques – Demonstration of checkmate with fewer pieces – Practice exercises |
| 7 | Review | – Review all concepts covered in the program so far | – Review of all previous lessons – Practice exercises |
| 8 | Special Moves #2 | – Learn more advanced special moves – Understand when and how to use them | – Introduction to advanced special moves – Demonstration of advanced special moves – Practice exercises |
| 9 | Forks | – Understand the concept of forks – Learn how to execute forks | – Explanation of forks – Demonstration of executing forks – Practice exercises |
| 10 | Pins | – Understand the concept of pins – Learn how to execute pins | – Explanation of pins – Demonstration of executing pins – Practice exercises |
KNIGHTS:
Sure, here’s the updated spreadsheet with the revised topics:
| Week | Topic | Learning Objectives | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pawns Course Review | – Review of Attacking, Defending, and Chessmate | – Review of all previous lessons – Practice exercises |
| 2 | Fun with the Sicilian Defense | – Learn tricks and tactics in the Sicilian Defense – Understand its advantages and disadvantages | – Introduction to the Sicilian Defense and its tricks – Demonstration of tactics and variations – Practice exercises |
| 3 | Queen’s Gambit: Gambit Accepted | – Learn how to execute the Queen’s Gambit Accepted – Understand its advantages and disadvantages | – Introduction to the Queen’s Gambit Accepted – Demonstration of execution and variations – Practice exercises |
| 4 | The Art of Sacrifices | – Understand how and when to sacrifice pieces – Appreciate the beauty and complexity of sacrifices | – Analysis of famous sacrifices in chess – Demonstration of key sacrifices – Practice exercises |
| 5 | Attack and Defense in the French | – Learn about attacking and defending in the French Defense – Understand its advantages and disadvantages | – Introduction to the French Defense – Demonstration of attacking and defending strategies – Practice exercises |
| 6 | The Power of Knights | – Learn how to use knights effectively – Review of all concepts covered in the program so far | – Introduction to knight’s moves and positions – Demonstration of knight’s tactics and variations – Practice exercises |
| 7 | Endgame Checkmates | – Learn about endgame checkmates – Understand basic endgame concepts such as pawn promotion and king opposition | – Introduction to endgame checkmates – Demonstration of pawn promotion and king opposition – Practice exercises |
| 8 | Tactical Themes in Chess | – Understand common tactical themes in chess – Learn how to spot and execute them | – Introduction to common tactical themes such as skewers – Demonstration of tactics – Practice exercises |
| 9 | Chess Psychology: The Art of Paul Morphy | -How Paul Morphy, a kid from Louisiana, because the “world champion before there was a world champion.” | – The Opera Game |
| 10 | Famous Chess Games and Players (3-5 classes) | – Learn about famous chess games and players – Appreciate their impact on chess history | – Analysis of famous chess games and players such as Kasparov, Capablanca, and Tal – Discussion of their styles and legacies – Practice exercises |