Renaissance Knights
A nonprofit organization working with children to create the desire to succeed both in school and in life
Our Programs
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Renaissance Knights A nonprofit organization working with children to create the desire to succeed both in school and in life |
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Our Programs |
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"INSPIRING AND EDUCATING CHILDREN FOR LIFE" |
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| Please contact Sheila Heiser at 773-844-0700 / s.heiser@renaissanceknights.org for more information our programs | |||
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Upcoming tournaments and events are listed on our home page |
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CHESS IN SCHOOL In the 2006-2007 school year Renaissance Knights taught, inspired, and empowered more than 795 students at 26 schools in Chicago and the Suburbs through our Chess in School program. Through our structured programs we unleash students positive potential by utilizing chess as a tool to improve their academic abilities, intellectual performance, and social skills. Numerous studies have shown children who learn chess develops critical thinking skills, builds self-esteem and discipline, discourages impulsive action, teaches good sportsmanship, fosters leadership, and empowers children to succeed while having a great time in the process. |
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Renaissance Knights sponsors community chess events in order the benefits of chess to local libraries, community centers, and other locations by utilizing chess as a cultural activity that offers intangible results such as the opportunity to engage in activities that help young people realize they have something to contribute to the group; the opportunity to interact with diverse peers and adults and foster community pride.
Community events are held through out the year and includes our appearance at mayor Daley's Holiday Sports Festival held annually in December.
During 2007 we sponsored events in Chicago as part of Looptopia, The Taste of Chicago, and it's summer program ' The Art of Play', live chess matches in Oak Park as part of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Book Release Festival, and a Beat The Cop Chess Challenge as part of National Night Out celebrations.
Please contact us to find out how we can organize a community program for your organization or group
Renaissance
Knights organizes and directs chess tournaments throughout
the year and
range from
novice tournaments to the highly competitive Knights Quest
series. Many of our weekend tournaments are open to
all Chicagoland children, not just those participating in
our school-based programs. Renaissance Knights tournaments provide students the opportunity to demonstrate the skills they have learned while building their confidence. Tournaments motivate and encourage players to expect nothing less than mastery of the subject from themselves. In doing so, players develop their focus and concentration, deal with winning and losing in a safe environment, and experience the dynamics of teamwork. Thanks to generous sponsors, some of our tournaments are offered free of charge to competitors.
CHICAGOLAND SCHOLASTIC CHESS LEAGUE
Renaissance
Knights
is starting the Chicagoland Scholastic Chess League this
school year. The league will organize chess
tournaments for both Chicago Schools and suburban schools
once or twice a month beginning in October 2007. Through our
program we will offer more opportunity for Chicago children
to attend chess tournaments and promote competition between
city and suburban schools. Tournaments will be open to K-12
grade students and will be individual/team competition.
This means players are paired as in an individual Swiss
tournament, but the Top 4 players from each team are scored
for team awards. Teams are comprised of students attending
the same school. These tournaments will have a lot of
individual prizes as well as team prizes. Also, these
tournaments will be rated using the Chess Express Rating
explained below. TOURNAMENT RATING SYSTEM Starting in the school year 2007/08 Renaissance Knights will be using two rating systems, US Chess Federation and Chess Express Rating (CXR). The introduction is part of our effort to organize more chess tournaments for Chicago school students. For the 2007/08 school year Renaissance Knights is providing free CXR membership to all competitors at our CXR rated tournaments. CXR membership normally cost $5 for children and $12 for adults.
The benefit of using the CXR rating system is that CXR will rate tournaments with both CXR members and non-members (Only the CXR members will be rated) and the low cost for membership. Providing rated tournaments for Chicago students raises the level of chess in Chicago. Ratings are used to sort players into classes, and can be used to compare one player to another. Ratings allow us to more accurately pair players to ensure competitors compete on an even basis.
In order to get a rating, all you need to do is play in a "rated event".
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Chess Aid is the philanthropic endeavor of Renaissance Knights to bring the chess community and community at large together to provide assistance for local, state, national and international causes.
Chess sets 4 Schools
Read more about our Chess Sets 4 Schools Programs
Chess sets 4 Soldiers We provide chess sets and equipment to the members of the Armed Forces serving in harms way. Currently the program focuses on those serving in the Middle East.
Read more about our Chess Sets 4 Soldiers Programs
Chess Scholars
The Chess Ambassadors Program offers chess players the opportunity to traveling to other countries to study chess, participate in social and charitable activities, and to take excursions to see cultural and historical sites. The program creates a friendly atmosphere in which people from diverse communities feel comfortable interacting with each other, developed friendship and understanding, while visiting other cultures and sharing experiences through chess. Participation offers a creative approach to learning, activity, and shared experience. The program focuses on enhancing the participant's connection to the world community through meaningful activity and social involvement, and to further understanding, friendly relations, and goodwill among people of different countries.
Renaissance Knights offers day or
evening workshops from 2 to 6 hours in length. These workshops are
tailored to best meet the needs of the group. The workshops can be held
during the school day, after school, or on weekends.
Renaissance Knights operates multi-day chess camps throughout the Chicagoland area. during school breaks. The camp days are typically 6 - 8 hours long but many camps also offer a half-day option. Camps offer students the opportunity to learn in-depth with other campers at the same level while having a fun time. Activities include lessons, mini-tournaments, simultaneous exhibitions, study famous games of Grandmasters, and students are awarded completion certificates.
We are able to offer private lessons or group instructions through our staff of highly qualified professional chess teachers. While the exact lesson format depends on the level and individual needs of the student, each lesson is design to ensure the students’ fastest progress as well as their enjoyment of chess.
Chess Lessons: For Serious Students Only! Interested in seriously improving your chess? Come and learn with USCF National Master William Aramil. He has put together a special chess program divided into 5 two-hour sessions
Read more about Master Aramil's classes
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Please contact Sheila Heiser at 773-844-0700 / s.heiser@renaissanceknights.org for more information our programs |
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Links
have been found consistently between children's well-being and
environments that are emotionally positive and warm and that provide
support for developing adolescent autonomy. Some research suggests
that positive experiences in one are (for example, in the family,
among peers, at school, through community service…) may lessen the
effect of negative experiences in other areas. Adolescents who spend
time in communities that are rich in developmental opportunities for
them experience less risk and show evidence of higher rates of
positive development.
