Harlem Academy Chess Club & Team:
TEAM RECOGNITION:
Program Vision:
From complete beginners to advancing tournament players our goal is that all Harlem Academy players can experience both the joy & significant social/educational benefits of learning and playing chess.
Students in grades one to four have weekly instructional chess as part of their regular schedule, and all Harlem Academy students will receive a gold membership to ChessKids online platform.
Students in grades one to eight will have the opportunity to join our chess club and team. Players will be matched into groups based on skill, interest level & age. This will allow coaches to identify and create the right training environment for each player (complete beginner - advanced competitors). The club and team will meet on Monday afternoons from 3:30 to 5 p.m. When coaches determine that players are ready, they will also have the opportunity to prepare for and participate in local, City, State & National Competitions.
Harlem Academy is offering the chess program with no additional cost for families but with the expectation that players (with families in support) agree to full participation in our weekly sessions and regular independent practice through ChessKids.
ICN class groupings (subject to change based on program enrollment):
Kings: 1200+ USCF
Queens: 800+ USCF
Rooks: U800 (300-799 USCF)
Bishops: U300 players with an eye towards competition
Pawns: 1st through 8th Grade, Introductory Coaching & Play
Program Schedule: Monday Chess Club & Team
Grade 2- 11:30 to 12:15 (45 min.)
Grade 4- 12:20 to 1:15 (55 min.)
Grade 1- 1:20 to 2:05 (45 min.)
Grade 3- 2:30 to 3:25 (55 min.)
Chess Club and Team- 3:30 to 5:00pm
If there's any scheduling concerns, please contact HarlemAcademyChess@gmail.com.
Each Harlem Academy Club & Team member will receive a team shirt
Every Harlem Academy student will receive a gold membership to www.chesskid.com.
Monday Chess Club & Team
Fall Monday 2025: September 15th - January 26th
(WE FOLLOW HARLEM ACADEMY SCHOOL CALENDAR: DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE*)
September 15th, 22nd, 29th
October 6th, 27th
November 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
December 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
January 5th, 12th, 26th
Chess Club and Team Details
Enrollment: Harlem Academy's Chess Club and Team is open to all students with no additional cost to families but with the expectation that participants are fully and positively engaged in the weekly sessions and that they complete their independent chess practice. Students in Grades 5 to 8 will have the opportunity to sign-up for chess at the start of the school year. Students in grades 1 to 4 will begin the year with their weekly chess class and then have the opportunity to move into the club after getting some skills and good practice habits established.
Meeting Logistics: Club and team players will be brought from homerooms to Chess Club at 3:30pm. (They will already have had snacks, so masks can stay on as we engage in a mixed grade activity.) The Chess Club will meet in the main building's Common Room (with windows on 111th Street) and have breakout space into the Library as needed. At 5:00 PM players will return to their respective classrooms for study hall and pick-up.
Club and Team Goals: A high emphasis on participation, engagement and self-study will be encouraged. The team will have a weekly opening meeting, where past week’s success is recognized, the upcoming events are emphasized and expectations and team spirit is reinforced. Coaches will get to know each player in the program and be able to speak on each one's strengths and weaknesses as their relationship with the program evolves over time. Lateral movements will occur, as we experiment with class grouping and activities to identify the optimal training opportunities for our players. Players will be promoted throughout the season as coaches feel fit. Even as we continue to grow our program and competitive team, there remains the opportunity for more social, less competitive play as well. Our goal is for each player to feel connected to the program and enjoy pride for both their individual and our collective success.
We will continue to welcome all students and find the right balance for each and every one. We want everyone to engage with the chess program at their comfort level, where the entire student body can enjoy the great benefits of this incredible game.
Additional Information: Each Harlem Academy program member will receive a team shirt, access to Daily Online League Play + Social Room and also a www.chesskid.com gold membership.
Team Competitions:
Our Harlem Academy Team will compete at Local, City, State & National competitions.
Contact Your Harlem Academy Coaching Team:
Email: HarlemAcademyChess@gmail.com