✨♟ Every Master Was Once a Beginner ♟✨ Just like a pawn dreaming of becoming a queen, every child who walks into our dojo starts with a vision of who they can become. At Checkmate Ninja Chess Dojo, we teach our students to visualize their future self—on and off the chessboard. With discipline, strategy, and a ninja’s focus, small steps turn into great victories. Because in chess (and in life): ➡️ It’s not about where you start. ➡️ It’s about who you believe you can become. 🔥 Parents—let your child’s journey begin today. 👉 Join the Dojo. 👉 Unlock their inner Ninja. 👉 Watch them transform, one move at a time. 📍 McAllen, TX | 💻 Online & In-person | 🌐 CheckmateNinja.com

🎉♟️ 2025 Texas State Women’s Chess Championship ♟️🎉 Calling all queens of the board! 👑✨ Join us for the Texas State Women’s Championship this October 4–5 at the Tech Mahindra Americas Office in Plano, TX. 📍 Location: 5850 Granite Pkwy, Suite 1200, Plano, TX 75024 🗓️ Dates: October 4–5, 2025 This historic event, powered by Tech Mahindra Global Chess League and UTD Chess, brings together the best women chess players in Texas for two days of strategy, competition, and inspiration. 👉 Register now and be part of Texas women’s chess history: txw.chess.stream #TexasChess #WomensChess #ChessChampionship #TexasState

Bring your own chess set!

1. Youth as the Lifeblood of Chess Spassky highlights that chess, like any cultural or intellectual pursuit, thrives when the next generation embraces it. If young people see chess as exciting, valuable, and rewarding, the game naturally takes a stronger place in society. Conversely, if youth lose interest, chess risks fading into the background, no matter how strong its traditions. ⸻ 2. Cultural Relevance Chess has always mirrored the values of its era. In times when young people viewed it as a path to discipline, honor, and prestige (like in the Soviet Union), it became a central part of education and national identity. Today, when children engage with chess through apps, online communities, and scholastic clubs, they shape the cultural meaning of chess for the digital age. ⸻ 3. Education and Growth Young people represent more than just numbers on a tournament chart; they embody curiosity, creativity, and potential. By learning chess, they bring new ideas, approaches, and even playful experimentation to the game. This keeps chess evolving rather than stagnating in old forms. The place of chess in schools, after-school programs, and family homes depends largely on how children perceive its usefulness—whether as a tool for learning, a social activity, or simply fun. ⸻ 4. Responsibility of Adults Spassky’s words also serve as a call to action for parents, teachers, coaches, and club organizers. If society wants chess to hold a meaningful place, it must inspire young people through creative teaching methods, engaging formats, and visible role models. Adults are the bridge—shaping that initial spark of curiosity into a lasting love for the game. ⸻ 5. The Legacy Factor Every chess master was once a beginner. If youth are nurtured with positive experiences in chess, they will carry those values forward as players, coaches, and advocates. The health of chess fifty years from now will depend on how today’s children relate to the game. ⸻ ✅ In essence: Spassky reminds us that the survival and importance of chess in society is not determined by past champions or current federations—it rests in the hands of the young. If they see chess as a meaningful part of life, it will flourish; if not, it will wither.

We had a great time at Homeschool Chess Club today! ♟️✨ Top 3 Benefits of Chess for Kids: 1️⃣ Builds critical thinking & problem-solving skills 2️⃣ Improves focus, patience, and memory 3️⃣ Encourages confidence and creativity 📅 We meet every Thursday from 1–4 PM. Bring your kids to learn, play, and grow with us—new players always welcome! 🧡🖤 Every Master Was Once a Beginner

Invest in Minds, Not in Waste Instead of pouring resources into projects that are understudied and barely impactful, why not direct funding to chess? Chess is more than just a game — it is a proven tool for developing critical thinking, discipline, patience, and problem-solving skills. Every child who learns chess learns how to plan, analyze, and make better decisions — qualities our society needs far more than another poorly conceived project. If we want a generation of citizens who can think critically and act wisely, then let us invest in chess programs in schools and communities.

