1 «CHESS FOR SCHOOL» FEDERAL COURSE 1994 – 2013 (in Russian) Publisher: Dukhovnoye Vozrozhdeniye Education and Methodological Association Obninsk City Author: I.G. Sukhin, Moscow, Russia

2 Chess for School Federal Course

3 The main purpose of the «Chess for School» Course is the phased development of children's ability to act "in mind" In the 1960s it was found that the only intellectual ability which cannot be reduced to a mere accumulation of knowledge and skills and which develops in the course of learning is the ability to act in mind. This ability is one of the most important indicators of the overall development of human psyche; it is the indissoluble unity of imagination, attention, memory and thinking, which consists in the human ability to operate in mind with the substitutes of real objects (without performing any large-scale actions with them in space). Development of the ability to act in mind is important for all kinds of human activity because each of them requires that one should perform a certain sequence of operations.

4 It is known that the ability to act in mind should be specifically developed, and its development is a slow process, involving prolonged mental education of children and finishing at the age of about 12 years. Most intensely this ability develops at a young age, but in conventional systems of education it is not purposefully and consistently shaped. For this reason, the ability to act in mind only reaches its optimum level of development in 5 % people. A clearly structured process of teaching the basics of chess to children is the most appropriate tool that allows us to develop the ability to act in mind. All the components of the Chess for School course have been specifically developed to achieve this global objective.

5 Recommended by the Ministry of Education of Russia includes teaching and learning packages (TLPs) for three years of study: «Chess, First Year» TLP, «Chess, Second Year» TLP, «Chess, Third Year» TLP «Chess, First Year» TLP includes: 1. The «Chess, First Year» program The textbook for the first year of primary school «Chess, First Year, or Where Black and White Squares are Full of Mystery and Wonder: The Textbook» (Part 1 and Part 2). 4. The teachers book «Chess, First Year, or I Learn and Teach» The workbooks «Chess, First Year, or Where Black and White Squares are Full of Mystery and Wonder: The Workbook» (Part 1 and Part 2). 7. The testbook «Chess, First Year, or Where Black and White Squares are Full of Mystery and Wonder: The Testbook». 8. The problem book «Chess, First Year: Problem Book: One-Move Checkmate: 1500 Positions with a Small Number of Pieces».

6 «Chess, Second Year» TLP includes: 1. The «Chess, Second Year» Program The textbook for the second year of primary school «Chess, Second Year, or We Play and Win: The Textbook» (Part 1 and Part 2). 4. The teachers book «Chess, Second Year, or I Learn and Teach » The workbooks «Chess, Second Year, or We Play and Win: The Workbook» (Part 1 and Part 2). 7. The testbook «Chess, Second Year, or We Play and Win: The Testbook». 8. The problem book «Problems for the «Chess for School» Course: Second Year». «Chess, Third Year» TLP includes: 1. The «Chess, Third Year» Program The textbook for the third year of primary school «Chess, Third Year, or Secrets of the Royal Game: The Textbook» (Part 1 and Part 2). 4. The teachers book «Chess, Third Year, or I Learn and Teach» The workbooks «Chess, Third Year, or Secrets of the Royal Game: The Workbook» (Part 1 and Part 2). 7. The testbook «Chess, Third Year, or Secrets of the Royal Game: The Testbook». 8. The problem book «Problems for the «Chess for School» Course: Third Year».

7 Programs for Three Years of Study

8 «Chess, First Year» TLP 1. The «Chess, First Year» Program was first published in the «Nachalnaya Shkola» Magazine (1994, 9) and «Vestnik Obrazovaniya» (1994, 9). The programs for two years of study «Chess, First Year» and «Chess, Second Year» were given in the collected volume «Programs for General Education Schools: Primary School (1 – 4)» (Moscow: Prosveshcheniye, 1996). The programs for three years of study «Chess, First Year», «Chess, Second Year» and «Chess, Third Year» were given in the collected volumes «Programs for General Education Schools: Primary School (1 – 4)» (Moscow: Prosveshcheniye, 1998), «Programs for General Education Schools: Primary School (1 – 4). In Two Parts. Part Two» (Moscow: Prosveshcheniye, 2000, 2001, 2002). A separate edition of the programs for three years of study came out in 2010: I.G. Sukhin «Programs of the «Chess for School» Course: For Primary School» (Obninsk: Dukhovnoye Vozrozhdeniye Publishers, – 40 p.). On the Internet, you can find the program for the first year at:

