ChessKid Summer Camp Challenge

Hi ChessKid Parents!

Summer is winding down, but there are still plenty of long afternoons and “I’m bored” moments to fill. Hang in there, you're in the endgame now!

It's time to checkmate your summer with the ChessKid Summer Camp Challenge, a five-day at-home program packed with puzzles, bot battles, fast games, videos, and creative strategy projects. All activities are available on ChessKid’s web, iOS, and Android platforms, so your child can play anywhere.

The challenge offers a mix of activities that build problem solving, patience, and focus, which are skills that last long after summer ends. And the best part? No packing or travel is required! It's just chess, right from your own home.

• Day #1: Puzzle Power Up
• Day #2: Bot Battle
• Day #3: Fast Chess Frenzy
• Day #4: Lights, Camera, Checkmate!
• Day #5: Strategy Showcase
• Certificate of Participation

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🧩 Day 1: Puzzle Power Up

Welcome to ChessKid Camp! Start the week off with a puzzle warmup that gets your camper’s brain firing on all cylinders. 

🎯 Camp Challenge Instructions:

• Log into ChessKid and head to the Puzzles section.
• Solve as many puzzles as you can in 10 minutes (or set a 10–puzzle goal).
• As you go, track your streak and stop if you miss one.

🔖 Bonus Challenge:
Ask your player to name their streak like it’s a video game (ie. Checkmate Sprint; Rook Run). Design a badge with your new puzzle title.

💡 Tip:
Celebrate streak milestones with a shoutout or a small prize to keep up the motivation!

👪 Parent Tip:
Challenge your camper to a puzzle speed match. Winner gets bragging rights (and maybe the last popsicle). 

🤖 Day 2: Bot Battle

Today’s mission: defeat three ChessKid bots. The twist? Each has a different personality. From silly to serious, these bots will test your camper’s patience, strategy, and ability to adapt.

🎯 Camp Challenge Instructions:

• Log into ChessKid and head to the Bots section.
• Choose three different bots like Qwerty, Fun Judit (named after GM Judit Polgar!), Pet Bots, or Zoo Bots.
• Play one match against each bot. No hints allowed!
• Track your wins and note how each bot played.

🔖 Bonus Challenge:
After each match, write a “Bot Report.” Were they defensive? Overconfident? A little too fond of their queen? Rank the bots from easiest to toughest.

💡 Tip:
Use a notebook or whiteboard to track the bot battles.

👪 Parent Tip:
Play one bot yourself and compare notes. See if your child’s “easiest bot” was the same for you, or do you have a different nemesis?

♟ Day 3: Fast Chess Frenzy

Today it’s all about playing your best! Create a ‘mini tournament’ vibe by encouraging your player to wear a silly hat or accessory (crown, cape) and decorating a name badge.

🎯 Camp Challenge Instructions:

• Encourage your player to play 5–7 Fast Chess games against real kids from around the world.
• Matches are timed, so they learn decision making under pressure!
• Keep track of your wins, losses, and draws.

🔖 Bonus Challenge:
Win or lose, have your player pick their most interesting move in each game and explain it. Ask them to choose their favorite move of the day and draw or reenact it with chess pieces or their favorite props.

💡 Tip:
Set up a friendly competition with a friend or family member who also uses ChessKid to encourage sportsmanship and fun.

👪 Parent Tip:
Join in the fun! Wear your own “tournament gear” and play a game together.

 

🎥 Day 4: Lights, Camera, Checkmate!

Dim the lights, grab a snack, and sit back to learn. It’s storytime, but with checkmates!

• Watch 1–2 ChessKid videos on a topic your player hasn’t explored before.
• Stalemate tricks, counterattacks, or opening traps? ChessKid’s video library has it all!

🔖 Bonus Challenge:
Have your player teach you what they learned by acting it out, drawing it, or recording a video.

💡 Tip:
This is a perfect rainy day afternoon or quiet time activity.

👪 Parent Tip:
Let your camper be the “professor” and quiz you on what they just learned. Wrong answers mean you owe them a snack refill!

 

📝 Day 5: Strategy Showcase

Today, your player will choose a ChessKid lesson or article and create their own “How-To Guide” based on what they’ve learned.

• List three key tips: What are the three most important things they learned?
• Add an example of how they will use this in a game.
• Give their guide some creative touches such as a unique name. Add their own personal flair like a mascot or slogan.

🔖 Bonus Challenge:
Ask them to present their strategy like a coach or YouTube celebrity. It’s a great way to practice communication skills and confidence!

💡 Tip:
Display the How-To Guide somewhere special to show your player they built something cool and educational.

👪 Parent Tip:
Let them “coach” you through a game using their new guide. Bonus points if you call them Coach for the rest of the day.

 

🏅 You Did It, Camper! (And Parent!)

Five days of puzzles, battles, fast games, and strategy...you've officially checkmated summer! You made it through the ChessKid Summer Camp Challenge, and that deserves a big celebration.

Download your Certificate of Participation to show off to friends and family, and maybe even hang it on the fridge next to your best artwork. You’ve earned it, ChessKid!

Parents, you’ve earned bragging rights, too! You survived the endgame of summer with style (and maybe learned a chess trick or two).