Train with a Grandmaster: New Saturday Chess Classes in Westchester

Westchester families looking for structured, level-appropriate chess instruction now have a new Saturday option in Hartsdale.

Westchester Child Development Center (WCDC) is partnering with Empire Chess to offer a rating-based chess program for students with ratings of 500 and above. Classes are divided into three levels—500–1000, 1000–1500, and 1500+—so students can learn alongside players with similar experience and competitive ability.

Classes will be taught through the Empire Chess coaching team, with Grandmaster Mark Paragua serving as the program’s GM-level instructor.

Quick Answer: What Are WCDC’s New Saturday Chess Classes?

WCDC’s Saturday chess program is a small-group training program for rated chess players in Westchester County, New York.

Here are the essential details:

• Location: WCDC, 210 N Central Avenue, Suite 150, Hartsdale, NY 10530

• Schedule: Saturdays

• Class length: 90 minutes

• Levels: 500–1000, 1000–1500, and 1500+

• Module length: 10 sessions

• Tuition: $50 per session; $500 per module

• Class size: Minimum 6 students; maximum 10 students

• Instruction: Empire Chess coaching team, featuring GM Mark Paragua

  
  

The program is intended for students who already understand the rules of chess and are ready to improve through structured instruction, analysis, practice, and guided competition.

Meet Grandmaster Mark Paragua

Grandmaster Mark Paragua brings elite international chess experience to the WCDC and Empire Chess program.

His accomplishments include:

• Earning the Grandmaster title at age 20

• Achieving a peak FIDE rating of 2617

• Winning the 1998 World Under-14 Rapid Championship

• Representing the Philippines in four Chess Olympiads

• Competing in World Championship and World Cup events

• Building extensive experience in international tournament play

A Grandmaster is the highest title awarded by the International Chess Federation, commonly known as FIDE. Training connected to a Grandmaster-led program gives developing players an opportunity to learn the thought processes, habits, and competitive standards used at the highest levels of chess.

Families can learn more through the Empire Chess coaching-team page and Mark Paragua’s ChessBase player profile.

Saturday Chess Class Schedule

Advanced Chess: Rating 1500+

Saturdays, 9:00–10:30 AM

This advanced group is designed for experienced players with a current rating of 1500 or above.

Instruction may include:

• Advanced tactical calculation

• Positional evaluation

• Candidate-move selection

• Strategic planning

• Complex middlegame structures

• Advanced endgame technique

• Opening preparation

• Tournament-game analysis

• Time management and competitive decision-making

Students will be challenged to explain their reasoning, compare possible moves, calculate variations, and evaluate critical positions.

Chess Foundations and Development: Rating 500–1000

Saturdays, 10:45 AM–12:15 PM

This class is designed for students who understand legal piece movement, check, and checkmate and have a current rating between 500 and 1000.

Instruction may include:

• Piece safety and board awareness

• Checks, captures, and threats

• Common tactical patterns

• Checkmate patterns

• Opening development

• King safety

• Piece coordination

• Basic middlegame planning

• Essential pawn and piece endgames

• Introductory game review

Students will work on reducing avoidable mistakes, recognizing tactical opportunities, and making moves with a clear purpose.

Intermediate Chess: Rating 1000–1500

Saturdays, 1:00–2:30 PM

This class is designed for developing tournament players with a current rating between 1000 and 1500.

Instruction may include:

• Tactical combinations

• Calculation and visualization

• Positional evaluation

• Strategic planning

• Opening principles and common structures

• Middlegame plans

• Essential rook and pawn endgames

• Game analysis

• Tournament habits and time management

Students will begin moving beyond isolated tactics and learn how to create plans, evaluate positions, and connect the opening, middlegame, and endgame.

Why Does WCDC Use Rating-Based Chess Groups?

Chess students do not progress at the same pace simply because they are the same age.

Two children in the same grade may have very different levels of tournament experience, tactical understanding, calculation ability, and positional knowledge. Rating-based placement creates a more productive learning environment by grouping students according to demonstrated chess experience rather than age alone.

