Chess Club @ TaliTech is a low-pressure, friendly space for kids (and their parents!) to learn chess from the ground up. This isn't a demanding competitive program. It's a local Bountiful chess scene where beginners can discover the game, practice with players at their level, and build strategic thinking skills.
We meet once a week for four weeks each season. Classes are small (max 6 students) so everyone gets personalized attention and plenty of board time. We teach one or two concepts each session, then spend most of the hour actually playing chess. You learn by doing, not by listening to lectures.
Whether your child has never touched a chess piece or knows the basics and wants to improve, our beginner-to-intermediate club is the perfect place to grow. Because we're bilingual, all instruction is available in both English and Spanish!
We run beginner-to-intermediate sessions year-round. The exact concepts vary by season and student readiness.
Concept: How to set up the board, how each piece moves (pawn, knight, bishop, rook, queen, king)
Drills: "Piece race" games, movement puzzles
Play: First games with simplified rules (just practice moving)
Concept: How to capture pieces, what "check" means, how to deliver checkmate
Drills: Checkmate puzzles (king + queen vs. king), spot-the-check exercises
Play: Full games focusing on trying to checkmate (not just capture everything)
Concept: Castling, en passant, pawn promotion; basic opening ideas (control center, develop pieces)
Drills: When to castle (safety puzzles), practicing good first moves
Play: Games where students focus on "good openings"
Concept: Forks, pins, skewers (simple ways to win material)
Drills: Tactic puzzles ("find the fork")
Play: Games where students hunt for tactical opportunities
Parents are welcome to watch every session for free! See what your child is learning and cheer them on. Want to play too? For $25 per season, parents can join as active members. You'll get your own board, participate in drills, and play games alongside the kids. Learning chess together is a wonderful bonding experience.
Not for spring or summer! We welcome absolute beginners. Fall sessions prefer students who know the basics, but quick learners can still join.
Perfect! Our beginner-to-intermediate format means we teach new concepts each week. Experienced students will learn tactics, strategy, and endgame skills while helping newer players.
No, we're an independent local club. However, if your child gets interested in competitive play, we'll happily point you toward resources like the Utah Chess Association.
Absolutely! Most students return for several seasons. You'll keep improving with each one, and we offer a 10% discount when you sign up for the next season before your current one ends.
¡Perfecto! Toda la instrucción está disponible en español. Avísenos su preferencia cuando se registre y nos aseguraremos de que su hijo reciba toda la enseñanza en español.
Yes! Parents can watch for free or join as playing members for $25 per season. Learning chess together is a great family bonding activity.
We'll move indoors! You'll be notified via email and our Facebook group if there's a location change.
Chess club is designed to be welcoming for all personalities and learning styles. Our small group size (max 6) means we can adapt to each child's needs. If you have specific concerns, reach out at info@talitech.org or text 801-649-7843.
We require full-season commitment, so please make sure your child is interested before registering. However, we understand things happen. Contact us and we'll work something out.
Spots are limited to 6 students per season. Register early to secure your child's place!