The goal is for students to learn and enjoy the game of chess while building their self-esteem and decision-making abilities. Chess is well recognized as a tool for developing critical thinking skills. Students learn the origin and purpose of the game, rules, names and movement of chess pieces, and game fundamentals.

Students in grades one through five participate in a chess class once a week (the entire school year) for a 30-minute chess lesson. A hands-on learning approach is used. Therefore, each student works with a chess set. The lessons are sometimes presented in the form of a game, so students learn while they play.