Chess by the National Scholastic Chess Foundation
Chess by the National Scholastic Chess Foundation
Grades K - 8
Course Description+
This class is for beginners or experienced players. Each week, students will be divided into small groups based on age and ability for structured lessons on chess strategy and supervised play. Students will learn how to analyze a chess game and learn from their own mistakes. Students will develop long-term strategies and visualization skills and begin to make connections between the skills learned through chess and other subject areas. Students will have the chance to compete within the classroom as well as be invited to participate in online tournaments outside of class time, giving players the opportunity to “test” their knowledge. Classes are led by National Scholastic Chess Foundation-certified instructors.
Session dates:
Session 3A: 7/21/25 - 8/08/25 (8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.) (EST)
Meet Robert McKenzie+
Robert McKenzie began his career as a 2nd-grade teacher at Castle Hill Elementary in Lauderhill. After earning his Masters in Math Education, he became the Math Specialist and started a school-wide chess program. Today, Robert is the STEM and math specialist at Lauderdale Lakes Junior High where he teaches chess to all his students. Robert teaches in National Scholastic Chess Foundation (NSCF) community programs across Broward County. He leads NSCF workshops for area teachers and is also the NSCF tournament director for South Florida.
Meet Nicholas Rosenthal+
Nicholas Rosenthal is a National Master who has been playing chess since the age of nine and has been teaching chess for the past seven years. Nicholas has won a number of state and national championships. He shares his valuable tournament insights to help his students improve. Nicholas attended Lindenwood University on a chess scholarship and served as the chess team captain during his final two years. After earning his degree in sports management, Nicholas returned to South Florida and joined the NSCF/Sunrise team in 2020.
Additional Course Information+
A class may be canceled if fewer than 6 students enroll, and a specific teacher is not guaranteed. It is the parents’ responsibility to check with their child's school when seeking credit for a course. For online courses, the students’ cameras MUST be turned on at all times, and attendance is mandatory. To protect the privacy rights of all, there is absolutely no videotaping or recording by students during the course. Students must be age appropriate for the course, and all students must adhere to proper online etiquette. For online courses, young children must be supervised by a parent at all times.