Time Required:
10 minutes
Tools Required:
- 3-4 giant pieces per student
- Bucket or container
- Bean bags
Chess Objective(s):
Students will be able to:
- Identify chess pieces by name
General Objective(s):
- Exercise
- Demonstrate good sportsmanship
- Improve focus
Description:
Line up the students. Place a bucket across the play area from where the children are.
Place several giant pieces with each student. Evenly divide bean bags between the children. Explain the game — When the coach calls out a piece (like “white king” or “black pawn”), whoever has that piece runs and drops a bean bag in the bucket, then runs back to their pieces. When someone runs out of bean bags, they yell, “Checkmate!” (Explain that in a real game of chess, checkmate ends the game.) Everyone cheers, then we start over and do it again!
Description for Parents
Each child was assigned several of the giant chess pieces and bean bags. The coach called out a piece name, color, or movement, such as “white knight” or “piece that moves in a straight line.” When a child had that piece, he or she would run and turn in a bean bag. The first child to turn in all of his or her bean bags won and shouted, “Checkmate!” Everyone cheered, and then we started over again.