Philosophy

A. Chess is an enjoyable way to learn some of life's basic principles.
B. Chess helps children develop many parts of their brain.
If it weren't for A and B, I wouldn't be teaching chess.
C. Chess is a combination of strategy and tactics. Tactics are the nasty moves that win material. Strategy is the long-range planning when no tactical moves are available.
D. In practice, like in any other endeavor, we don't necessarily play a game of chess. There are lots of drills we do to learn various endgames, and openings.
E. I do use a rating system. Every child will have a rating. This serves 3 purposes.
1) The child can watch his/her progress
2) Children will know who to play (someone with a similar rating) and who not to play.
3) If we need to name a team, I have an objective way of doing that.
Although I like to see continual progress, I know that they will plateau at several points.
Often children take a long time to get above 120 - don't worry it will come.
Points are gained by:
Attendance (5 pts)
Solving puzzles (2 pts apiece)
Playing games (+/-1 to 31 pts)
Mastering a drill (10 pts)
My goal every year with every club is to perform to our maximum at the state tournament. At tournaments, a reasonable goal is to score one half point more than their best performance before.

And finally, although the object is to win, and success is measured by winning, chess is in many ways like a symphony. The ultimate object is that together, with your opponent, you create something beautiful - No one even asks - "Who won the oboes or the violins?" In the same way, a chess game should be beautiful and enjoyable no matter who wins. A child came to me at one tournament and said "That was the best game I ever played!" "Did you win or lose?" "I lost, but it was a really good game!" I knew he understood what chess was about.