Chess Club

K-5 students won 1st place in the Quad C Chess tournament and the K-3 Primary team came in 2nd place at Tates Creek High School this weekend. 

WHAT IS THE CHESS CLUB?

Meadowthorpe has an active chess club.  We are an affiliate member of the U.S. Chess Federation.  Our goal is for students to learn chess, improve their skills and have fun playing together.  Chess is good exercise for the mind and most of all, it is fun to play and we will teach you!  Our chess team has been the state elementary champions for the past two years.  

WHEN DOES THE CHESS CLUB MEET?

Beginners:   Thursdays 2:30 –3:15pm  beginning on October 7^th.    Advanced and intermediate players may attend to practice games.  But this day will be devoted to teaching beginners.  Advanced students may be asked to help other students in short sessions.  So be prepared.  A student may graduate to the advanced class as they become better.

Advanced:   Tuesdays 2:30 – 3:45pm beginning on October 4^th.   Students attending this session must be reviewed by one of the coaches or have a USCF rating above 500 to attend.  Since we are paying for tutors, there will be a small weekly or monthly fee, to be determined.  We may have guest tutors from time to time.  Hopefully we can get Grand Master Goldin to teach a few sessions!   

HOW DO I JOIN?

Fill out the student information sheet attached and get your parent’s signature.  Return the form and the dues to the school office as soon as possible but prior to October 12^th.  Dues are $15.00 but are not mandatory if you cannot afford it.  Please make checks payable to Meadowthorpe Chess Club. 

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO AS A MEMBER?

You must follow the rules:  be respectful, be a good sportsman and help your fellow players.  If you continually break the rules, we will send a note home and call your parents.  If you continue to break the rules, we will ask you to leave.  You do not have to compete in tournaments or know how to play chess in order to join the Chess Club.  We provide chess boards and teaching materials.  

WHAT ABOUT TOURNAMENTS?

Tournaments are an excellent way to improve your skills and they are a lot of fun.  Tournaments are between schools and individuals at a local, regional and state level.  As you can see in the library, our team has won a lot of trophies.  Also, many of our individual players have won trophies too.  You may be asking, “I am only a beginner and how can I have a chance of winning?”  When you go to a tournament, you are playing a player on the same level.  In order to play in a tournament, you must join the U.S. Chess Federation.  We will send home information about joining the Chess Federation and upcoming tournaments.

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?

Based on the number of chess club participants in previous years, we need parents to help supervise students, assist at dismissal time, and to teach/play with beginning and/or advanced students.  It is important that you pick up your child promptly each week as our parent volunteers have commitments after Chess Club.  

We need help with fundraising and need a committee to work in this capacity.  In the past, we have received donations from Toyota.  So contact your employer about sponsoring the team.  Remember, we are state champions and want to go to national tournaments.  Also, these donations can offset some of the tutoring costs.  Contact us if you would help with fundraising.  This is a good opportunity for parents to help when they cannot help weekly after school.  

We will try to stay in touch by email.  Please email us at meadowthorpechess@yahoo.com with your child’s information, your names, phone numbers and your interest in volunteering.  This email will assist us in mass mailings regarding club activities.  If you do not have an email address, you will receive flyers instead.  So check those backpacks!  

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO VOLUNTEER:

Contact: