CheckMates Chess

CheckMates Chess Providing primary schools with after-school chess clubs since 2021. Thank you."

"Our child learned a lot and improved her knowledge of chess and ability, and came to enjoy it very much.

New school year, brand new chess goals! ♟️✨At the start of term, motivation is sky-high and everyone can't wait to play....
31/08/2026

New school year, brand new chess goals! ♟️✨

At the start of term, motivation is sky-high and everyone can't wait to play. But once homework piles up, football matches take over and birthday parties fill the calendar, chess can easily take a back seat...📚⚽

That’s okay! Motivation comes in waves, and some weeks are just busier than others 🌊

The secret to staying sharp isn't practicing for hours, it's keeping up small habits 🧏🏼‍♀️

On days when you're short on time but still want to keep your chess brain sharp, try these:

✅ Solve 2 quick puzzles to keep your eye sharp 🧩
✅ Play one 5-minute blitz game just for fun ⏱️
✅ Always return to the board: Even if you take a break altogether, remember that chess skill is built brick by brick over time 🧱

Your pieces aren’t going anywhere. Keep the spark alive, jump back in whenever you're ready and keep going! 💪

28/08/2026

Puzzle of the Week 🧩
White to move ◻️ Level: Intermediate 💫

"Is Chess actually a Sport?" ♟️🏅It’s one of the biggest debates ever! Some people say "100% yes," while others say "no w...
28/08/2026

"Is Chess actually a Sport?" ♟️🏅

It’s one of the biggest debates ever! Some people say "100% yes," while others say "no way, you’re just sitting in a chair!" 😅🪑

Those who argue it's not a sport will say:

❌️ There’s no running, kicking, jumping, or scoring goals ⛹️🤾‍♀️

❌ Your brain isn't a muscle you can flex, so moving little wooden pieces doesn't feel like exercise! 🏋💪

❌️Physical skill doesn’t change the outcome: In sports like football or tennis, your speed and reflexes decide who wins, but moving a chess piece takes zero athletic ability! 🏃‍♂️

Those who argue that chess is a sport will counter with:

✅ The Olympic Committee officially recognises chess as a sport!🥇

✅ Playing a long match takes serious stamina: your heart races, your brain works overtime, and you have to stay laser-focused for hours 🧠 🤯

✅ Top players train at the gym and do other physical excersise so their bodies don't get tired during big tournaments! 🏃‍♂️🏋️‍♀️

Whether you think it's a real sport or not, no one can deny that chess is way more than just a simple board game. It’s a battle of strategy, practice and brainpower! 🧠⚡

What do you think, is chess a sport? 🤓

27/08/2026

Puzzle of the Week 🧩
White to move ◻️ Level: Beginner 🤖

BACK TO SCHOOL = BACK TO CHESS! 🎒♟️Where did the summer break go? It feels like it just started! 😱While heading back to ...
24/08/2026

BACK TO SCHOOL = BACK TO CHESS! 🎒♟️

Where did the summer break go? It feels like it just started! 😱

While heading back to school means packing bags and setting alarms, it's definitely not all bad news: we get to see our friends again, and of course, chess club is starting back up! ♟️

Any child who has been practicing their chess over the break will come in flying, ready to learn even more and win their games 🪄

If you forgot all about the chessboard over summer, you might feel a little rusty, but don't worry, you still have time to brush up just in time for club to return! 🏃‍♂️

Chess is just like riding a bike, the basic skills come right back 🚴‍♀️
But players who sneak in a little board practice this week will have a serious head start! 🚀

21/08/2026

Puzzle of the Week 🧩
Black to move ◼️ Level: Intermediate 🚀

What Makes Chess So Fun? ♟️🙌🏼​It’s easy to look at chess and just see people sitting quietly, calculating moves over lit...
21/08/2026

What Makes Chess So Fun? ♟️🙌🏼

​It’s easy to look at chess and just see people sitting quietly, calculating moves over little wooden figurines. Next to the high-energy cheers of a football match or the loud beats of a dance class, it might seem slow and quite boring from the outside... until you actually sit down to play! ⚽🎶

​The thrill of outsmarting your opponent with a clever trap is unmatched. No two games are ever the same, every match is unique, giving you the freedom to test wild, creative attacks! ⚔️🤺

​Plus, chess club isn't always a whisper-quiet library! We laugh through silly blunders, celebrate amazing tactics, and have a blast with friends! 😆

​Don't be fooled, the action on the chessboard is pure excitement! 💫
There's a reason people get hooked! 🤸‍♀️

​

20/08/2026

Puzzle of the Week 🧩
Black to move ◼️ Level: Beginner 🏹

Don't Compare Your Chess Journey to Others! ♟️📈Have you ever seen a friend learn a new chess trick faster than you, or s...
10/08/2026

Don't Compare Your Chess Journey to Others! ♟️📈

Have you ever seen a friend learn a new chess trick faster than you, or start winning games right away? 🤯
No matter how many times you play against them, they always seem to get the better of you 😮‍💨
You feel like your progress is stalling while there's is skyrocketing? 🚀

It can be easy to feel discouraged, but mastering chess is a marathon, not a sprint! 🏃💨
Some players pick up ideas really quickly at the start, but that doesn't mean you can't catch up! Big success in chess doesn't come from fast starts, it comes from continuous effort 💪
When you keep practicing, learning from your mistakes and showing up to the board, your skills will build up step by step!
Everyone learns at their own pace, and every grandmaster was once a beginner who refused to give up 🏆
So don't compare yourself to others. Stay in your lane, celebrate every small improvement and most importantly....enjoy the journey! 🫶🙌

07/08/2026

Puzzle of the Week 🧩
White to move ◻️ Level: Intermediate 😉

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