The Scholastic Chess Approach to Group Learning

At Scholastic Chess, we believe great lessons begin with great teachers. That’s why our curriculum is built to support every coach in delivering the highest-quality learning experience possible. The key components are as follows:

​

General Curriculum
A clear list of topics outlining what students are expected to learn at each stage, ensuring steady, age-appropriate progress. 

​

Lesson Planner
A structured sequence of lessons with detailed content breakdowns that guide coaches step-by-step through each topic.

​

Materials Database
A comprehensive collection of lesson materials organised by topic and sequence. Coaches can access model games, puzzles, and exercises to bring every lesson to life.

​

Together, these components give our coaches everything they need to teach with confidence and purpose — ensuring every child receives the best possible education in chess.

To make chess learning accessible and effective, we’ve designed a five-stage curriculum that grows with each student — from their first move to confident competition play and professional chess.

Beginner Bootcamp

A one-semester onboarding programme designed to teach absolute beginners the rules of chess and develop a passion for the game. This is an extremely important stage for young children, as it determines whether they will feel encouraged and motivated to continue playing. That’s why we’ve designed it with great care, with a strong focus on the teaching approach.

​

First-Mover

This level is designed for complete beginners and focuses on transforming curiosity into confidence. Students develop essential skills, and build the foundation to become comfortable, casual players. The emphasis is on fun, discovery, and forming positive learning habits that make chess an enjoyable part of kids' lives.

​

Tactician

The Tactician level is built around two key ideas: developing tactical strength and understanding chess through short, engaging games known as miniatures. At this stage, coaches guide students to recognise and apply tactical patterns with confidence, play active and attacking chess, and build essential positional understanding. The aim is to help them evolve into strong amateur players with the potential to progress further in chess as a competitive sport.

​

Strategist

This is the level where we build the foundation of a serious chess player. A large part of the curriculum at this stage is dedicated to positional play, planning in chess, and endgame fundamentals. With this foundation, players begin to compete seriously in tournaments and significantly improve their Ratings.

​

Maestro

This is a special level for advanced chess players who are considering a career as professional players. Here, we focus on complex positional and tactical ideas, including advanced calculation skills. At this level, players typically have a well-prepared opening repertoire that is individually customised to their chess style and needs.

Our club chess programme is designed to help every child grow from absolute beginner to FIDE-rated chess player. By the end of the course, students will have gained far more than just an understanding of the game — they will have developed skills and habits that last a lifetime.

Our ultimate aim is to inspire every student to think strategically, act confidently, and enjoy learning through play — both on and off the chessboard..

Our programme welcomes students of all ages and ability levels — from curious beginners to confident young competitors. Every class is structured to ensure that each child feels engaged, supported, and appropriately challenged.

​

We focus on small-group classes and an individualised approach to best support each child. Ultimately, our goal is to build a vibrant chess community — one where students respect one another, celebrate progress, and grow together through the shared joy of learning chess

At Scholastic Chess, we believe that how children learn is just as important as what they learn.

​

Our lessons are designed to be interactive, motivating, and thoughtfully structured — combining the discipline of chess study with the creativity of play. Every session encourages students to think critically, stay focused, and enjoy the process of discovery.

​

Our coaches are not just skilled players — they are trained educators who know how to make chess engaging, dynamic, and accessible to every child. Through ongoing support and shared best practices, our team ensures that each lesson is consistent in quality and tailored to the needs of each group.

​

Our programme equips coaches with effective teaching techniques and classroom management strategies, ensuring they deliver the highest-quality education possible.

​

Inspiring a Love for Chess

Our ultimate goal is simple — to inspire children to fall in love with chess, just as we did.

​

We achieve this by blending structured instruction with interactive, game-based learning that keeps motivation high. Lessons are lively, purposeful, and full of opportunities for students to apply what they’ve learned through practice and play.

​

Digital Learning with chess platforms

Technology plays an important role in how we support students’ learning beyond the classroom.

​

Each student receives a premium ChessKid subscription — a safe, child-friendly online platform powered by Chess.com. Through ChessKid, students can play games, solve puzzles, and watch short, engaging lessons at their own pace. Coaches track each student’s progress, provide personalised feedback, and celebrate milestones.

​

For our older and more advanced students, we also use the Lichess platform, where our Scholastic Chess Club page provides access to studies, curated exercises, and optional homework to deepen their understanding and strategic ability.

​

In-Class Practice

Every lesson includes live gameplay, where students put their new skills into action.

​

These sessions are more than just practice — they help children develop resilience, sportsmanship, and confidence, both on and off the board. Regular play allows each student to experience success, learn from mistakes, and gain a genuine sense of progress over time.

The Scholastic Chess team is now in charge of 250+ students from schools across Hong Kong and from our own academy space..