Scholastic Chess Programs

Columbia Grammar

At Columbia Grammar, chess is included in the curriculum, one period a week, for all kindergarten, first grade and second grade classes. CGPS believes that the educational benefits of chess are completely transferable to subjects such as math and English. Sophia Rohde, KCN's Scholastic Director, teaches the in-curriculum classes for K and 1, and John MacArthur teaches 2nd grade. The longstanding policy of in-curriculum chess at CGPS has resulted in two tremendous benefits to its students: (a) creative problem-solving and individual decision-making skills are developed, and (b) the school has an incredibly strong chess team!

Afterschool chess meets on Tuesdays (with Joel Benjamin, Michael Rohde and Nelson Dunn) and Thursdays (with Joel Benjamin, Sophia Rohde, and John MacArthur) with the Advanced Class (with Joel Benjamin and John MacArthur) and the girls class (with Sophia Rohde) meeting on Fridays. CGPS has sent teams to the New York City, New York State, and National Scholastic hampionships for many years, and nearly always finishes in the top 5 in each category.

A very popular event at CGPS is the monthly Friday afternoon Training Tournaments, which draws players from the entire city.