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 two-stage curriculum that grows with each student — from their first move to confident competition play. First Movers This level is designed for complete beginners and focuses on transforming curiosity into confidence. Students learn the rules of chess, 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 school life. Tactician The Tactician level is built around two key ideas: Developing tactical strength Understanding chess through short and engaging games (miniatures) At this stage, coaches guide students to: Recognise and apply tactical patterns with confidence Play active, attacking chess Build essential positional understanding Evolve into strong amateur players with the potential to advance further in chess as a competitive sport Providing these skills represents the most valuable contribution a school chess program can make — nurturing young minds to think critically, act decisively, and enjoy healthy competition. At Scholastic Chess, we believe chess is more than a game — it’s a powerful tool for cognitive development. Research consistently supports its benefits in enhancing focus, memory, and problem-solving skills. That’s why our programme integrates targeted cognitive exercises designed to strengthen these abilities. In our internal knowledge base, coaches can find examples of chess-based activities categorised by skill type, helping students grow both as players and thinkers.

Our school chess programme is designed to help every child grow from complete beginner to confident, independent 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. After completing the programme, students will: ​ Know how to play chess with confidence and understand its fundamental principles. Discover a new lifelong hobby that encourages focus, patience, and creativity. Be introduced to the wider world of chess, supported by engaging digital tools that guide them beyond the classroom. Experience measurable cognitive benefits, including stronger memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills. Showcase emerging talent, allowing coaches to identify promising players and nurture them towards representing their school team. 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 understand how to manage large school groups effectively, and when necessary, we divide classes into smaller groups so students can progress at their own pace. ​ Ultimately, our goal is to build a vibrant chess community within your school — one where students respect one another, celebrate progress, and grow together through the shared joy of learning chess.

A major part of our curriculum focuses not only on what we teach, but how we teach it. ​ To support effective classroom delivery, Scholastic Chess has developed a dedicated Coach Handbook — a comprehensive supplement that breaks down lesson design from a practical and pedagogical perspective. It includes: ​ Classroom management strategies tailored for large groups Advanced teaching techniques such as blended learning and the station-rotation method Guidance on the coach’s role, responsibilities, and best practices By following these guidelines, our instructors grow not only as chess specialists but as confident educators who inspire curiosity and teamwork. ​ Inspiring a Love for Chess Our ultimate goal is simple — to inspire children to fall in love with chess (just like we did!). To achieve this, we blend structured instruction with engaging, game-based learning methods designed to keep motivation high throughout the school year. ​ Digital Learning with ChessKid Each student receives a premium ChessKid subscription — a safe, child-friendly online platform powered by Chess.com. Students can play games, solve puzzles, and watch lessons at home or at school. Coaches can track each student’s progress in real time, offer personalised recommendations, and celebrate milestones. ​ Interactive Merit Point System To encourage consistent effort, students earn Merit Points for their weekly activities on ChessKid, such as: Completing a chess lesson Solving at least five puzzles Playing a game Watching a training video Top performers at the end of each term are recognised by Scholastic Chess for their commitment and enthusiasm. This system promotes healthy study habits and friendly competition. ​ In-Class Tournaments Every class includes live gameplay, allowing students to apply what they’ve learned in real situations. These games form part of a semester-long tournament, with winners celebrated at term’s end. This regular practice nurtures resilience, sportsmanship, and confidence — the qualities that define a true chess player.

The Scholastic Chess team is now in charge of 250+ students from schools across Hong Kong and from our own academy space. ​ Every instructor at Scholastic Chess holds recognised educational chess qualifications—such as FIDE School Instructor and FIDE Developmental Instructor—along with professional chess credentials like FIDE Master (FM) and FIDE National Arbiter (NA). ​ Together, our coaches form one of Hong Kong’s most experienced and passionate school chess teaching teams—ready to inspire, mentor, and empower every student to grow their skills and love for the game.