Coaching

Schools

Curriculum Lessons

Many Victorian schools have integrated chess into the school curriculum as an elective or compulsory subject. Please refer to the Why Learn Chess? section for information about the many educational benefits of chess. A school term program is made up of 8-10 lessons of one hour per week. The cost of curriculum lessons starts at $70 per hour.

A typical curriculum lesson consists of:

  1. A presentation by the chess coach on a chess theme, which includes:

    • Lessons in strategic play and positional understanding
    • Tactics – tricks and traps (pins, forks, skewers, discovered check, decoys, overloading)
    • How to become a better chess player – considering the consequences of your moves, calculation, psychological preparation, confidence building
    • Chess stories and history

  2. Practical exercises for the students, which include:

    • Puzzle sheets
    • Quiz/ question & answer session
    • Students are given exercises to do on their chess boards, such as checkmating with different combinations of pieces, memory exercises and other fun activities based on the theme covered in that day’s lesson

  3. Playing games against other students in a tournament format. Trophies are awarded at the end of each term
The lesson material is presented from a structured chess syllabus, and is tailored to the standard of the class and the desired outcomes of the session. For example, chess classes which are offered as a maths curriculum unit will focus on the mathematical aspects of chess – chess board geometry, co-ordinates, calculation, notation, counting squares & diagonals, piece values and visualisation.

zedChess staff have organized and taught curriculum classes at various schools in Melbourne, including Wesley College, Glamorgan, Geelong Grammar, Lauriston Girls’ School and Xavier College.

If you would like more information about integrating chess into a school curriculum, please call 9527-1049 or send an email to info@zedchess.com.au.

Before/ After School or Lunchtime Program

This program is similar to curriculum lessons, but is offered outside class hours. The focus is on the social/ recreational aspect of chess and on producing strong chess players. Schools which offer this program often do very well at interschool chess competitions.

A school term program is made up of 8-10 lessons of one hour per week. Before/ after school and lunchtime lessons start at $80 per hour.

Coaches provide lessons from a structured chess syllabus, followed by social and tournament games. Trophies are presented at the end of each term.

This program is often very popular as a lunchtime sport elective or an alternative to before/ after care.

Chess Demonstration / Exhibition

Bring a zedChess coach to your school! A coach will come out to your school to introduce the students (and teachers!) to chess.

The demonstration can be in the form of:

  • A lesson followed by supervised games
  • A simultaneous exhibition, where the coach will play 10 games of chess simultaneously
  • Fascinating stories about chess – legendary chess tournaments, famous grandmasters, interesting characters – chess history is packed with them!

Demonstrations last from one hour upwards. Let us know your needs and we will organise a suitable demonstration – zedChess coaches are available for school fetes, festivals, camps and other events.

Chess Demonstrations are priced at $100 per hour. Discounts apply for longer bookings.

For more information or to make a booking, please call 9527-1049 or send an email to info@zedchess.com.au.

Incursions

An incursion is an ideal introduction to chess for an entire year level or entire school. It consists of a tailored half-day or full-day chess program. An incursion can include:

  • Curriculum lessons
  • Demonstrations
  • Masterclass for strong players
  • Chess tournament
  • A combination of the above

The cost of a full-day incursion is $500

The cost of a half-day incursion is $300

Let us know your requirements and we will structure a suitable program. Additional zedChess coaches can be provided (at extra cost) if required.

For more information or to make a booking, please call 9527-1049 or send an email to info@zedchess.com.au.

Private Coaching

Chess lessons are provided in one-on-one or small group sessions at the client’s premises. We teach children and adult students of all standards - from beginner to expert. Private lessons start from $40 per hour.

Each lesson includes:

  1. Structured, prepared lesson material, tailored to the student’s level of skill. Instruction in various chess themes:
    • Tactics
    • Strategy
    • Opening preparation
    • Tournament play
    • Chess history, current events, world champions

  2. Monitoring of the student’s progress, immediate feedback, suggestions for improvement
  3. And of course – instructional games of chess

The material is presented in an informative, structured manner. We at zedChess believe that the best way to teach chess is to instil a love and enthusiasm for the game and encourage students to independently and proactively seek to improve their skills.

Current and former students of zedChess staff include state and national junior title holders.

If you would like more information about private chess coaching, please call 9527-1049 or send an email to info@zedchess.com.au.