Happy New Year from Summit School of Chess!

We are excited to announce that in January 2023, we will be launching our first line of merchandise. Stay tuned for updates on what items will be available.

At Summit School of Chess, we are committed to providing high-quality chess coaching services for students of all ages in the Denver area. Our team of experienced coaches offer both in-person and online lessons, as well as small group instruction and chess clubs at schools.

In addition to our coaching services, we also host the best chess tournaments in Colorado on a monthly basis at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. These tournaments provide a great opportunity for players of all skill levels to compete and improve their game.

As we continue to grow and expand, we are always looking for new schools, coaches, and volunteers to partner with. If you are interested in working with us, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

We hope you have a great start to the new year and we look forward to continuing to bring the joy of chess to the Denver community.

Welcome to Summit School of Chess!

Welcome to Summit School of Chess!

If you’re reading this, you’re likely interested in improving your chess skills and reaching new heights in your chess journey. We’re here to help you do just that.

First and foremost, it’s important to remember that chess is a game that requires patience, dedication, and a willingness to learn. It’s not uncommon to feel frustrated or stuck at times, but it’s important to keep a positive attitude and keep pushing forward.

One of the keys to improving your chess skills is to regularly practice and play against strong opponents. This will help you identify your weaknesses and work on them. It’s also a good idea to study chess openings, tactics, and strategy in order to gain a deeper understanding of the game.

Another important aspect of chess improvement is staying motivated and consistently setting goals for yourself. It can be helpful to break your long-term goals into smaller, achievable steps. This way, you can celebrate your progress along the way and stay motivated to keep going.

At Summit School of Chess, we offer a variety of resources and services to help you reach your chess goals. Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced player looking to take your game to the next level, we have something for you. Our team of experienced coaches is dedicated to helping you succeed and reach your full potential.

So don’t let fear or self-doubt hold you back. Embrace the challenge of chess and take the first step towards improvement today. We’re here to support and encourage you every step of the way.

Happy chess!

Are my children ready for chess tournaments?

As a chess coach, one of the most common questions we get from parents is when their child should start competing in tournaments. While it may seem intimidating to throw a young child into the competitive world of chess, there are actually many benefits to getting kids involved in tournaments at a young age.

One of the biggest benefits of chess tournaments for children is that they provide a structured and focused environment for kids to practice and improve their chess skills. In a tournament setting, kids are forced to concentrate and make strategic decisions under time pressure, which helps them develop critical thinking skills and learn to focus for longer periods of time.

Another benefit of chess tournaments is that they provide a sense of accomplishment and pride for kids. When children compete and do well in a tournament, it can boost their self-esteem and give them a sense of accomplishment. This can be especially important for younger children, who may not yet have developed a strong sense of self-worth.

Chess tournaments can also be a great way for kids to socialize and make new friends. In a chess tournament, kids will be surrounded by other kids who are interested in the same hobby and may have similar skill levels. This can be a great opportunity for kids to bond over their shared love of chess and make lasting friendships.

Finally, chess tournaments can be a great way to expose kids to new challenges and help them learn how to handle stress and setbacks. In any competition, there will be wins and losses, and kids can learn valuable lessons about how to handle both. By competing in tournaments, kids can learn how to deal with the pressure of competition and how to bounce back from setbacks.

Overall, there are many benefits to getting kids involved in chess tournaments at a young age. While it may seem intimidating at first, the structured and focused environment of a tournament can help kids improve their skills, boost their self-esteem, make new friends, and learn valuable life lessons. If you’re considering signing your child up for a chess tournament, don’t hesitate – the earlier they start, the more they stand to gain.

New Merchandise!!

Looking for some unique and original chess artwork for your next t-shirt or hoodie? Look no further! Our chess merchandise features stunning, one-of-a-kind designs that are sure to impress any chess enthusiast. From bold and vibrant graphics to intricate and detailed illustrations, our selection has something for everyone.

