About Our Chess Program

Our chess program is run by experienced Chess Masters Lou Mercuri and Kenneth Tomas. We offer Fall and Spring sessions (15-weeks each) during the school year, as well as a 6-week Summer Session. We offer Chess I for beginners and Chess II for intermediate/advanced instruction and competition preparation.

Summer Chess 2019

SUMMER CHESS REGISTRATION IS OPEN. REGISTER BY APRIL 1 AND GET 12% DISCOUNT!

Summer Chess session is now 12 classes, running for 6 weeks Mondays and Wednesdays June 24 through July 31. Chess I runs 4:30 – 6 pm, Chess II 6:15-7:45 PM. The cost of each 12-class session is $480. Instructor: Dr. Kenneth Thomas.

Eligibility and Levels

We accept children of all ages and abilities, with the minimum requirement that the child needs to know the basic chess moves. As a rule of thumb, If your child is a novice in chess,  Chess I would likely be the best fit.  If your child has previously attended our Chess I class for one or two semesters, or has participated in a beginner chess program elsewhere,  he or she would be eligible for Chess II.

Approval of one of our Chess Masters is required for admission to Chess II.

Lou Mercuri

Mr. Lou Mercuri is actively teaching chess in the Boston area and in MetroWest. His students continue to improve and play at the highest levels for their age groups. Currently, six of his students are rated in the top 100 for their age group in the US and compete in National Scholastic Championships. As a player, he is a US Life Master and his rating has peaked at 2404 (Senior Master). He was awarded the International Title of FIDE Trainer at the Turin, Italy Olympiad in May 2006. This selective title is awarded to experienced chess coaches and trainers at the 2350 rating level. He is among the first chess trainers in the United States to be awarded this title by FIDE, the International Chess Organization. Lou’s students have won Massachusetts State Scholastic Championship and one National Elementary Championship Six students have exceeded a 2000 rating—starting out at less than 1400 Lou defeated World Champion Karpov in exhibition play in 1990 He is a writer and publisher of theoretical opening articles He maintains an unsurpassed chess library (700+ books) Lou uses his own proven interactive techniques He has served as a consultant for various computer programs, books, learning methods, and tournaments

Our Chess Masters at Mathapalooza! 2014

Winter Chess Session 

Classes started January 23.

Details: This is a 15-class session, meeting on the following Wednesdays:

January 23,30

February 6,13,27

March 6,13,20,27

April 3,10,24

May 1,8,15

 TIME:  6:15 – 7:45 PM

FEES: $660 for 15 classes.

 $100 registration fee is required for new chess-only students. (Students who paid the registration fee for the Fall session do not need to pay the registration fee again.)

TO REGISTER follow the ENROLL button above, fill out Fall 2018 application, and indicate Chess I or II in the Notes field of the application. 

Chess FAQ

Q: How old are the children in the class?

A: We accept children of all ages

Q: What are the minimum skill requirements to enter the Chess I classes?

A: For the beginner class the only requirement is that the child knows the names of the pieces and the basic moves.

Children will progress as the class goes on.

Q: My child has been playing chess for a while. How do I know which class to sign up my child for?

A:. If your child has previously attended our Chess I class for one or two semesters, or has participated in a beginner chess program elsewhere,  he or she would likely be eligible for Chess II. The final determination of the class appropriate for your child will be done by the Chess Masters.   

Q: How can children of different ages and skills learn in the same classroom?

A: In chess, younger interested kids easily bridge the age gap. Even in competitive scholastic tournaments, most formats allow kids to play each other with up to a 4-year difference in ages. Within the class, children are grouped by age, and individual, skill-appropriate attention is given to each child.