CT State Chess Association 2021 Scholastic Club of the Year

CHESS CLUB REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MONDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2022
DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM HERE

The Riverfield Chess Club is open to students in 1st through 5th grades. We hope to see all our familiar faces from last year, as well as many new ones! Here are some basics and key points for this coming year:

First Chess Club Meeting: September 30, 2022 @ 8am

New club members will head to the library to begin their 5-week chess class with former Club Director Matt Tuccillo who currently runs the RLMS Chess Club. Returning club members will begin round robin
tournament game play in the APR. 

What is chess? Chess is a time-honored game (dating back 1,500 years!) that teaches kids critical thinking, strategy, competition, and sportsmanship – skills they can use throughout their lives. Once learned, it becomes a lifelong love, something they can play anywhere, anytime, with anyone, at any age.

What is Chess Club? Entering our 24th year, we are an extra-curricular club activity at Riverfield with 43 returning members, overseen by parent volunteers, offering instruction and game play in a fun and safe environment for our kids. Our main goals are developing critical thinking skills, building confidence and self-esteem, experiencing competition and sportsmanship, and having fun! Have we mentioned that Riverfield Chess Club was named CT state Chess Association 2021 Scholastic Club of the Year?!

- Beginner members take a 5-week chess class to begin the program.
- Game play follows the following format:
       o Grade Level Round Robin Tournament
       o March Madness Tournament in three categories: Advanced, Intermediate and Beginner
       o Grade Level Year End Tournament
       o Care is taken to ensure that students generally compete with other children of similar age and         ability level – this keeps it fun and interesting for all members.

- Students are offered optional chess problems corresponding to their level of experience each week to further develop their spatial reasoning, critical thinking skills and chess tactics.

Riverfield Chess Club generally competes at one or more external (optional) chess tournaments such as the CT Scholastic State Championships, which the Club won in 2020!

Who can join? Chess Club is open to girls and boys, in grades 1 through 5, at any skill level, from “I have no idea what chess is” to children wanting to compete in external state tournaments. We offer something for everyone. Roughly 150 students were Chess Club Members pre- pandemic and we look forward to seeing the club thrive again in what will hopefully be a more normal school year! Registration details will be posted shortly before or shortly after Labor Day.

Chess Club Sounds Awesome – How do I Help?
There are many ways to help from setting up the APR on meeting days, recording games, supervising games and coaching, assisting with chess problems, assisting with organizing external activities, organizing awards ceremonies and much more!

Please contact David Thal, Parent Leader, at chessclub@riverfieldschoolpta.com with any questions or to volunteer.