FIDE Master Arthur Xu will happily organize and facilitate a chess club at Xilin Asian Community Center in Spring 2024. Players will play simul games with Arthur and practice games with other club players. FM Xu will also analyze club players’ games for improvement and engage players in solving chess puzzles and sharpening tactics. Players are expected to bring their own chess sets and clocks to practice. Several chess sets are available, but players are recommended to have their own chess sets and game clocks. FM Xu will organize players to attend national and state-level chess tournaments when it's possible. Beginning and intermediate level players in K-8 Grades are welcome. The materials and content will be differentiated by chess levels. The chess club will meet at 3:30-5:00 pm on Saturday from March to May 2024.

Why a child should join the chess club

Playing chess can boost young players’ brainpower. Studies have shown that chess can improve students’ academic achievements at school. When young students play chess, they are engaged in calculation, pattern recognition, deep thinking, strategic planning, and problem-solving. Meanwhile, chess can help young students foster the character needed to achieve long-term goals. Chess is a great game to develop a person’s grit. Grit means focused attention, resilience and perseverance. 

At the club, players will have an opportunity to learn with a chess master who will model his strategic planning and problem-solving skills. Eventually, players will gain fundamental knowledge and skills about chess, develop a tough mentality, and make friends.

Club schedule: 

03/02: Introduction; playing matches to know chess levels

03/09: Chess tactics practice-fork and pin; playing matches 

03/16: Chess tactics practice-skewer; playing matches

04/13: Chess tactics practice-mate in one, two, and more; playing matches  

04/20: Chess tactics practice-deflection; playing matches