Textbook for Primary School, First Year of Study Textbook «Chess, First Year, or Where Black and White Squares are Full of Mystery and Wonder: Textbook for Primary School, First Year of Study». In Two Parts (1998, 2009, 2011, 2012)

10 It is the first chess textbook in world practice that has been specially created for primary school. The textbook contains the most basic chess material which is further reinforced with a big number of unique didactic games and tasks. Even though the textbook was created for the first grade of primary school, it can be used at the initial stage of learning in the other grades of primary school, as well as in the pre- school kindergarten group. It is due to the fact that each type of didactic tasks and games includes problems of varying complexity. The book is part of the «Chess, First Year» Teaching and Learning Package.

11 4. Teachers Book, First Year Teachers Book «Chess, First Year, or I Learn and Teach» (1999, 2011)

12 This book is the first-ever manual for primary school teachers who do not have much knowledge in the field of chess. This teachers book is designed to be used with the textbook for the first year of study «Chess, First Year, or Where Black and White Squares are Full of Mystery and Wonder». The manual gives a detailed description of the techniques and methods to be applied to each class. Every chapter-class begins with an explanation of essential chess information for the teacher. A big number of fun tasks and exciting didactic games to be found in the manual will enable the teacher to turn each class into a special occasion for the children. The book is meant for primary school teachers, teachers of pre- school kindergarten groups, coaches and instructors, as well as parents.

Workbooks, First Year Workbooks: «Chess, First Year, or Where Black and White Squares are Full of Mystery and Wonder: Workbook: Part 1» (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) «Chess, First Year, or Where Black and White Squares are Full of Mystery and Wonder: Workbook: Part 2» (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)

14 The workbooks contain fun tasks which will help the child to learn the basics of chess. Using the workbooks, the child will be helping the Absent-Minded Artist to correct his mistakes and solve different riddles. The workbooks include materials related to the «Chess, First Year» Program, «Chess, First Year, or Where Black and White Squares are Full of Mystery and Wonder» Textbook, «Chess, First Year, or I Learn and Teach» Teachers Book.

15 7. Testbook, First Year Testbook «Chess, First Year, or Where Black and White Squares are Full of Mystery and Wonder: Testbook» (2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011).

16 Each of the 15 tests contains 16 questions (tasks) to be answered (done) in minutes and is given on a separate sheet. The main purpose of the testbook is to conduct a routine check after covering each big topic of the curriculum. There are two possible variants of conducting the check, which are equally valid: 1. Before each test, the testbooks are handed out to the students. 2. The students only get the sheets with the current test, cut out of the testbook. For this purpose, each sheet has the following fields to be filled in: School Number and Grade, Students Name, etc. The testbook can be used at different stages of the learning process for frontal, group, and individual work, as well as for work in pairs.

17 8. Problem Book, First Year Problem Book «Chess, First Year: Problem Book: One- Move Checkmate: 1500 Positions with a Small Number of Pieces» (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012).

18 The ability to declare checkmate on the opponent is the foundation of chess art. However, in the mass of chess literature, the most important stage of learning – one-move checkmate problems – has been undeservedly ignored. The problem book includes materials related to the «Chess, First Year» Program, «Chess, First Year, or Where Black and White Squares are Full of Mystery and Wonder» Textbook for Students, and «Chess, First Year, or I Learn and Teach» Teachers Book. The collected volume contains 1500 problems: 1242 clearly structured three-, four- and five-piece positions-patterns, covering all typical mating setups for the relevant number of pieces, and a practice-oriented section which consists of 258 study positions.

