Bryant Chess Club

CHESS ANYONE?

Bryant Chess Club is a parent-run club open to all students (K-5th) of all skill levels to meet, play, and learn more about chess.

Chess club is organized by Bryant parents and taught by hired coaches in the community. Players are placed in groups based on general skill and grade level. Emphasis is placed on sportsmanship, learning to play a good game of chess, making new friends, and having fun. In addition to attending chess club, players are encouraged to attend scholastic chess tournaments.

2023-24 DATES / TIMES:
• This year chess club will meet on Thursdays 2:30 – 3:45 (26 classes): October 5,12,19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; December 7, 14; January 4, 11, 18, 25; February 1, 8, 15, 29; March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 18, 25; May 2
• There is a $480 fee for the 26-class session ($18.50/class). This fee pays for coaches and scholarships. The parents who organize the chess club volunteer their time.

REGISTRATION:
• Please register and provide payment through the Seattle After-School Enrichment (ASE) website: https://www.seattlease.org/classes/bryant-2023-24-fall-chess-club/. There will be flexibility for advanced players to move up. Please send requests for scholarships directly to the Bryant Chess Club at BryantElementaryChessClub@gmail.com.
• The registration deadline is 10/2

WHAT TO EXPECT:
• Coaches will lead a combination of instructional, interactive, and play-based learning experiences. Knowledge of moves recommended. Improve your problem-solving skills, train your memory, think, and plan ahead. Learn chess tactics, solve chess puzzles, play competitive and just-for-fun games! Workbooks and other teaching materials are provided, just come ready to learn!
Questions? Contact the Chess Club at BryantElementaryChessClub@gmail.com

We Need Your Help to Keep the Bryant Classic Chess Tournament Running

Lily Chan

Bryant Classic Chess Tournament is in December and we are looking for volunteers to help make this longstanding event a success.The Bryant Classic is one of the longest-running chess tournaments in the area, and we would love to continue that tradition. However, if we do not have enough volunteers willing to help organize the event, we will unfortunately need to cancel this year’s tournament.

We are seeking at least 4-5 volunteers to assist with areas such as:

  • Concessions
  • Marketing and promotion
  • Registration
  • Trophies and awards
  • Day-of-event setup

The good news is that with a small team of dedicated volunteers, the workload is very manageable. There is a great deal of historical knowledge and documentation available, and volunteers are not responsible for judging games or handling tournament operations.

If you are interested in helping or would like to learn more, please email marika@bryantschool.org.

Thank you for considering supporting this wonderful event and our chess community!

Bryant Chess Club Continues

Lily Chan

We’re excited to announce that Bryant Chess Club will continue! After many dedicated years of Christine, Daniel and coach David keeping the love of chess alive at Bryant, they are now passing the torch to a new leader: Cary “Coach Ray” Easterday of Orangutan Chess Academy.

Coach Ray brings over 40 years of chess experience, along with a Master’s Degree in Geology and more than 30 years as a lead science educator in colleges, museums, public events, and classrooms. Since 2018, he has taught chess professionally to students across dozens of Seattle-area schools. His passion for chess education and engaging teaching style are sure to inspire a new generation of Bryant players!

The Chess Club will continue to be offered through ASE and will meet on Thursdays after school. If there is strong interest, we are hopeful to expand to two days per week.

Let’s give a huge thank you to Christine, Oliver and David for their years of leadership—and a warm welcome to Coach Ray and the Orangutan Chess Academy team!

Let’s keep the Bryant chess tradition strong!