Richard Weekes

I'm passionate about teaching children how to play. I've also been saying for many years that parents should encourage their daughters to give chess a try.

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

Chess has been popular for years & more girls should be encouraged to join in, as #girlscanplaychesstoo. Just learning the basics & how to play is a great start. Places are available & there's no need to book up.

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

Hey there. I've been teaching chess for over 18 years in schools and chess clubs. If I taught you chess, do you still play and how did this help you in life?

I'd really like to know.

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

The higher level skills children use to problem solve is enhanced when choosing the next move in chess.

And having breakfast is such an important meal and really does help children get ready to learn for the day.

https://t.co/1eGLheFY4K.

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

Chess in breakfast clubs & afterschool clubs are always popular and this is great for the kids. I teach 'em the three L's:

*Look
*Listen
*Learn

Done in this order each 'L' works every time....if they do it!

Off I go then to meet 16 hungry children at 8am.

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

I played 5 newbies in the afterschool club earlier, but only the Pawn game though. Did they love it? Of course; and so did I.

The fun is everything & that's Y I teach beginners. 18 yrs now & it's still great!

My day is done, but got a breakfast club at 8am so early nite 4 me.

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

Well, I survived the 1st class, and I have another at 3.30pm & 3 or 4 in this school always want a game with me.

I'm gonna have some fun & play all 4 of them today, so let's see how this turns out.

I'm on fire so no mercy for anyone from me!

Where I'm from we, "we don't play"

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

So I start the lesson & get challenged. Sharina says I haven't played her. So I had to tell her she's in BIG trouble & will get no mercy. "I'm only 6" she says, so do I care? Nah, not me, I'm old!

These kids creep up on you, capture your Queen & Rook & tell the whole class.

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

Ok, here I go. Monday. First chess lesson of the week. 20 children in a school are waiting for me...it's gonna be MAD!!

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

You may or you may not agree that after the first thing happens, the second thing will happen next. And just like the first thing happening first, the second thing will always happen second.

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

If you really think about this and consider it carefully, you'll realise that the first thing you do is always going to be the first thing you do. It will happen first and that’s why it’s the first thing.

It's so true, right?

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

Amazingly, I only see images of men playing chess. I'm sure girls and women play chess too, so what's going on and why are images of girls and women playing chess not being posted?

Ok, I'll post a few to start things off!

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

Who knew learning chess could be such a laugh riot? Children can join Gambit or Brambleberry junior chess clubs for lessons so entertaining, even the chess pieces have stand-up routines. Tactics just got a whole lot funnier!

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

File this under Fun at Gambit Juniors in Eltham SE9 on Wednesdays. Our Pawns may start small at 6 yrs old, but their moves are big on giggles. Enrol your child today for a Pawnomenal chessperience!!

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

Chess for Girls

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

Even though all this time has flown by since I was last on here, I still find that generosity and interdependence plays a big part of who we become and connects all of us to each other in some way.

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

As children will never stop playing chess 'Mr Weekes' or 'Richard ' to some of his students always works hard to deliver a quality learning experience that mums & dads & their children can rely on.

Get in touch at https://t.co/NY77jF4bDz to find out how I can help

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

Since he wrote this, his ideas became widely accepted.

"If acceptance, empathy and positive regard are the necessary and sufficient conditions for human growth, then they ought equally to inform teaching, friendship, and family life."

On Becoming a Person
Carl R. Rogers 1961

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

It's not even because chess is a game; if your child gets a chance to learn how to play at one of my clubs, you'll be surprised at how much fun they have.

Hey.....you'll even hear your child say my name around your house and I don't even live with you!

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

Another wonderful lunchtime chess lesson w/ 16 Year 3s & 4s at @GordonbrockS today @WeareFOG. The Parent Pay club list is open for new players in Yrs 3, 4, 5 & 6 next term, so it might be a good idea for parents to sign up to secure a place for their child.

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

@Dani_Moseley Hiya, that's not your aunty....she's your great great grandmother!!

Must be a genetic thing. 🤣🤣👍

[Richard Weekes @chessfiremonkey]

Your daughter or a girl you know can expand their knowledge about chess in a very short time. And I'd like to help them to do just that. Contact me for a chat and let's see what we can arrange