Berkeley Parents Network: Chess Classes

Berkeley Parents Network

Chess Classes

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Classes & Lessons > Chess Classes

Berkeley Chess School Summer Camp
Seeking chess class for 10 year old
Looking for the chess teacher from Montessori Family School
Chess groups for 6 and 8 year olds

Berkeley Chess School Summer Camp

March 2007

I noticed on the Berkeley Chess School website that they offer a summer camp program. Anyone have any experiences to share, especially regarding a 7 year old attending? Also curious to hear about the full day vs. half day programs. They've been doing the camp for 17 years and I couldn't find any reviews on the Parents Network website. Many thanks! Lise

My six-year-old attended the Berkeley Chess School's camp for a week last summer, and she loved it. We did the full-day option, which is basically a half day of playtime (good playground and art stuff is available) and a half day of fun chess class and games. The funny part was that when I asked her what she did in the ''free time'' half of the day, she always said she played more chess. They spent that time outside for the most part, from what I could see, but the kids were having so much fun with the chess that they just kept it up. Everything I've seen about the program and the staff is positive. I can recommend the camp for a young child. My now-seven-year old is going again this year. a camper's mom

Seeking chess class for 10 year old

February 2003

Does anyone know of a good chess school, club or tutor in Berkeley or Oakland? My 10 year old son has loved chess since he was 3 and has a natural talent for the game (despite the fact it does less than nothing for his parents). After years of playing pick up games with whoever walks in the door, he very much wants to learn more advanced stuff (openings, gambits, etc) and meet other kids who play. His school does not have a chess club. He needs interaction as he wouldn't study it out of a book on his own. I checked the archives and couldn't find anything. Does anyone have any specific recommendations? Thanks. Out of Depth (as to chess) Mom

The Berkeley Chess School is the best. Check out their website berkeleychessschool.org and a telephone number 510-843-0150 All sorts of great chess learning opportunities for kids of all ages and skill levels. My kids (7 and 10yrs now) have followed their programs - summer camps, afterschool classes, tutors, chess club and competitive local team for 4 years with great success and joy. Judith

i don't have a specific answer, but my brother (age 8) is a member of some chess club in ohio that has sites across the country--i went to their webstite, http://www.uschess.org/--and they do list at least one club in berkeley. you might want to check it out! good for other chess info too. jessz

The Berkeley Chess School is a good place to start. Visit berkeleychesschool.org. They run chess classes at bay area schools but also offer a friday night session and summer school. Mary Corley

Best place to start is the berkeley chess school. Phone number is 843-0150, or for private tutor Ben Russack was good working with our son who is now 7. He is USCF rated and has taught for 5 years. 510-665-6074 or email benjamin_russack AT hotmail.com. kathryn

Two things in Albany: 1. The Community Center offers kids' chess classes. 2. The Albany library has FREE drop-in chess for all levels on Tuesday evenings. R.K.

Albany Library has good quality chess class, which I think is free on tuesday or wednsday. Good place to meet other kid players with very good instruction. Class starts with teacher going over some facit of the game followed by open play with teacher support. Berkeley has chess club, Im pretty sure. Dont have contact. Peter

Looking for the chess teacher from Montessori Family School

January 2003

Hello, I am trying to find out a gentleman named 'Ed' who taught Chess as a hobby class at the Montessori Family School. My son really bonded well with him and wanted to continue learning the game. It would be great if anyone can give me his phone number. Thank you priya

Ed the chess teacher's last name is Hirsch. He teaches at Madera elementary school after school, so you could probably get a phone number for him from Madera's flyer for afterschool programs; ask at the school's office. Alternatively, the school's afterschool coordinator, Sandy Thacker, should know his number. My son took chess classes from Ed; he was a great teacher. brian

Chess groups for 6 and 8 year olds

June 2002

My 6 and 8 year old boys have discovered chess, and I would like them to learn and play with others more skilled than I am and to provide opportunities for them to play with others their own ages. Does anyone know of any chess instructors or groups for kids their ages? andrea

The Berkeley Chess School is great. They have summer camps this summer, teach classes in many of the local schools as well as their own Friday evening class, and run a VERY low key US Chess Federation kids' chess tournament every Friday night (except in the summer; they start again on Sept. 6). The Director, Elizabeth Shaughnessy, is a former Irish National Champion, and a wonderful, colorful character. Check out their web site: www.berkeleychessschool.org. Leslie

Berkeley Chess Club is an excellent resource for chess for all ages. They have a web site. They have a 'tournament' for children and adults every Friday night at Epworth Church in North Berkeley. My 6 year old enjoyed it the one time we were able to make it. They also have a summer camp which we will be trying out later this summer; and they teach a lot of the after school chess classes at various schools. Hope this helps. ellen

Our 6 year old son started with The Berkeley Chess School at Berkeley Montessori when he was 4. We moved to Washington School this year and he continued with the afterschool program (even though the minimum age was supposed to be 1st grade). He played kids up through 5th grade. He enjoyed it for the first semester, then felt that they weren't learning anything new. He started tournament chess with kids his age in December or so, played in three tournaments and then has taken a break from the whole scene. I think the Berkeley Chess School is great. The tournaments were pretty intense (some ''stage dads'' evident and it was almost entirely boys). He won his first game and felt very positive about it. Then he lost and drew on his next two games and at age 6, I think that bummed him out. We play with him at home so I am sure he will pick it up again. The after school club is pretty low key and available at many of the Berkeley Public Schools. The number for the Chess School is 843- 0150. The Chess School is also running summer camps. Kathryn

There is a free Chess Club at the Albany Public library every Tuesday night from 6:00 - 8:00. The young man who runs it is David Pruess. It is for all ages, but there are many who are your children's ages. There is also the Berkeley Chess Club, and they are listed in the phone book. It is not just in Berkeley. They have chess club every Friday night I think, at the Northbrae Community Church (?) on The Alameda near Solano Avenue. There are private instructors in this area, as well. If none of that pans out, you can contact the US Chess Foundation. They have an internet site (http:.//www.uschess.org/) and have been helpful to us in finding instructors for our 15 year old. Feel free to contact me via e-mail, and I could give you some phone numbers. Good luck. Tobie

The Berkeley Chess School runs a summer chess camp for children. It also runs programs during the school year at many of the public schools in Berkeley and around the bay area. Phone 510-843-0150 for information. Pamela

The Berkeley Chess School offered chess classes for children in the past, so you might call them: 843-0150 anon

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