Chess

Magnet Chess Program (Grades 6–8)

Program Description:
The Magnet Chess Program at David A. Boody is more than just a game—it's a three-year journey into strategic thinking, discipline, creativity, and personal growth. Whether your child is a beginner or an advanced player, they will find a place to thrive in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment.

Inspired by the words of chess master Simon Williams:

“The beauty of chess is it can be whatever you want it to be. It transcends language, age, race, religion, politics, gender, and socioeconomic background.”

Our program teaches students to play the game of chess while applying its lessons—strategy, sportsmanship, focus, and problem-solving—to everyday life.

Top 10 Benefits of Chess:

Builds community and inclusivity
Teaches how to win and lose with grace
Strengthens spatial reasoning and memory
Improves concentration and focus
Enhances creativity and confidence
Sharpens problem-solving and decision-making
Encourages perseverance and planning
Boosts academic and cognitive performance
Develops emotional control and patience
Exercises the brain for lifelong learning

Academic Goals:
Students will gain deep knowledge and experience in:

The chessboard, piece values, and starting positions
The goal of a match and how to record moves (chess notation)
Opening strategies and principles (center control, development, king safety)
Tactics (pins, forks, skewers, discovered attacks, traps)
Checkmate patterns (e.g., Ladder Mate, Back-Rank Mate, Fool’s Mate, Scholar’s Mate)
Middle game planning and piece coordination
Endgame techniques (e.g., King and Queen vs. King, King and Pawn vs. King)
Tournament play, timers, and sportsmanship
Exploration of legendary chess champions and styles

Grade-Level Breakdown:

Grade 6 – Foundations and Fundamentals

Openings: The Italian Game, Ruy Lopez, Queen’s Gambit, Philidor’s Defense, Caro-Kann, Sicilian Defense
Endgames: Two Rooks Mate, King and Queen Checkmate, Two Bishops Endgame, King and Pawn Basics
Tactics: Forks, Pins, Skewers, Discovered Attacks
Variants: Racing Kings, Atomic Chess, Anti-Chess, 4-Player Chess

Grade 7 – Strategy Development and Advanced Tactics

Openings: Berlin Defense, Dutch Defense, Bogo-Indian Defense, Closed Sicilian, King’s Fianchetto
Endgames: Rook & Bishop vs. Rook, Pawn & Knight vs. King
Tactics: Zugzwang, Zwischenzug, Decoys, Removing the Defender
Variants: Forchess, Sittuyin (Burmese Chess), Peasant’s Revolt, Horde Chess, Bughouse

Grade 8 – Mastery and Competitive Play

Openings: Nimzo-Indian, Alekhine’s Defense, London System, Grunfeld, Benko Gambit, Marshall Attack
Tactics: Clearance Sacrifice, Trapped Pieces, Advanced Combinations
Variants: Legan Chess, Chaturaji (Indian 4-player chess), Extinction Chess, Sideways Pawns

Partnerships and Opportunities:

Chess.com and Lichess.org – Online platforms for practice and analysis
Chess in the Schools – Student participation in citywide tournaments
Annual STEAM Night – Student-led exhibitions and chess demonstrations

Why Choose the Magnet Chess Program?
The Magnet Chess Program at I.S. 228 is designed to cultivate not just chess skills, but the critical thinking and life skills that will benefit students long after they leave the board. Over three years, students will immerse themselves in a variety of opening strategies, advanced tactics, and endgame techniques, all while fostering skills like patience, perseverance, and problem-solving. The program promotes intellectual growth and confidence, and our partnerships with online platforms and city tournaments offer students opportunities to challenge themselves and showcase their abilities. By the time students complete the program, they will have not only mastered the game of chess but also learned to think critically, creatively, and strategically in all areas of life.

District 21 Testing

Mark Twain D21 Testing
COMPUTER - MATH/SCIENCE TEST

The test is 50 questions long, all multiple choice. Answers are recorded on a Scantron Form so please bring #2 (or HB) pencils and good quality erasers.

Specific Types of Questions on the Test:

Reading Comprehension of a Technical Nature
- Questions that assess the ability to understand and interpret technical texts or information, often related to math or science topics.
Multi-Step Problem Solving
- Questions requiring more than one step to arrive at the solution. This may involve applying various concepts or solving complex equations.
Sequences & Patterns
- Questions that involve recognizing and continuing numerical or logical sequences, such as arithmetic sequences or geometric patterns.
Puzzles
- Logical and reasoning puzzles to test problem-solving skills in fun, challenging formats.
Analysis of Charts and Graphs
- Questions that require interpreting data from charts, graphs, tables, or other data visualizations, and drawing conclusions based on the information.
Critical Thinking
- Assessing the ability to evaluate information and make well-reasoned conclusions, based on data or logical arguments.
Attention to Minute Details
- Questions that test the ability to spot subtle differences or small, important details in a set of data or a scenario.
Logical Thinking (AND, OR, IF THEN, etc.)
- Questions based on logical operators and reasoning. You may be asked to solve problems using logical statements like "AND," "OR," or "IF...THEN."
Sequential Thinking
- Questions that require the understanding of order, such as arranging steps of a process or determining the sequence in a mathematical problem.
Concept Maps / Outlines / Flowcharts
- Questions that involve organizing concepts into diagrams, outlines, or flowcharts to represent relationships between ideas or processes.
Engineering Design Process
- Questions that assess understanding of the steps involved in the engineering design process, from identifying a problem to testing and iterating solutions.
Empirical Questions (Experiment vs. Experience/Observation)
- Questions focusing on distinguishing between knowledge gained through controlled experimentation versus observations or experiences.
Simulations/System Modeling
- Questions that involve using models or simulations to understand or predict systems or processes, often involving math or science concepts.
Scientific Theory
- Questions about the fundamentals of scientific theories, including understanding the scientific method, theories, laws, and how they apply in practical scenarios.
Comfort Level with the Internet and Technology
- Questions that gauge your familiarity with using technology and the internet for research, data collection, and problem-solving in math and science contexts.

This test will assess not just basic knowledge, but also how you apply that knowledge to solve complex problems and think critically about various subjects in math and science. Be sure to read each question carefully, take your time, and ensure that your answers are well thought out.