Kids’ Chess Workshop in Westchester with Grandmaster Mark Paragua
November 14 & 21, 2026 | Hartsdale, New York | Single-Session Drop-in Registration
Westchester Child Development Center (WCDC) is welcoming Grandmaster Mark Paragua for two special chess workshops on Saturday, November 14, and Saturday, November 21, 2026. With single-session drop-in registration available, families can choose a date that works for their schedule.
These interactive workshops combine Grandmaster instruction, practical games, game analysis, tactical challenges, and the opportunity to play against GM Paragua in a simultaneous exhibition.
For children who enjoy chess and want to understand more about the thinking behind each move, this is an opportunity to ask questions, explore challenging positions, and learn directly from an accomplished international player.
WCDC Chess Workshop at a Glance
Event detail | Information |
Featured instructor | Grandmaster Mark Paragua |
Workshop dates | Saturday, November 14, 2026, and Saturday, November 21, 2026 |
Host | Westchester Child Development Center (WCDC) |
Location | 210 N Central Avenue, Suite 150, Hartsdale, NY 10530 |
Registration option | Single-session drop-in registration |
Workshop activities | Instruction, interactive games, game analysis, tactical drills, simultaneous exhibition, and Q&A |
How to register | Book through WCDC’s Sawyer registration page |
WCDC’s Hartsdale location serves as a local destination for families from Scarsdale, White Plains, and surrounding Westchester communities. The center’s address and contact information are available on the WCDC website.
Meet Grandmaster Mark Paragua
Mark Paragua is a Filipino chess Grandmaster whose title is confirmed in his official FIDE player profile. His international achievements include winning the 1998 World Under-14 Rapid Championship and representing the Philippines at multiple Chess Olympiads.
During the WCDC workshops, students will have the opportunity to explore chess ideas with GM Paragua through instruction, practical play, analysis, and questions.
For a developing player, a useful question often begins with “why”: Why was that move stronger? Why did an attack stop working? Why did a promising position become difficult? These workshops create opportunities to examine those decisions with a Grandmaster.
What Will Children Do During the Chess Workshop?
The workshop program features five core activities, connecting chess concepts with opportunities to apply them on the board.
Learn Opening Ideas, Middlegame Tactics, and Endgame Techniques
GM Paragua will lead instruction covering opening theory, middlegame tactical ideas, and important endgame techniques.
Students will explore how decisions in one stage of a game affect what happens next. An opening move influences piece activity; a middlegame decision can create an attacking opportunity; an endgame choice can determine whether an advantage becomes a win.
The focus is on understanding the purpose behind a move and developing a clearer approach to the position in front of them.
Play Interactive Games and Review Key Decisions
Students will take part in practical games and receive feedback from GM Paragua during game analysis.
Reviewing a game gives children an opportunity to revisit their thinking: What did they notice? What did they overlook? Which alternative deserved more attention?
Individual feedback during the analysis can help students identify recurring mistakes, recognize useful ideas, and choose specific areas to practice after the workshop.
Work Through Tactical Drills and Chess Puzzles
Tactical exercises and endgame challenges will give students opportunities to practice calculation and board awareness.
These activities encourage players to look closely at the position, consider their opponent’s possible responses, and check whether an idea works before committing to it.
Children can practice explaining their reasoning as they work through a challenge—an important part of understanding how they reached an answer and where their calculation might need another look.
Play Against a Grandmaster in a Simultaneous Exhibition
One of the workshop highlights is a simultaneous exhibition, commonly called a simul.
In a simul, one strong player competes against several opponents on separate chessboards at the same time. Students will have the opportunity to face GM Mark Paragua in this format.
For young chess enthusiasts, sitting across the board from a Grandmaster can be a memorable experience. It is also a chance to put familiar ideas into practice, respond to unfamiliar challenges, and discover questions to explore afterward.
Ask Questions About Practice and Improvement
The workshop also includes opportunities for questions and guidance on developing as a chess player.
Children can bring questions such as:
How should I review a game after I lose?
What should I practice if I keep missing tactical opportunities?
How can I decide what to do when there is no obvious move?
How should I balance puzzles, games, and endgame practice?
This discussion gives students a way to connect the workshop experience with the chess they play at home, in a club, or at tournaments.
Who Might Enjoy This Westchester Chess Workshop?
The workshops may appeal to children who enjoy playing chess and want to explore their decisions more deeply. They may be especially interesting to students who have questions about their games, enjoy tactical challenges, or are curious about playing against a Grandmaster.
For parents looking for a kids’ chess workshop in Westchester, the drop-in option offers flexibility: families can book an individual session without committing to both workshop dates.
If you are unsure whether the workshop matches your child’s experience, contact WCDC before registering. Sharing your child’s playing background, any current rating, and what they would like to improve can help the team advise you.
Help Your Child Arrive with a Question
A simple way to prepare is to ask your child to choose one chess question they would like to explore.
Perhaps they often lose track of an opponent’s threats. Perhaps they reach an endgame and feel unsure what to do. Or perhaps they want to understand how a Grandmaster chooses between two promising moves.
After the workshop, ask your child to share one position they remember and one idea they want to practice. This gives them a concrete starting point for their next game or practice session.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the GM Mark Paragua workshops at WCDC?
The workshops take place on Saturday, November 14, 2026, and Saturday, November 21, 2026.
Can my child attend just one workshop?
Yes. Single-session drop-in registration is available. Families can select an individual workshop date through WCDC’s registration page.
What does “drop-in” mean for this event?
Drop-in registration means you can book a single workshop session. Use the online registration link to select your preferred date and complete the booking.
Will students have an opportunity to play against GM Mark Paragua?
Yes. The advertised workshop program includes a simultaneous exhibition, in which GM Paragua plays several participants on separate boards at the same time.
What chess topics will the workshops cover?
The program includes opening ideas, middlegame tactics, endgame techniques, interactive games, game analysis, tactical drills, a simultaneous exhibition, and Q&A.
What age or chess level is appropriate?
Please contact WCDC for guidance on the recommended age and playing experience. Let the team know whether your child plays casually, attends a chess club, or participates in tournaments.
What are the session times and registration fees?
Review the workshop listing when booking, or contact WCDC to confirm the session time, drop-in fee, and availability for your preferred date.
How do I register?
Visit the WCDC Sawyer registration page, find the GM Mark Paragua workshop, and select your preferred November date.
Join GM Mark Paragua at WCDC This November
Give your child an opportunity to learn directly from a Grandmaster, test their ideas on the board, and bring their chess questions into a live, interactive setting.
Join WCDC on November 14 or November 21, 2026, for a chess workshop featuring instruction, practical play, analysis, and the experience of facing GM Mark Paragua in a simul.
Questions about registration or workshop suitability?Contact Westchester Child Development Center at 914-829-2694 or admin@nywcdc.com.
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