Quarter(s): 4

Day(s): Thu

Open Spots: 12

Two armies. One battlefield. Infinite possibilities. Across a checkered board, two mighty monarchies prepare for battle. In this legendary clash of kings and queens, which side will triumph in a test of wit, patience, perseverance, and strategy? Students will explore the logic and thrill of the timeless game of chess under the expert guidance of Grandmaster Rashad Babaev. Whether you're a budding tactician or a curious beginner, prepare to sharpen your mind and rise to the challenge. Advanced Intermediate Chess is for students with 3+ years experience playing chess and an interest in preparing for competitive play. During the fourth quarter, students will transition into a more mature phase of play focused on precision and planning. Instruction emphasizes structured middlegame plans, including pawn-structure evaluation, piece coordination, and creating and exploiting imbalances. Students study advanced tactical motifs such as complex combinations, defensive resources, and calculation depth, alongside practical endgame techniques including king activity, opposition, and converting material or positional advantages. This quarter marks a clear progression from reactive tactics to deliberate, position-driven decision-making, preparing students for stronger tournament and match play. Learning and playing chess promote problem solving, decision making, critical and creative thinking, general cognitive ability, scholastic skills, and mathematical achievement (Univ. of Minnesota). Experts suggest that the game of chess teaches analytical and disciplined thinking skills, while raising self esteem, teaching motivation and determination, and sportsmanship (Kasparov Foundation). Each class will be spent part on instruction and part on playing time in practice matches with classmates while the instructor gives tips and reminders. Compass chess students will be given access to GMChessPrep's online portal for virtual chess practice opportunities between classes. Also, students who are absent can request a make-up session during a regularly scheduled GMC online evening group class.

Quarter(s): 4

Day(s): Thu

Open Spots: 12

Two armies. One battlefield. Infinite possibilities. Across a checkered board, two mighty monarchies prepare for battle. In this legendary clash of kings and queens, which side will triumph in a test of wit, patience, perseverance, and strategy? Students will explore the logic and thrill of the timeless game of chess under the expert guidance of Grandmaster Rashad Babaev. Whether you're a budding tactician or a curious beginner, prepare to sharpen your mind and rise to the challenge. In Beginning Chess, students will use the Foundation Level curriculum developed by Grandmaster Babaev for his GMChessPrep program. During Quarter 4, the goal is to learn to assess material value and build confidence in play. Students will evaluate piece value and trade logic and trade scenarios and decisions. They will learn how to judge advantage positions such as King vs King (Draw); King vs King + Knight/Bishop (Draw); King vs King + Rook/Queen (Win); and King vs King + Pawn (potential promotion). The class will practice games and participate in end-of-quarter mini tournament. Learning and playing chess promote problem solving, decision making, critical and creative thinking, general cognitive ability, scholastic skills, and mathematical achievement (Univ. of Minnesota). Experts suggest that the game of chess teaches analytical and disciplined thinking skills, while raising self esteem, teaching motivation and determination, and sportsmanship (Kasparov Foundation). Each class will be spent part on instruction and part on playing time in practice matches with classmates while the instructor gives tips and reminders. Compass chess students will be given access to GMChessPrep's online portal for virtual chess practice opportunities between classes. Also, students who are absent can request a make-up session during a regularly scheduled GMC online evening group class.

Quarter(s): 4

Day(s): Thu

Open Spots: 12

Two armies. One battlefield. Infinite possibilities. Across a checkered board, two mighty monarchies prepare for battle. In this legendary clash of kings and queens, which side will triumph in a test of wit, patience, perseverance, and strategy? Students will explore the logic and thrill of the timeless game of chess under the expert guidance of Grandmaster Rashad Babaev. Whether you're a budding tactician or a curious beginner, prepare to sharpen your mind and rise to the challenge. In Advanced Beginning Chess, students will use the Explorers Level curriculum developed by Grandmaster Babaev for his GMChessPrep program. During Quarter 4, the focus will be on discipline, draw rules, and thinking skills. The class will review possible outcomes of the game including different draw types (Stalemate, Threefold Repetition, Perpetual Check) and understanding when and why games end in a draw. Students will review etiquette of the game including posture, behavior, the touch-move rule, and handling disputes. Finally, the group review the requirements for promotion to intermediate level. Learning and playing chess promote problem solving, decision making, critical and creative thinking, general cognitive ability, scholastic skills, and mathematical achievement (Univ. of Minnesota). Experts suggest that the game of chess teaches analytical and disciplined thinking skills, while raising self esteem, teaching motivation and determination, and sportsmanship (Kasparov Foundation). Each class will be spent part on instruction and part on playing time in practice matches with classmates while the instructor gives tips and reminders. Compass chess students will be given access to GMChessPrep's online portal for virtual chess practice opportunities between classes. Also, students who are absent can request a make-up session during a regularly scheduled GMC online evening group class.

Quarter(s): 4

Day(s): Thu

Open Spots: 10

Successful social skills can help kids navigate almost every aspect of their lives. Building confidence in social settings can help improve self esteem and comfort in group settings, sports, new endeavors, with family, in public, or just hanging out with friends. Every child can benefit from improved social skills, but some need a little more practice. In this class, kids will work with a certified, licensed therapist to develop strategies for navigating different social challenges- from conversation skills and identifying feelings and emotions, to seeing perspective, handling stress, talking to parents, making friends, tolerating siblings, and more. The small group class will be highly interactive with games, role playing, videos, modelling behavior, and projects using a evidence-based, social-emotional curriculum Kids will benefit most from taking Social Skills for several quarters. Some activities will be new each quarter, and some will be repeated for reinforcement. As new students join the group, the dynamic will shift, better imitating real life scenarios. Kids' confidence and comfort level will grow when they have multiple quarters to practice their social skills.