top of page

2025 Summer Chess Camps for Kids!


Our 2-week summer camps provide 25 hours of chess instruction over 10 weekdays. For each 2-week camp, there are two sections to choose from.

 

A camp section runs for 2.5 hours per day, Monday – Friday

 

Our Level 1 camp covers chess basics for those who need to learn how to play the game or strengthen their fundamentals. Our Level 2 camp goes beyond the basics, and provides more advanced instruction for more experienced/emerging players.  Choose the camp dates and skill level that are best for the camper.  See additional details below.

​

Learn, Compete, Connect and have Fun!

CAMP OVERVIEW

 

WHO:

From beginners to intermediate level players in K-12 grades.  Maximum of 12 students per camp section.

 

Our Level 1 Camp section will cover the basics of chess, and is structured for kids who want to learn how to play chess, or strengthen their chess fundamentals if they already have some understanding of how to play the game. Players in the Level 1 Camp will typically be unrated or have a US Chess rating under 400. To ensure a good fit, campers will take an evaluation quiz to help the camp coaching staff assess the chess skill level of each camper.

 

Our Level 2 Camp section goes beyond the basics, and provides more advanced instruction for more experienced/emerging players. Players in the Level 2 Camp will typically have a US Chess rating over 400, but under 1000. To ensure a good fit, campers will take an evaluation quiz to help the camp coaching staff assess the chess skill level of each camper.

 

NOTE: Manasota Chess Center may need to merge camps and/or camp times to ensure a critical mass of students in each camp section.  Each camp section is supported by two chess instructors, who can support  different skill levels of campers.

 

WHEN:

​

CAMP A DATES

  • Week 1: June 23 – 27

  • Week 2: June 30 – July 7 (extended to July 7 due to July 4th holiday)

 

CAMP B DATES:

  • Week 1: July 14 – 18

  • Week 2: July 21 – 25

​

CAMP SECTION LEVELS, HOURS, AND STRUCTURE:

 

Level1 Chess Basics Camp Section: 10am–12:30pm

  • 10:00 – 10:45 Interactive lecture (see lecture topics in 
    “WHAT” section below)

  • 10:45 – 12:00 student games and instructor analysis

  • 12:00 – 12:30 Demonstration of basic endgames

 

Level 2 Beyond the Basics Camp Section: 2:00-4:30pm

  • 2:00 – 2:45 Interactive lecture (see lecture topics in

      “WHAT” section below)

  • 2:45 – 4:00 student games and famous instructive games

  • 4:00 – 4:30 Demonstration of advanced endgames

 

WHAT:

Our structured camp classes will include the following topics:
 

LEVEL 1 CHESS BASICS CAMP

  • Chess notation

  • How to create an attack

  • How to defend an attacked piece

  • Two-fold attack, how to get an advantage

  • Value of pieces and profitable exchanges

  • Rules of castling

  • The pawn moves and en passant rules

  • How to check the king, and get out of check

  • How to create checkmate

  • Checkmate patterns

  • How to draw, including stalemate

 

LEVEL 2 BEYOND THE BASICS CAMP

  • More time reviewing student and instructive games

  • General Concepts (Basic Tactics)

    • Activity of Pieces

    • Double Attacks

    • Pins

    • Discovered Attacks

  • Basic Elements of Strategy

    • King Safety

    • Pawn Structure

    • Space, Development

    • Weak Squares

  • Principles of the Opening

  • Basic Middle Game Plans

  • Basic King and Pawn Endings

    • Opposition

    • Square of the pawn

    • Outside Passed Pawn

    • Centralize King

    • Square of the pawn

    • Outside Passed Pawn

    • Centralize King

 

PRICE:
$375 per 2-week camp section (25 hours of chess instruction over 10 weekdays).
 

WHERE:
Manasota Chess Center, 3501 South Tamiami Trail, Suite 96, Sarasota


HOW:
To register for a camp section, click here

​

QUESTIONS:

Send email to info@manasotachess.org or call 941-900-3296

​

We look forward to seeing you at our Summer Chess Camps

bottom of page