Square of the Pawn for Beginners (20 minutes) and for Intermediate Players (35 minutes)

Chess Etiquette and the Square of the Pawn from Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators.

Because there was more time for their class, Intermediate players got to try both the roles (problem creator and problem solver). Both beginner and intermediate students rotated to others, to try out their problems.

K and Pawn on seventh rank versus Q for Advanced Players (35 minutes)

As of 1/30/13, about half the students could checkmate with a K and Q vs. K and the other half could not. The exercise of a black K on the first rank directly in front of a black P on the second rank (vary the file placement of the K and P duo each time you try the drill) versus a white K on g5 and white Q on g8 provided new material for all students but also includes (inherent in the exercise) a review of checkmating and stalemating positions with K and Q vs. K. The activity is in Science, Math, Checkmate: 32 Chess Activities for Inquiry and Problem Solving and is called “Stalemate Surprise.”