We're excited to announce the Decatur Chess Summer Camp 2026 — a week-long half-day program for kids and teens who want to take their game to the next level this summer. Whether your child is a complete beginner or has been playing casually for a while, this camp is designed to build real skills, real confidence, and a genuine love for the game.
Summer 2026 · Decatur, AL — Register now to reserve your child's spot before it fills up. Spots are limited.
2026 Camp Dates
June 1 – June 5, 2026 · 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
What the Camp Covers
Each day of camp is built around a different area of the game, so by the end of the week students have a complete picture of how chess works — not just isolated facts, but a connected understanding they can actually apply at the board.
- Day 1 — Foundations: How the pieces move, basic tactics, and the most important opening principles every player needs to know
- Day 2 — Tactics: Forks, pins, skewers, and discovered attacks — the patterns that win material and decide games
- Day 3 — Strategy: Pawn structure, piece activity, weak squares, and how to think about a position when there's no immediate tactic
- Day 4 — Endgames: King and pawn endings, basic checkmates, and how to convert a winning position without throwing it away
- Day 5 — Tournament Day: A small internal tournament where students put everything together, followed by game analysis and awards
Camp Details
Who It's For
Kids and teens ages 6–16. Complete beginners are welcome — we'll have them moving pieces confidently by the end of day one. Players who already know the basics will find plenty of new material to dig into.
Schedule
Half days, approximately 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Full week commitment preferred, but we understand schedules — reach out if you need flexibility.
Location
607 Church St NE, Decatur, AL 35601. Comfortable indoor space, plenty of boards, and easy parking.
Pricing
$125 per child for the full week. Full balance due the first day of camp.
What to Bring
Just your child, a snack for the break, and an eagerness to learn. We provide all boards, pieces, and instructional materials. If your child has a favorite chess set they'd like to bring, they're welcome to — but it's not required.
Why This Summer
Chess is one of the few activities that gives kids something genuinely useful to take with them beyond the activity itself. The focus, the patience, the habit of thinking before acting — these aren't chess skills, they're life skills. A week of immersive, well-structured instruction is one of the fastest ways to build that foundation.
We're keeping camp sizes small intentionally. This isn't a drop-your-kid-off-and-hope-for-the-best situation — it's structured, attentive instruction with real individual feedback every day. Spots will be limited, so if you're interested, register sooner rather than later.