ChessEdu.org White Belt Chess Curriculum: Chess for the Classroom

The ChessEdu.org curriculum is designed to use chess as a tool for teaching problem-solving, creative thinking, and abstract reasoning in a classroom setting, be it in a public or private school, home school or other institution, or for personal use. Chess offers the means of teaching mental abilities used throughout life: concentration, critical thinking, abstract reasoning, strategic planning, problem solving, visualization skills, creativity, and patience to name just a few. To help capture the imagination of the student, we have organized the ChessEdu.org curriculum around a belt system similar to that of Brazilian Jiujitsu. Anyone can implement the ChessEdu.org curriculum. One does not need to be an accomplished chess player to begin. International Master James Rizzitano says "The ChessEdu.org White Belt Chess Curriculum is a great way to introduce beginning players of all ages to the fascinating world of chess. The curriculum includes chapters on the history and rules of chess, the value of the pieces, instructive chess problems, and basic mating patterns. There is also helpful information on setting up a chess classroom and the benefits of learning chess and applying these logic skills to other fields." While National Master Bruce Pandolfini notes he was "Truly impressed with the ChessEdu.org curriculum, I'm honored to learn that my previous efforts at developing such a syllabus have been a guiding beacon. Indeed, Mark Donlan's wonderful program is everything I've aimed for and much, much more. I congratulate him for creating this masterwork of chess education."