Not only do our chess t-shirts and hoodies look great, but they are also made from high-quality materials that are comfortable to wear and built to last. Whether you’re looking for a casual option to wear during your next chess tournament or a more stylish option to wear on a night out, we have something that will fit your needs.

In addition to our wide selection of chess t-shirts and hoodies, we also offer a variety of other chess merchandise, including hats, mugs, and more. So why wait? Check out our collection today and find the perfect chess artwork to show off your love for the game.

Improve your Visualization & Calculation in Chess

Improving visualization skills is an important aspect of becoming a strong chess player. Being able to visualize the possible move variations in a chess game can help players anticipate their opponent’s moves and make more strategic decisions. Here are some tips for improving your visualization skills when calculating possible move variations in chess:

  1. Practice regularly: The key to improving any skill is practice, and this is especially true for visualization. Set aside some time each day to practice visualizing move variations in chess. Start with simple positions and gradually increase the complexity as you improve.
  2. Use visualization techniques: There are several visualization techniques that can help you improve your skills. One popular technique is to imagine a grid over the chessboard, with each square representing a possible move. This can help you organize your thoughts and make it easier to visualize the possible move variations.
  3. Study master games: Another way to improve your visualization skills is to study master games. Look for patterns and common move variations in these games and try to visualize them yourself. This will help you develop a mental library of common move variations that you can use in your own games.
  4. Play through entire games in your head: One of the best ways to improve your visualization skills is to play through entire games in your head. Start with a position from a real game, and then try to visualize all of the possible move variations. This will help you develop your ability to see the big picture and anticipate your opponent’s moves.
  5. Use visualization aids: There are also several aids available that can help you improve your visualization skills. For example, you can use chess software to visualize possible move variations, or you can use physical aids such as a chess board and pieces to help you visualize the positions.

By practicing regularly, using visualization techniques, studying master games, playing through entire games in your head, and using visualization aids, you can improve your visualization skills and become a stronger chess player.

Chess Learning to the Newcomer/Beginners – Empower thinking & abilities

Hello and welcome to our chess coaching company! We believe in developing skill by creating a fun and empowering environment where chess learning for newcomer/ beginners become fun & easy to learn.

We believe that chess is not just a game, but a valuable life skill that can help children develop their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. At our company, we strive to create a fun and empowering environment where children can learn and grow through the game of chess.

Our experienced coaches are passionate about the game and are dedicated to helping each student reach their full potential. We offer a range of classes and programs, designed to cater to children of all ages and skill levels. Whether your child is a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced player looking to take their game to the next level, we have something for everyone.

In addition to providing high-quality instruction, we also prioritize creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere. We want our students to feel empowered and confident in their abilities, both on and off the chessboard. We believe that through the game of chess, children can learn important life skills such as persistence, resilience, and sportsmanship.

We are proud to be a leading provider of chess education for children and we look forward to helping your child develop their skills and passion for the game. Thank you for considering our company for your child’s chess education.

Join Online Chess Training

AI advice on how to become a chess master

With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) I wanted to ask the most recent platform ChatGBT how to become a chess master. Here’s the response I received. I hope you find value in it.

Becoming a chess master requires a combination of hard work, dedication, and natural talent. To become a chess master, you will need to study the game extensively and learn as much as you can about chess strategy and tactics. You will also need to practice regularly, either by playing against other skilled players or by solving chess puzzles. In addition, it can be helpful to attend chess tournaments and join a chess club where you can learn from more experienced players. Finally, having a natural talent for the game and a strong aptitude for strategic thinking can also be beneficial.

2022-2023 Colorado Chess League

Calling All Elementary/Middle Schoolers

The Colorado Chess League (formerly Denver Chess League) has been around for ~30 years. We promote and manage a league for schools to create chess teams and compete with each other throughout all Colorado.

DETAILS

WHO: Colorado schools. You + 3 classmates (A team requires 4 players. A school can have more than one team)

WHERE: Online via www.chess.com

WHEN: Beginning the first week of November 2022. (Oct 31st is the last day to register)

HOW: Use the link below to register and find all information.

