Lesson 11 - Check!

Objective:

1) The student will understand the meaning of "check".

2) The student will understand how to get out of "check".

Method:

1) The teacher demonstrates a position where the king is in "check" or under attack.

2) Students are encouraged to model the "check" position.

3) Students are instructed on how to move out of "check".

4) Students practise "checking" an opponent and moving out of check in turn.

Content:

When a king is under attack from an opponent's piece it is in "check". A player must then find a way out of "check", so that his/her king is not under attack.

Three ways this can be done:

1) Capture the piece that is attacking the king, either by the king or by another piece. This is usually the best option, since it eliminates the direct threat.

2) Block the attack - by placing one's own piece in between the king and the attacking piece.

3) Move out of "check" - move the king one square in any direction, that is not under attack.

Follow-up:

Practise playing against an opponent or against a chess computer on the ChessMateOntario.com website.