About the Course
Classes with Coach D are focused on learning the fundamentals of how to play chess... and having fun! Her assistant, Cathy Young, teaches new beginners (and those students who need a refresher) how the pieces move and capture, how to correctly set up the board, and the very basics of game play, check, and checkmate. Once students have learned the basics, Coach D teaches openings, strategies, and tactics, as well as checkmate patterns that are more advanced. By the end of the semester (depending on individual abilities and motivation) beginners will be able to play a simple game from start to finish. The goals for intermediate players are to learn opening principles, defenses (usually for black,) en passant, how to shepherd a pawn to the opposite side, and advanced checkmating patterns (endgame.) No class on September 24.
Your Instructor
Dakota Suris and Kathy Young
Coach D. Suris has been teaching children how to play chess for over 20 years. She began with teaching after school chess programs in the Rhinebeck school district (where she still teaches) and has led programs in Tivoli, Saugerties, and most recently in Accord at Inness. For the last 2 summers, she has worked with Camp Ramapo for Children in Rhinebeck, as their day camp chess program instructor. She works together with her assistant, Cathy Young, who teaches the beginners, while Coach D works with the intermediate and advanced students. They have worked with children of all ages and abilities, including children with learning disabilities and children on the spectrum.
In addition, Coach D and Cathy run the Rockin’ Rooks Chess Team, a competitive chess club based in Rhinecliff at the Morton Memorial Library. For over 15 years, they have instructed students grades K-12 accompanied them to tournaments, including the NY State championships in Saratoga. The Rockin’ Rooks team has been the subject of a number of newspaper articles and has won numerous 1st place trophies and awards.