COST: $50 per team
INFO & REGISTRATION LINK

How Chess is Going So Far This Year

My staff and I are currently teaching chess to 275+ kids each week through 14 school programs and 3 online group lessons.

I’m working (and looking to work) with several new schools and coaches as we expand across the Greater Denver Area and into Colorado Springs!

We just ran our first tournament of the season at Jefferson County Fairgrounds on Sept 17th, 2022. We had 70 participants with some coming as far as Wyoming or Colorado Springs! There were 3 masters and $576 in prize money for the OPEN section (for both adults and kids). We had the most AMAZING lunch from my new inlaws. She’s one of the most amazing cooks I’ve ever encountered and I’m so thankful our community gets to enjoy her skills.

If you’re interested to have a chess program at your child’s school – please hit me up OR if you’re an enthusiastic chess player wanting to bring the next generation of kids into chess – hit me up also!

The Importance of Chess in School

Introduction

Most people think of chess as a game for nerds. And while it’s true that chess can be very complex, it also has a lot of benefits for students. Chess teaches kids how to think critically and strategically while they play. It’s also been shown to improve their mental health and academic performance, not to mention social skills as well! Rather than banning the game from your child’s school curriculum, encourage them to play.

Improved Critical Thinking Skills

Critical thinking is a skill that many employers are looking for in prospective employees. It’s also an important life skill, as you will have to make decisions based on your own critical thinking abilities.

Chess can help students develop this skill by developing their ability to plan ahead and predict the consequences of their actions. These skills can help students be more successful in school, at work and even in their personal lives

Mental Health Benefits

The game is also a great way to improve mental health. In fact, it can help children develop skills that are crucial in ensuring they lead healthy and successful lives as adults. By playing chess, children build their focus and decision-making capabilities, learn how to solve problems more efficiently, and increase their memory capacity. The game also helps them develop critical thinking skills, creativity and self confidence—all of which are essential for a child’s development into an adult who is able to function well in society.

Higher Test Scores

Chess develops skills that are essential for academic success. Studies have shown that kids who play chess do better on standardized tests than their peers who don’t play chess, and it’s not just a matter of IQ. Chess teaches kids how to study, learn, memorize information and think critically. It also helps kids develop their math skills by teaching them about patterns, shapes and numbers.

In short: if your kid is struggling in school because they’re not good at tests or remembering things from class—get them playing chess!

Increased Academic Performance

Studies have shown that students who play chess see an increase in their academic performance. Students who play chess are able to learn faster, and retain more information than those who do not. Chess also teaches students how to problem solve, and develop critical thinking skills. Additionally, playing chess improves a student’s creativity and concentration by making them think outside the box.

Improved Social Skills

As a classroom teacher, you know that teamwork is important. Chess can help children develop these skills by giving them the opportunity to communicate with their peers in a fun environment. As they play the game together, they’ll learn how to manage frustration and work well under pressure.

The chess board is a blank slate where any number of scenarios can be played out in real life: two armies face off on opposite sides of the board; two friends argue over who gets paid first when working at a lemonade stand; an army captain asks for volunteers from his troops as he leads them into battle against another army…. These are just some examples of how chess can be used as an opportunity for cooperative learning among students.

chess is the perfect compliment to school curriculum and the benefits are extensive

Chess is absolutely the perfect complement to school curriculum.

Chess teaches critical thinking skills, which are essential for success in life. Chess helps children develop their minds, allowing them to think ahead, plan ahead and visualize future events. This promotes creativity and imagination as well as providing important cognitive benefits such as self-confidence, focus and concentration on tasks at hand (known as selective attention).

Conclusion

Chess is a great way to improve critical thinking skills, but it also has many other benefits. It can be used in the classroom to improve academic performance and test scores, enhance social skills, and increase mental health. As educators continue to search for ways to help students succeed in today’s world, chess should be considered as an important tool that offers both mental health benefits and academic achievement.