Chess is important because it helps develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and patience. By planning moves and anticipating an opponent’s strategy, players learn to think ahead and make careful decisions. Chess also improves concentration and memory, as players must remember patterns and rules while staying focused for long periods. Beyond mental skills, chess teaches valuable life lessons such as sportsmanship, perseverance, and learning from mistakes, making it beneficial for people of all ages. I am a 1900 rated player on chess.com rapid, so this class is mostly focused on beginning players at or below 1200 Elo. The main focus will be on learning important principals for openings and endgames. I also have a strong repertoire of dubious gambits for those who gravitate towards