19 «Chess, Second Year» TLP 1. The «Chess, Second Year» Program was first published in the «Nachalnaya Shkola» Magazine (1995, 8) and «Vestnik Obrazovaniya» (1995, 9). The programs for two years of study «Chess, First Year» and «Chess, Second Year» were given in the collected volume «Programs for General Education Schools: Primary School (1 – 4)» (Moscow: Prosveshcheniye, 1996). The programs for three years of study «Chess, First Year», «Chess, Second Year» and «Chess, Third Year» were given in the collected volumes «Programs for General Education Schools: Primary School (1 – 4)» (Moscow: Prosveshcheniye, 1998), «Programs for General Education Schools: Primary School (1 – 4). In Two Parts. Part Two» (Moscow: Prosveshcheniye, 2000, 2001, 2002). A separate edition of the programs for three years of study came out in 2010: I.G. Sukhin «Programs of the «Chess for School» Course: For Primary School» (Obninsk: Dukhovnoye Vozrozhdeniye Publishers, p.). On the Internet, you can find the program for the second year at:

Textbook for Primary School, Second Year of Study Textbook «Chess, Second Year, or We Play and Win: Textbook for Primary School, Second Year of Study». In Two Parts (2003, 2007, 2008, 2011)

21 This textbook continues the primary course for learning the basics of chess and follows the textbook «Chess, First Year, or Where Black and White Squares are Full of Mystery and Wonder». The chess theory is further reinforced with a broad range of didactic tasks and games and vast abundance of illustrations and chess diagrams. The textbook is meant for the second grade of primary school, but it can be used to give classes in the other grades of primary school, as well. It is due to the fact that each section offers both easy and difficult tasks. There is a manual for teachers (and parents) «Chess, Second Year, or I Learn and Teach» which is designed to be used with the textbook «Chess, Second Year, or We Play and Win».

22 4. Teachers Book, Second Year Teachers Book «Chess, Second Year, or I Learn and Teach» (2004, 2008, 2012)

23 This manual explains how a teacher with minimum chess background should give classes to second-year students, using the textbook «Chess, Second Year, or We Play and Win». The teachers book will also be of interest to parents who assist their children in mastering the basics of chess. For teachers who are only familiar with chess based on the Chess, First Year TLP, essential explanations are given. The manual describes each of the 33 lessons in detail and provides keys to most of the tasks and problems from the textbook.

Workbooks, Second Year Workbooks: «Chess, Second Year, or We Play and Win: Workbook: Part 1» (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012) «Chess, Second Year, or We Play and Win: Workbook: Part 2» (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012)

25 The workbooks contain fun tasks which will help the child to learn the basics of chess. Using the workbooks, the child will be helping the Absent-Minded Artist to correct his mistakes and solve different riddles. The workbooks include materials related to the «Chess, Second Year» Program, «Chess, Second Year, or We Play and Win» Textbook for Students, and «Chess, Second Year, or I Learn and Teach» Teachers Book. The workbooks are meant for the second year of study in any grade of primary school. If the workbooks are used in the first grade, it is not necessary to do the tasks which involve using chess notation, and it is possible to mark solutions to most tasks and problems with arrows.

26 7. Testbook, Second Year Testbook «Chess, Second Year, or We Play and Win: Testbook» (2008, 2013)

27 The workbook is meant for the second year of study in any grade of primary school. Each of its 15 tests is expected to be done in minutes and is given on a separate sheet. The main purpose of the testbook is to conduct a routine check after covering each big topic of the curriculum. There are two possible variants of conducting the check, which are equally valid: 1. Before each test, the testbooks are handed out to the students. 2. The students only get the sheets with the current test, cut out of the testbook. For this purpose, each sheet has the following fields to be filled in: School Number and Grade, Students Name, etc. The testbook can be used at different stages of the learning process for frontal, group, and individual work, as well as for work in pairs.

28 8. Problem Book, Second Year Problem Book «Problems for the «Chess for School» Course. Second Year of Study» (2012)

29 The contribution of chess to developing the new generation, the children of the 21 st century, cannot be overestimated fun and study tasks given in this collected volume and aimed at delivering checkmate are designed to assist the child in transferring from visual to logical thinking. This publication is a logical continuation of the book «Chess, First Year. Problem Book. One-Move Checkmate: 1500 Positions with a Small Number of Pieces». The book includes materials related to the «Chess, Second Year» Program, «Chess, Second Year, or We Play and Win» Textbook for Students, and «Chess, Second Year, or I Learn and Teach» Teachers Book, recommended by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation.

