ICA and Chicago Chess Foundation Team Up on Free Tools for Coaches

ICA and the new Chicago Chess Foundation (CCF) have collaborated on three new teaching tools designed to make coaching easier and more fun. The new tools are free and downloadable.

“Teaching Chess to Groups” is a handbook describing methods of keeping kids interested and focused during lessons. It includes specific techniques aimed at increasing interactivity and getting the most out of teaching with computers.

“Beginner and Intermediate Chess” is a curriculum containing approximately 50 lessons on chess fundamentals.

 

The third product, perhaps the most innovative, is a PGN file of the curriculum's 152 board diagrams. It allows coaches using computers and projectors or smart boards, utilizing any common chess software, to bring up the diagrams in a playable format, allowing experimentation with multiple moves and lines.

Among those involved in preparing these materials were Jerry Neugarten, Florin Felecan, Bill Brock, and David Franklin. Comments and suggestions are welcome.