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Topic · 3 guides

Chess in schools

For teachers and school leaders: starting a school chess program, running a school chess club, a chess curriculum for schools, and what scholastic chess is.

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How to start a chess program in schools

Start a school chess program with a clear proposal, staffing and cost plan, then review attendance, pupil feedback and demonstrated chess skills.

29 min read · 11 sections · updated Oct 18, 2026

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About this topic

A school chess program has to fit the school day, work for teachers who may not play, and give students a reason to keep coming back. Clubs, curriculum lessons and scholastic tournaments each solve a different part of that, and most schools start with one before adding the others.

Start with the pillar on starting a chess program in schools, which covers the case to leadership, staffing and the first term. The club guide gives a weekly plan for an after-school club. The curriculum guide sets out a scope and sequence for teaching chess inside lessons, and the scholastic chess guide explains how school sections and team events work, so students have something to aim for.

Guides in Chess in schools2

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