30 «Chess, Third Year» TLP 1. The «Chess, Third Year» Program was first published in the «Nachalnaya Shkola» Magazine (1997, 10) and «Vestnik Obrazovaniya» (1998, 4). The programs for three years of study «Chess, First Year», «Chess, Second Year» and «Chess, Third Year» were given in the collected volumes «Programs for General Education Schools: Primary School (1 – 4)» (Moscow: Prosveshcheniye, 1998), «Programs for General Education Schools: Primary School (1 – 4). In Two Parts. Part Two» (Moscow: Prosveshcheniye, 2000, 2001, 2002). A separate edition of the programs for three years of study came out in 2010: I.G. Sukhin «Programs of the «Chess for School» Course: For Primary School» (Obninsk: Dukhovnoye Vozrozhdeniye Publishers, p.). On the Internet, you can find the program for the second year at:

Textbook for Primary School, Third Year of Study Textbook «Chess, Third Year, or Secrets of the Royal Game: Textbook for Primary School, Third Year of Study». In Two Parts (2008)

32 This textbook continues the primary course for learning the basics of chess and follows the textbooks «Chess, First Year, or Where Black and White Squares are Full of Mystery and Wonder» and «Chess, Second Year, or We Play and Win». The chess theory is further reinforced with a broad range of didactic tasks and games and vast abundance of illustrations and chess diagrams. The textbook is meant for the third grade of primary school, but it can be used to give classes in the other grades of primary school, as well. It is due to the fact that each section offers both easy and difficult tasks. There is a manual for teachers (and parents) «Chess, Third Year, or I Learn and Teach» which is designed to be used with the textbook «Chess, Third Year, or Secrets of the Royal Game».

33 4. Teachers Book, Third Year Teachers Book «Chess, Third Year, or I Learn and Teach» (2009)

34 This manual explains how a teacher with minimum chess background should give classes to third-year students, using the textbook «Chess, Third Year, or Secrets of the Royal Game». The focus of attention is unconventional fun tasks. The teachers book will also be useful for parents who assist their children in mastering the basics of chess. For teachers who are only familiar with chess based on the Chess, First Year TLP and Chess, Second Year TLP, essential explanations are given. The manual describes each of the 66 lessons in detail and provides keys to most of the tasks and problems from the textbook.

Workbooks, Third Year Workbooks: «Chess, Third Year, or Secrets of the Royal Game: Workbook: Part 1» (2010) «Chess, Third Year, or Secrets of the Royal Game: Workbook: Part 2» (2010)

36 The workbooks contain fun tasks which will help the child to learn the basics of chess. Using the workbooks, the child will be helping the Absent-Minded Artist to correct his mistakes and solve different riddles. The workbooks include materials related to the «Chess, Third Year» Program, «Chess, Third Year, or Secrets of the Royal Game» Textbook for Students, and «Chess, Third Year, or I Learn and Teach» Teachers Book. The workbooks are meant for the third year of study in any grade of primary school.

37 7. Testbook, Third Year Testbook «Chess, Third Year, or Secrets of the Royal Game: Testbook» (2011)

38 The workbook is meant for the third year of study in any grade of primary school. Each of its 15 tests is expected to be done in minutes and is given on a separate sheet. The main purpose of the testbook is to conduct a routine check after covering each big topic of the curriculum. There are two possible variants of conducting the check, which are equally valid: 1. Before each test, the testbooks are handed out to the students. 2. The students only get the sheets with the current test, cut out of the testbook. For this purpose, each sheet has the following fields to be filled in: School Number and Grade, Students Name, etc. The testbook can be used at different stages of the learning process for frontal, group, and individual work, as well as for work in pairs.

39 8. Problem Book, Third Year Problem Book «Problems for the «Chess for School» Course. Third Year of Study» (2013)

40 The problem book for the third year of study includes materials related to the «Chess, Third Year» Program, «Chess, Third Year, or Secrets of the Royal Game» Textbook for Students, and «Chess, Third Year, or I Learn and Teach» Teachers Book. The Presentation was prepared by I.G. Sukhin in Edited on