Whether it’s creativity, competitiveness, a sense of belonging to something bigger than you, or just plain fun, chess means something different for different kids. No matter the motivation, learning and playing chess has been shown to improve memory and problem solving, develop patience, the ability to concentrate - and it’s really fun! In these camps young chess players will learn the strategy, tactics, and various techniques. They will also learn to notate their games, use a chess clock, and become familiar with basic principles and patterns of play. Each camp includes group instruction, solving chess puzzles, review of historical games, group play, and a group review of the games for support and feedback. This camp focuses on fundamental techniques and formulating plans, as well as a game variant, 'Escalation Chess', that offers an enhanced version of chess, creating a special kind of universe in which students can use classical chess ideas, themes and principles, with an altered set of foundational rules. Students should have a working understanding of the game's general rules, names, abilities and trading value for pieces, and knowledge of basic chess terms such as: check, checkmate, stalemate, rank, file, diagonal, opening, middle game and end game.