About the Course
In CTY’s Skillshop Challenge: Chess Club, you’ll join a community of regular players who share your passion for the game while sharpening your tactics, strategies, and confidence. Each week, you’ll explore new openings, game techniques, and decision-making skills through discussions, practice games, and challenges with your classmates. As you progress, you’ll test and improve your abilities in friendly competitions and collaborative problem-solving activities while learning how to analyze an opponent’s moves and support your peers. The experience culminates in a final capstone chess challenge where you’ll showcase your strategic growth and celebrate your accomplishments as part of the CTY chess community.
This Skillshop Challenge emphasizes exploration, collaboration, and skill development while giving you the chance to push your game to the next level.
The content in Skillshop Challenge: Chess Club overlaps with the CTY course Chess Club. Students who have already taken Chess Club may wish to consult with an enrollment advisor before selecting this course.
Learning Objectives
- Apply intermediate or advanced-level strategies and tactics in live and simulated games, including opening traps, tactical combinations, and positional play
- Analyze and evaluate chess games, identifying critical moments, mistakes, and alternative lines using notation and strategic reasoning
- Demonstrate improved decision-making and time management under competitive conditions, including rapid and tournament-style formats
- Collaborate with peers to solve complex chess puzzles, discuss strategic ideas, and refine techniques through guided analysis and feedback
- Participate confidently in a culminating internal chess tournament, showcasing growth in skill, sportsmanship, and strategic thinking
About Skillshop Challenge courses
Skillshop Challenge courses build community among learners with shared interests by providing a space for exploration and skill development. These courses culminate in an accomplishment such as a capstone project or in the completion of a competitive goal.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
Online
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Days: Every Mon for 7 weeks
Times: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Register by: February 17, 2026
Time Commitment:
Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected].
Families will be notified by email of any required materials one week prior to the course start date.
Time Commitment: 2.5-3.5 hours per week (1.5 hours of class time, 1-2 hours of independent work). The course will include 6 sessions over 6 weeks.
Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
Learn more about Financial Aid