This approach allows instructors to choose positions, exercises, and discussions that are appropriately challenging for each group.

Parents should provide the student’s current rating, rating platform or tournament organization, and relevant chess or tournament experience when registering.

Families who are unsure which class is appropriate may contact WCDC for placement assistance.

What Is the Class Experience Like?

Each 90-minute class is designed to combine instruction with active participation.

Depending on the group’s level and learning goals, students may participate in:

• Instructor-led lessons

• Tactical and strategic exercises

• Guided position analysis

• Model-game study

• Student-game review

• Practical play

• Group discussion

• Tournament preparation

Students will be encouraged to slow down, identify threats, consider candidate moves, calculate variations, and explain the reasoning behind their decisions.

The goal is not merely to memorize openings or solve isolated puzzles. Students will work toward developing a more reliable thinking process that can be used throughout an entire game.

Why Are Classes Limited to 10 Students?

Chess instruction is most effective when students can participate, ask questions, explain their decisions, and receive feedback.

For that reason, each WCDC chess class requires at least 6 students to open and is limited to a maximum of 10 students.

This small-group format provides the energy and variety of learning with peers while allowing the coaching team to observe how individual students approach positions and solve problems.

Enrollment is limited, and a class will be confirmed once the six-student minimum is reached.

How Much Does the Saturday Chess Program Cost?

Each 90-minute session costs $50.

The program is organized as a 10-session module:

• Price per session: $50

• Sessions per module: 10

• Total module tuition: $500

Organizing the course as a module allows lessons to build on one another. Students can develop skills over time instead of treating each class as an unrelated, one-time activity.

Who Should Join?

The WCDC and Empire Chess Saturday program may be a good fit for students who:

• Already know how to play chess

• Have a current rating of 500 or above

• Want more structured instruction

• Participate in chess clubs or tournaments

• Want to improve tactical and strategic decision-making

• Need help analyzing mistakes from completed games

• Are ready to practice disciplined competitive habits

• Enjoy learning in a focused small-group environment

This program is not described as a first-time introduction to chess. Students should already understand the basic rules before joining the 500–1000 group.

What Should Parents Provide When Registering?

To help determine the correct class, parents should provide:

• Student’s name

• Age and grade

• Current chess rating

• Rating platform or tournament organization

• Chess-learning experience

• Tournament experience, if applicable

• Preferred class

• Parent or guardian contact information

If a student has different ratings on different platforms, parents may share all relevant ratings and explain where the student plays most frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can my child take Saturday chess classes in Westchester, NY?

WCDC offers Saturday chess classes at 210 N Central Avenue, Suite 150, Hartsdale, NY 10530. The program is presented in partnership with Empire Chess.

What rating does my child need?

The current program is designed for students rated 500 and above. Classes are divided into three groups: 500–1000, 1000–1500, and 1500+.

Are the classes organized by age or chess rating?

Placement is based primarily on the student’s chess rating and experience, rather than age alone.

How long is each class?

Each Saturday class is 90 minutes.

How many classes are included?

One module includes 10 sessions.

How much does the chess program cost?

Tuition is $50 per session. A complete 10-session module costs $500.

How many students are in each class?

Each class requires at least 6 students to open and is limited to a maximum of 10 students.

Who teaches the program?

The program is taught through the Empire Chess coaching team, with Grandmaster Mark Paragua serving as its GM-level instructor.

Is this class suitable for a complete beginner?

The current groups begin at the 500–1000 rating level. Students should already understand piece movement, legal moves, check, and checkmate. Parents of unrated students should contact WCDC before registering to discuss placement.

What if my child’s rating is close to the boundary between two groups?

Parents should submit the student’s rating source, tournament experience, and recent playing history. WCDC and the coaching team can then help determine the most appropriate placement.

Register for Saturday Chess at WCDC

Enrollment is now forming for all three rating groups.

Because each class is limited to 10 students and requires 6 students to open, families interested in joining are encouraged to contact WCDC and submit the student’s rating information.