Cover Jon Sieber, co-founder and CEO of Chess at Three, is a former actor whose New York chess club has taught kids as young as three to play chess
Jon Sieber, co-founder and CEO of Chess at Three, is a former actor whose New York chess club has taught kids as young as three to play chess
1 / 1
Instead of focusing on complex strategies, Chess at Three’s unique curriculum uses comedy to help tots reap the benefits of playing chess
Beth Harmon probably can’t tell you this, but there’s a reason two kings can never be placed next to each other in a game of chess: they both have smelly feet and they faint when they get a whiff of each other’s odour! That’s just according to my kids, who recently started lessons with Chess at Three, a newly opened kids’ chess club at United Square.
For the record, my kids, aged three and five, are typical toddlers who can’t sit still. Needless to say, I had my doubts when classes first began. Play chess? These critters? You must be kidding me.
The idea that three-year-olds, who can’t even spell their own name, can learn the complex rules of chess is mind-boggling to me. But Chess at Three’s popularity among New York’s switched-on parents—including actor Hugh Jackman—shows that the proof is in the pudding, with the club consistently turning out surprising results.
Don't miss: How Singaporean Kevin Goh achieved the highest rank a chess player can attain
“People have a hard time believing that a three- and a five-year-old are capable of learning chess,” Chess at Three chief executive and co-founder Jon Sieber says. “But we’ve proven throughout the years that if you deliver chess through an engaging and accessible story, children (especially at that age) are not only capable of learning it, they can also excel, understand, and receive the benefits of the game,” he says.
Chess has long been associated with numerous cognitive benefits, including increased IQ, strategic thinking, improved memory, and enhanced focus. On top of these, chess also teaches young kids how to deal with the emotions of winning and losing. “It really helps children become a complete human being,” Sieber says.
In the beginning…
The club’s unique approach to teaching chess—which is traditionally taught only to children above the age of six—was born as a result of necessity, when chess teacher Tyler Schwartz found himself struggling to get his youngest students interested in the game. Stuck in a conundrum, Schwartz approached Sieber, his high school friend, for help.
As an actor in children’s theatre, Sieber was a seasoned storyteller well-versed in communicating with toddlers. “I was really excited because I love working with kids, and the idea of delighting three-year olds was really appealing to me,” Sieber recalls.
With that goal in mind, the co-founders of Chess at Three dreamt up a captivating story that transformed the game of chess for young children forever. Set in the whimsical world of Chesslandia, quirky characters guide kids through the rules and strategies of chess through fun games and wacky backstories.
Above Chess at Three’s Singapore outpost at United Square
Chess at Three’s Singapore outpost at United Square
1 / 1
Sieber and his partners then enhanced and improved upon the pedagogy by making changes based on “tens of thousands of hours” of lessons taught. “We discovered the optimal lesson plan for children, which includes things like the storytelling element,” Sieber says.
Lessons also incorporate physical movements adorably called “chessercises”, where children role play as chess pieces, to reinforce what was taught, as well as question-and-answer time for kids to become more comfortable with their tutors. “All of this was designed to help extend the concentration of the child,” he explains.
Above Chess pieces are brought to life at Chess at Three, with each piece given an identity in the fictional world of Chesslandia
Above Chess at Three also works with schools to teach chess to students outside of its premises
Chess pieces are brought to life at Chess at Three, with each piece given an identity in the fictional world of Chesslandia
1 / 2
Helping toddlers think critically
In the last 12 years, Chess at Three has grown from a small chess club in New York City, to an internationally recognised chess learning institute with students in New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and now Singapore. Aside from its own centres, the curriculum is also being taught in various schools in each of these cities.
When it comes to picking the right teachers, instead of focusing purely on academic excellence, Sieber looks for those “who can tell an engaging story”, such as actors, actresses, creators, and artists.
Chess at Three has also developed two other programmes, including a playgroup that introduces storytelling to babies, and an original role-playing game called Birchguard Quest for kids aged five and above.
Above Chess at Three uses storytelling to draw kids into the world of chess
Chess at Three uses storytelling to draw kids into the world of chess
1 / 1
Compared to chess, which focuses on making the right moves, Birchguard Quest emphasises creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. “They are two very separate games, but at the centre, they both share an outcome which will help develop critical thinking,” Sieber explains.
Citing Singapore’s “very cosmopolitan” society, Sieber believes Chess at Three’s programmes will appeal to parents who “desire good educational outcomes for their children”, and who want to give their children earlier access to improved critical thinking and focus.
While it’s still too early to say how good my kids will eventually be at chess, I must admit that they now know more about chess than I do in my late 30s. And it has definitely been satisfying seeing them explain how each of the chess pieces move.
Above Classes also involve fun mini-games and 'chessercises' to help reinforce what was taught
Classes also involve fun mini-games and 'chessercises' to help reinforce what was taught
1 / 1
With creativity and storytelling at the centre of its modus operandi, the club has shown it is possible to teach complex, mathematically-driven ideas to young children. “We believe children are capable of understanding things that society traditionally says they can’t or are too young for,” Sieber says.
“The way to engage a child is to speak the language they understand, and that is [in essence], a fun and engaging story. This makes what you’re teaching them not only accessible, but also incredibly sticky.”
Topics
