Capture, Escape, Block: Grade 2 Students Learn the Intricacies of Chess

In grade 2 at Eastover, students learn to play chess. Every other week on Friday afternoons, teachers present a new lesson. At the beginning of the year, it starts with learning the board and proper setup. Then they learn about each of the individual pieces, and only then do they start to learn about moving the pieces on the board. George Rackley (grade 2) explained what helps him remember how one piece moves: “I like the knight because it can do hippity, hippity, hop, and it can jump over pieces.”

During each lesson, teachers utilize vocabulary cards on the wall, an actual chessboard, and “First Move Chess,” an online program used to teach students in a classroom setting. This program offers one lesson at a time, asks questions of the class, and allows for touchscreen movement of pieces on the smart board. Teachers often pause the lessons mid-instruction for inquiry and analysis among the students.

“Why can’t the king capture the rook?” asks Mrs. Bramos. “Because the rook is too far away and is not within the ring of power,” answers Rei Honyi (grade 2) confidently, using the proper chess vocabulary to describe any space that is one square away from the king. 

Each classroom maintains several chessboards, enough for the entire class to play at the same time. Teachers also send home information about “No Stress Chess,” a board game that kids can purchase for home, to encourage families to play with their kids. When teachers find that kids have either played before or play at home, they encourage them to give tips to their opponents. “I told her not to move her bishop because then I could have gotten her king. So she moved her rook instead, which captured MY bishop!” exclaimed Mason Montgomery about his opponent, Alaina Shehata (grade 2). 

Once basic play is mastered, students learn how to analyze the board and determine how to get out of check. Then they learn about stalemate and checkmate, and grow a deeper strategic analysis of each move and how to really win the game! In the meantime, teachers remind their amateur students that this game is slow…. and it’s okay to not move right away. 

After each round of play in the classroom, teachers help the students review their games and treat them as true learning experiences, despite the fun of the game. “Please tell your chess opponent something positive about playing with them. Did they help you move? Did they give you a tip? Did they let you move slowly? Did they challenge your brain?” This important step highlights that even in competition, we can treat each other with kindness.