Chess Registration is now open on TeamSideline, and be found here:
CYC Southeast Region
Here is summary of the program, for those not familiar:
Chess builds foundational STEM skills. Chess instruction has been shown to measurably improves academic performance in children, particularly among grade school children. Link to Studies on Educational Value of Chess
SCL has 2 chess programs for the 2026-27 season.
SCL Instructional Chess Club
The SCL Instructional Chess program is for children who need basic instruction on how each piece moves, including long and short castling, rules, and the most basic chess principles. John Muller, Sr. will teach the Chess Club with the help of Volunteer Assistants. The goal is to have 1 Volunteer Assistant for every 4 children. Volunteer Assistants can learn chess along with the children so initial knowledge of chess is not required. Acquiring knowledge of chess will aid teaching and enjoying chess with your children outside of scheduled practices. Most important is the ability to build a constructive and fun environment for learning a STEM-like activity, keeping “Protect and Prevent” practices in mind. Background educating K-2 nd children and some knowledge of chess would be ideal. There will be 10 regular-season practices on Tuesdays from 4 to 4:45 in the SCL Art Room starting 11/3/26 and ending 2/2/27, excepting 11/24, 12/15 12/22 and 12/29. Participating in CYC chess meets and finals is an option. The registration fee is $75.
SCL Chess Team
The SCL Chess Team is for those children who have an understanding of chess fundamentals and will be ready to participate in the 4 CYC chess meets and finals. Up to 20 SCL Chess Team players will receive instruction from the world-renowned St. Louis Chess Club. The most advanced players will receive instruction from Nicholas Risko, who previously taught for the St. Louis Chess Club and has been teaching chess since. I will be actively involved in chess
instruction.
The Chess Team will have 10 regular-season practices on Wednesdays from 3:20 to 4:50 in the Church Meeting Room starting 11/4/26 and ending 2/3/27 excepting 11/25, 12/16, 12/23 and 12/30. The Chess Team will participate in the 4 CYC chess meets finals listed below. There will be 2 additional practices in February for players who make the CYC finals on 2/20/27. The registration fee for the Chess Team is $185. We are looking for a volunteer to champion interest in chess. This volunteer would understand the value of chess in education. Communication skills are more important than chess skills. This volunteer would help to build a constructive and fun environment during practices. Some knowledge of chess helpful.
CYC Meets and Finals
The registration fee for each of the 4 CYC meets is $12. There is no fee for the finals. The meets are 12/12/26 at St. Joseph-Cottleville, 1/9/27 St. Joseph Imperial, 1/16/27 at St. Ann Normandy, and 2/6/27 at Priory High School. The finals are on 3/20/27 at St. Joseph Imperial.
If you have questions, please email questions to John Muller, Sr. at sclchessteam@gmail.com