Mindsets: Chess in Education Conference to Take Place in New York City on December 6

Mindsets: Chess in Education Conference to Take Place in New York City on December 6

Screens vs. Brain: Why Chess Offers What Electronics Can’t Walk into any restaurant, waiting room, or living room today, and you’ll see the same scene: children with their faces glued to glowing screens. Tablets, phones, game consoles—they’ve become the babysitters of the modern age. But here’s the truth most parents already feel deep down: too much screen time doesn’t just keep kids quiet, it quietly steals from them. Recent research from child development experts has shown that excessive screen use is linked to language delays, shorter attention spans, and struggles with emotional regulation. A child zoning out to a video may look calm, but their brain isn’t building the skills it needs for real-life problem solving and focus. That’s where chess comes in. ⸻ 1. Screens Train Passive Consumption—Chess Trains Active Thinking Screens are designed to capture attention without effort. A swipe, a click, a scroll—it’s stimulation on autopilot. But real growth happens when the brain works. Chess demands engagement. Every move forces a child to analyze, predict, plan, and make decisions. It’s active—not passive. Instead of following the next YouTube recommendation, they’re building the mental muscles to look two, three, or even four steps ahead. ⸻ 2. Screens Create Isolation—Chess Builds Connection Screens pull kids inward. Earbuds in, eyes down, lost in their own world. Chess pulls kids outward. Sitting across from an opponent, looking someone in the eye, shaking hands before and after—it teaches social interaction, patience, and respect. For kids struggling with too much digital isolation, chess reintroduces the human element. ⸻ 3. Screens Shorten Attention—Chess Stretches It Fast cuts, endless notifications, dopamine hits—screens shrink a child’s ability to focus. Chess does the opposite. It teaches sustained concentration. A single game can last thirty minutes or more, requiring focus through each stage: the opening, middlegame, and endgame. Over time, kids learn the value of slowing down and thinking deeply. ⸻ 4. Screens Reward Quick Fixes—Chess Rewards Resilience Screens hand out rewards instantly: coins in a game, likes on a post, the next funny video queued up. Chess builds a different kind of reward system. Victory doesn’t come from a single tap—it comes from perseverance, strategy, and learning from mistakes. Losing a game becomes a lesson in resilience. Kids discover that failure isn’t final—it’s feedback. ⸻ 5. Screens Take—Chess Gives Screens drain time and energy, often leaving children restless or irritable afterward. Chess gives back. It strengthens memory, problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. More than that, it gives kids confidence—the feeling that they can face challenges, make choices, and succeed without relying on a device to entertain them. ⸻ A Movement for Parents: #ChessNotElectronics This isn’t about banning electronics. Screens will always be part of our world. But balance is the key. Parents can reclaim family life and set their kids up for long-term success by introducing chess as the counterbalance to screen time. Imagine replacing just 30 minutes of scrolling with 30 minutes of chess. That’s 30 minutes of real conversation, critical thinking, and bonding. The choice is simple: Screens consume your child’s time. Chess builds your child’s mind. It’s time to make the switch. It’s time for #ChessNotElectronics.

Parent Tips: Helping Your Child Improve at Chess Here are a few simple ways you can support your child’s chess growth at home: 1. Play Together – Even if you’re not a chess expert, playing casual games helps your child practice moving pieces and thinking ahead. 2. Ask “Why?” Questions – Instead of telling them the best move, ask, “Why did you move that piece?” This helps them explain their thought process. 3. Encourage Puzzle Practice – Chess puzzles (on ChessKid or in books) build tactical skills and pattern recognition. Just 10–15 minutes a day makes a big difference. 4. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Wins – Praise your child for trying new strategies, even if they lose. This builds resilience and creativity. 5. Create a Chess Routine – Consistency is key. A regular time each week to play, practice, or review games will strengthen their skills. With your encouragement at home and our lessons together, your child will continue to grow in confidence and ability—both on and off the chessboard. Thank you for being an important part of your child’s chess journey!

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