Chess @ Anderson
A nationally recognized scholastic chess program, in partnership with the NY Scholastic Chess Club (NYSCC).
Welcome to Chess at the P.S. 334 Anderson School. We’re proud to partner with the NY Scholastic Chess Club (NYSCC). NYSCC was founded by Ivan Dirkx, who has taught chess in New York City for 15 years — the past 7 at Anderson. In that time the program has nearly tripled in size, with our students among the best chess players not only in the city but nationally.
Ivan grew up playing scholastic chess in New York City at a top level, with some of the nation’s most respected instructors — bringing a deep understanding of what students and teachers need to build a successful, prosperous program. We look forward to continued success on a city, state, and national level.
What is a “scholastic” chess program?
“Scholastic” simply means school-based chess for K–12 students. Kids learn in class-sized groups by level, then have the option to test themselves in scholastic tournaments — rated events run for students only, where players compete against others in their own grade and rating band. There’s no obligation to compete: many Anderson students play purely for the fun of it.
Why chess, and why early
Focus and patience
Sitting with a hard problem and thinking several steps ahead is a skill that transfers directly to the classroom.
Pattern recognition
Young players build visual and spatial reasoning that supports early math — one reason we start in kindergarten.
Winning and losing well
Every game ends with a handshake. Students learn to review their own mistakes without discouragement.
The commitment
Ready to play?
Registration, class schedules, and tournaments are all on the NYSCC program page.