Chess Club
Creative Science School has a culture of chess playing. Over half of our students have participated in some aspect of our Chess for Success program.
Elements of the chess program include Chess Academy, Primary Chess Club, Chess Club, and Chess Team. Kindergarten students join Chess Academy in the spring to learn how to play.
In Chess Academy, students learn how to play chess, the names of the pieces, how to win at chess, chess etiquette, thinking skills, and how to have fun at chess.
Primary Chess Club is for kindergarten, first, and second grade students and includes instruction in chess etiquette, a chance to play chess against other young students, a noncompetitive setting, and a review of advanced rules such as castling and checkmate.
Chess Club, which happens in the fall, is for third through eighth grade students who know how to play chess. Students receive instruction in chess and chess etiquette, twice weekly opportunities to enjoy chess with other students, a review of advanced concepts such as castling, checkmate patterns, and en passant, and instruction in the principles of winning chess.
The purpose of Chess Team, which happens in the winter, is to provide competition and high-level chess instruction in order to best prepare team members for the regional and state chess meets. Many kids choose to join the Thunderbolts Chess Team for more advanced instruction and tournament competition. Our chess team has won numerous regional meets and has won trophies at the Oregon Chess Championship and the National Championship.