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A student reaches for a chess piece to make a move.
Life at Dalton
Chess
Beyond the Board
Shaping Young Minds and Lifelong Skills
The Dalton Chess program, established in 1987, is a foundational element of the K-2 curriculum, seamlessly integrating chess instruction into the school day while also providing robust K-12 chess opportunities to continue honing chess skills. Led by a distinguished program director who holds titles such as Chess Woman International Master, Life Master, and National Master, the program is renowned for its comprehensive, enduring approach built on five key strategies detailed below. The program ensures a well-rounded, enriching experience that cultivates intellectual growth, strategic mastery, and a lifelong love of the game.
Approach to Teaching
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Early and Continuous Chess Integration
Formal chess instruction is embedded in the curriculum from kindergarten through 2nd grade. Structured and informal play opportunities reinforce learning, ensuring that chess becomes a natural part of students' cognitive and social development in the early years.
Beyond classroom instruction, students have opportunities to participate in after-school chess for grades K-8, early morning chess at First Program, Middle School and High School chess clubs, and summer chess camps.
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Diverse and Adaptive Instruction
A dynamic blend of verbal, visual, and hands-on teaching methods, coupled with assessments in the early grades, tailors instruction to individual learning styles and ensures that students grasp key concepts.
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Holistic Skill Development
The Dalton Chess Program cultivates more than just tactical mastery. The program builds critical thinking skills, such as categorizing information, reasoning by analogy, following logical sequences, and recognizing patterns. Equally important is building social-emotional competencies, like patience, accountability, and sportsmanship. This balanced approach empowers students to excel at chess and equips them with the skills to navigate real-world challenges with confidence and integrity.
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Community Building and Mentorship
The program fosters a strong chess community through initiatives such as:- Chess Peer Mentor Program, pairing High School and Middle School students with Kindergarteners.
- Intergenerational Chess Initiatives where students partner with organizations such as the 92Y and Checkmating Dementia Organization.
- High School Coaching Opportunities, empowering High School students to coach and mentor at chess tournaments.
- The Dalton Girls Chess Initiative champions inclusion and excellence in chess for female students.
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Competitive Excellence
The Dalton Chess team regularly competes in local, city, state, and national tournaments, sharpening strategic skills under pressure while building resiliency and adaptability. Participating in 15 local chess tournaments annually — including NYS Girls Championship, NYC Scholastic Championship, National Grade K-12 Scholastic Championship, All Girls Nationals, among others — the team has earned hundreds of national, state, and city titles. Currently, Dalton holds the titles of 6th Grade National Champion and National High School Champion.
Moves that Shaped Us
Seniors Reflect on their Chess Journeys
Hear from Dalton High School students as they reflect on the impact of Dalton chess on their lives.
Grades K-3
53 East 91st Street, New York, NY 10128
Grade 4 & PE Center
200 East 87th Street, New York, NY 10128
Grades 5-12
108 East 89th Street, New York, NY 10128
