Local & Virtual Chess
Classes for Kids
Welcome to New England Chess School
Online chess classes and lessons with Live Video feed from all students.
Welcome To The Premier Chess Lessons In Greater Boston
Chess Class
Convenient chess classes: in one Massachusetts location and online. Offering multiple skill levels.
Tournament
Play at our tournament in Needham, MA or online. Sundays 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. Registration closes on Saturdays. No same day registration.
Sunday Games
Join us on Sunday from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm and take part in a group of kids playing chess.
Technology
After class is over, students can review the topic online, practice with puzzles and worksheets, and review class video about the subject.
Program Overview
Center classes are a fun, rewarding, and engaging experience for kids to learn chess in a focused classroom setting. Our certified chess coaches will work with your student to develop their chess ability and also help them develop maturity and learn life lessons through their efforts. An emphasis on ‘life skills’ is at the core of what we do at New England Chess School.
We believe that one of the keys to ensuring that students have a great time while learning and building confidence and self-esteem is having a culture that celebrates success. Students will experience this value in all of our programs as they learn chess and life skills which will prepare them to excel in chess and life.
Chess classes are structured around six progressive levels of chess knowledge that guide students from the basics to a more advanced understanding of the game of chess. We offer online chess classes for beginners, mid-tier players and experienced kids alike!
Six skill levels
Center classes are built around the New England Chess School Curriculum. Students will work through a wide variety of topics from basic knowledge to advanced tactics. The NECS Curriculum has six progressive levels: Pawn, Knight, Bishop, Rook, Queen, and King.
Students in the Pawn Level are introduced to the game of chess, how pieces move & capture, chess rules, and how to start & finish a game successfully. While learning how the pieces move, students learn key strategies of each piece which helps avoid developing bad habits, thus building a solid foundation for success in chess and life.
Pawn Level : Introduction to Chess
In this class we will go over all the rules and and learn about basic strategies such as controlling the center, castling, en passant, learn about basic tactics utilizing forks skewers and pins.
In the Knight Level, students learn the basics of chess tactics, how to recognize tactical patterns, and how to think two moves ahead. Students understand draws and develop skill at finishing and winning a game with checkmate. Learning these key elements develops the next layer of knowledge and skill that prepares a student for planning ahead.
Knight Level
The Knight level is for people who have completed the ABC of the Pawn level. We will start learning from great masters of the past with a focus on solving chess puzzles. We'll also start to analyze the students' games.
Students in the Bishop Level learn to create plans, identify targets and goals, gain an understanding of piece relationships, look three moves ahead, calculate variations, and consider their opponent’s defense. All of this is helping a student learn the essentials of basic planning, whether in life or chess.
Bishop Level
The Bishop level is for people who have completed the Knight level or similar-level class elsewhere. The focus will be on learning patterns and learning how to calculate in chess. We will start looking at specific opening variations as well as using clocks when we play. We will also use chess notation to keep track of our moves.
Students in the Rook Level become strong in tactics and look 4+ moves ahead. They can identify key imbalances, formulate long-term plans, understand more complex endgames, and even develop the ability to visualize the chess board & pieces to the point of playing chess blindfolded! While developing a student’s skill much further, this level also brings in key elements that are essential to understanding the deep strategic thinking that will be experienced in the Queen level.
Rook Level
This class is for serious and self-motivated kids who have completed Bishop level or similar-level class elsewhere. This class will focus more on chess strategy: such as the types of center and how it influences our plan, the pawns structure and more advanced endgames. Students are expected to play using timers, and participate in tournaments regularly.
Queen Level
This class is for students who have completed Rook class or similar-level class elsewhere. The students will learn to apply the imbalances with deeper understanding, utilize tactical motifs, and leverage their significant visualization skills that allow them to create powerful plans in any position. In life as much as in chess, the skill to evaluate ones’ position (strengths as well as weaknesses) – to develop the Dream or Goal of where one wants to go based on ones’ position – to then be able to make GREAT choices in order to achieve that Dream or Goal – this is what makes this level an outstanding achievement for all.
Queen Level
This class is for students who have completed Rook class or similar-level class elsewhere. The students will learn to apply the imbalances with deeper understanding, utilize tactical motifs, and leverage their significant visualization skills that allow them to create powerful plans in any position.
Students in the King Level work towards becoming a Chess Master. They learn opening repertoires that tie into middlegame plans, develop deep calculation ability, and advanced endgame strategies. They also learn self-analysis, chess psychology, and high level study habits. Students who choose to work through this level develop the experience of what commitment to long-term goals, consistent study, and disciplined training can lead to – an experience that parallels success in many areas of life.
King Level
In this class students will work towards becoming a Chess Master. They learn opening repertoires that tie into middlegame plans, develop deep calculation ability, and advanced endgame strategies. They also learn self-analysis, chess psychology, and high level study habits.
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