Early Learning Chess Curriculum
Smart Moves Chess was founded in 2013 to fill a gap in early chess education. During the ages of 3-7, when children tend to be at their most active and playful, asking them to sit down at a table to learn chess can be a non-starter. However, research shows that early engagement in chess can bring many immediate and lifelong benefits. As our own children moved through this age, we saw a way to bring our love of the game to this age group through a one-of-a-kind movement- and play-based curriculum. Since 2013, thousands of hours of curriculum have been successfully delivered and many students have been given the opportunity to develop a lifelong love of chess.
Why Movement-Based Chess Works
Small children learn through gross-motor activity, tactile storytelling, and physical motion. We redesigned chess instruction from the ground up for the developmental realities of early childhood.
Movement-Based Learning
Children physically step into the game, embodying piece movements through memorable whole-body roleplay and activities.
Easy-to-Teach Lessons
No chess rating needed. Detailed lesson plans and simple scripts give any teacher the confidence to lead high-impact lessons.
Character & Emotional Composure
Patience, impulse control, cause-and-effect reasoning, and graceful sportsmanship take precedence over winning and losing.
Two Structured Programs Built for Young Thinkers
Young minds learn differently at each stage. Our curriculum is partitioned into two age-based tracks:
Preschool Chess Track
Young children cannot sit still for long abstract lectures. Our preschool curriculum translates chess into active physical games, storytelling, and 20-minute energetic learning modules.
Elementary Chess Track
Transitions growing thinkers from piece mechanics into structured tactics, algebraic notation, tournament etiquette, clock usage, and problem-solving composure.
Empower Your Teachers with a Chess Program Anyone Can Teach
No outside grandmasters required. Our annual program subscriptions give your school, preschool, or enrichment center everything needed to deliver an enriching chess program. Teach as many students as you want at the same location—we keep our prices low per student to encourage inclusivity and broad engagement across all young thinkers.
Early Learning Movement Curriculum
Standard curriculum with planned lessons delivered every two weeks (bi-weekly), complete with supporting materials for students and parents. Lessons can be taught as often as you like, and educators can return to previous lessons as much as they want.
Early Learning License
For preschools and centers with existing chess supplies seeking our proven movement curriculum.
- Bi-Weekly Planned Lessons: Standard curriculum with new modules delivered every two weeks
- Teach as Often as You Like: Revisit and repeat past lessons as much as you want
- Unlimited Students at Same Location: Teach as many students as you want at your school
- Inclusive Low Per-Student Cost: Engineered for maximum accessibility and broad engagement
- Supporting Student & Parent Materials: Word-for-word teacher scripts, activity guides, and parent newsletters
- School Marketing Kit: "Smart Moves Taught Here" door decals, flyers, and certificates
License + Giant Set
Includes the full annual curriculum license plus our flagship 16" Giant Lawn Chess set and quick-fold board.
- Complete Early Learning License: Planned bi-weekly lessons, teacher scripts, and parent updates
- 16-Inch Giant Lawn Chess Set: Heavy-duty, all-weather oversized pieces designed for kids
- 8x8 Ft Quick-Fold Lawn Board: High-visibility gross-motor grid with tie-downs and stakes
- Repurchased Only Every 3–4 Years: High-durability equipment that with care lasts 3–4 years
- Unlimited Students at Same Location: Run full-body movement relays and floor roleplay games
- Purchase Order Support: Net-30 invoicing, school vendor onboarding, and W-9 provided
Complete Tools System
The entire physical teaching system: annual license, giant lawn chess, magnetic demo board, and club sets.
- Complete Early Learning License: Planned bi-weekly lessons, teacher scripts, and parent updates
- 16-Inch Giant Lawn Chess Set & 8x8 Ft Board: Oversized floor movement piece set with tie-downs
- 28-Inch Magnetic Wall Demo Board: High-contrast demonstration set with durable carry bag
- Scholastic Club Sets (5-Pack): Regulation vinyl boards, single-weighted pieces, and carry bags
- Classroom PE Movement Props Guide: Sourcing checklist for bean bags, cones, and hula hoops
- Repurchased Only Every 3–4 Years: High-durability equipment engineered for years of daily classroom use
Elementary & Older Student Curriculum
Charged separately from Early Learning. Structured tactics, algebraic notation, tournament etiquette, clock usage, and problem-solving composure. Digital-only curriculum (these lessons do not use early-learning movement props).
Elementary & Older Student License
For elementary schools, after-school academies, and youth programs teaching structured game strategy.
- Planned Bi-Weekly Lessons: Standard progressive curriculum delivered every two weeks with supporting materials
- Teach as Often as You Like: Revisit past lessons, puzzles, and opening concepts as much as you want
- Unlimited Students at Same Location: Teach as many students as you want across your facility
- Inclusive Low Per-Student Cost: Priced to make chess accessible to every student in your school
- Tactical Puzzle Challenges: Pattern worksheets, mini-tournament guidelines, and notation mastery
- Digital-Only Delivery: Direct PDF materials (no tool bundles needed for this age group)
Deploying Smart Moves across multiple preschool campuses, a school district, or an after-school network? Contact us for consolidated volume pricing, custom academic calendar rollouts, and staff orientation workshops.
We work directly with school procurement processes. We accept credit card payments, school district purchase orders (POs), and electronic checks. Questions? Email our educational coordinator at info@smartmoveschess.com.
Looking for Required Physical Equipment & Movement Props?
Our movement-based lessons combine high-visibility physical chess hardware (16-inch Giant Lawn Chess and Magnetic Demo Boards) with standard PE agility supplies (bean bags, cones, hula hoops). See our complete equipment breakdown and ordering paths.
Download Free Sample Lesson: "Meeting the Pawns"
Preview a lesson plan: including the teacher script, classroom floor setup blueprint, student activity game, and parent takeaway sheet.