“Infinite potential within finite structures”

"That's what chess is. That's what children are." 

The Montessori School of Champaign-Urbana has undertaken a new Chess Enrichment Program this school year under the guidance of US Chess-certified Instructor Rachel Schechter, Administrator George Cook, and School Manager Rick Dunn.

The mission statement of the program calls for "using the chessboard to develop student potential in relation to math, verbal, and social skills, logic, focus, planning, problem solving, critical thinking and abstract reasoning in a caring, child-centered environment. "

Since launching the K-3 program in the Fall of 2015 with two classes and eight students, the program has more than doubled in size.  

Classes are small, interactive, unique.  Children learn at their own pace, independently and collaboratively, in accordance with the Montessori philosophy.  

While two students play a round of mini-chess, a third solves a chess problem on the demo board, and another writes an entry in the chess club's diary. 

“Paralleling chess, we teach children to set life goals then plan strategies to achieve them," says Schechter.  

"Taking responsibility for your actions is key.  For example, if one student disrespects another, he/she may lose class privileges until the conflict is peacefully resolved.  Similarly, if you don’t castle your king to safety, you may be quickly checkmated!” 

The school now has five student-directed groups with clever-sounding names developed by the students:  Black Hawks, Cheetahs, Dragons, Crystal Ninjas and Rainbow Rooks. 

The program has empowered the students to go beyond the names, creating mascots and journals of unique design. Says Coach Schechter, "The youngsters planned and designed their mascots. These mascots double as “secret chess weapons” which are activated via pawn promotion, and come onto the board to capture or defend .... well, we can't divulge the whole secret of their powers!"

Suffice to say this creative element has generated much debate among students and has added an exciting new dimension to the royal game.   

“We utilize the chessboard as a success board; each child progresses at his/her own pace,” says the coach (fondly dubbed Miss Rachel by her students).  “We’re also creating our own chessboards and pieces.  It’s a fun intellectual adventure!”

What begins as: “The d7 pawn is missing from the demo board…”  turns into a detective's mystery!

Students loved solving the ”The Case of the Missing Pawn” replete with suspects, clues, motives, analysis, deduction:  “Did the bishop perform an illegal en passant and steal the pawn?”…

At MSCU, chess takes on a life beyond 64 black-and-white squares; says Coach Schechter, "Chess here is colorful, creative, inventive, exploratory.... backgrounded by Mozart."

What about competition?

Says Coach Schechter, "Competition is a component -- not the mainstay -- of MSCU Chess."  

"Are the children proud of Emil LeBauer for winning the first grade championship at the April 2016 Chess Fest tournament?  Of course!"

However, they are equally proud of:   

• Jack Hennessey’s original Chess Crossword Puzzle, 
• Marshall Bigler’s Knights’ Tours,
• Selene Wong’s Queen / Knight play,
• Michael Bambenek’s chess art,
• Garrett Cook’s peer-teaching,
• Marshall Flynn-Mitchell’s chess grids,
• Maddy Bigler’s notation skills,  
• and the following “Chess Jests” created by Halle Youse and Victoria Bagby referencing their club mascot, ChessTer Fire Dragon:

Q.  Why did ChessTer the Dragon enter the chess game?  A. To fire up the pieces.

Q.  Why is ChessTer the Dragon hiding under his bed covers? A. He’s afraid of the Knight.

Q.  How did ChessTer the Dragon break his tooth? A. On a piece of Rook candy.

And leave us not forget this delightful ditty from kindergarteners Ana Alvarez Wyman & Katie Fromm:

“Baa Baa Chesspiece — Have you any moves? Yes sir, yes sir, Mate in 2.

Pawn to e4, pawn to e5

Pawn to f3, Queen mates… surprise!

Baa Baa Chesspiece—have you anymore?

Yessir, Yessir, Mate in 4….”

Under Coach Schechter's watchful eye and enthusiasm, MSCU chess is all about building. Says Schechter, “We use chess to build confidence, character and community … advancing one child at a time.  If we turn out a few good chess players in the process —that's the proverbial icing on the cake.”

When asked what she likes most about teaching chess to kids, Miss Rachel replies, "It’s what I see in the children’s eyes. As long as the children are in the game, there's hope in the world.”

And what about the aforementioned missing d7 pawn?  Schechter shrugs and smiles:  “My cat ate it?”

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US Chess-Certified Coach Rachel Schechter teaches chess at MSCU, Dr G's ChessWorks and Carrie Busey Elementary in Champaign-Urbana.

From Kindergarten to College, from New Jersey to Maine to California to Illinois, Schechter has instructed students in chess and literary arts for over 25 years.  Newly appointed to the ICA Youth Committee, Schechter is coordinating the first annual Lincoln Squares Summer Scholastic Invitational and is working to establish a permanent chess residence or “castle” in Champaign-Urbana.