Winter 2026 Registration is Now Open!
Dear Parents and Chess Enthusiasts,
As the winter season approaches, we're excited to announce our comprehensive 10-week chess program for Winter 2026! Building on the success of our fall program, this winter session is designed to provide structured, progressive learning that reinforces fundamental skills while introducing advanced concepts through our proven reinforcement learning approach.
Program Overview
Location: Morristown Masonic Center, 39 Maple Ave, Morristown, NJ, 07960
Schedule: Sundays, January - March 2026
Class Times: 10am-12pm (Both Class A & B)
Tournaments: Bi-weekly USCF rated tournaments at 1PM
Class Structure
Class A (First Floor): Intermediate players (Ages 13-18 | 1200-1600 Rating)
Class B (Second Floor): Beginner players (Ages 13 & Under | 200-1000 Rating)
Introducing the "Norm Quest" Achievement System
We're thrilled to introduce our unique achievement tracking system that makes student progress visible and celebrated throughout the program! Students will work toward earning eight colorful norm categories:
🎯 Red Norm: Checkmate mastery
🎯 Orange Norm: Tactical combinations
🎯 Gold Norm: Endgame expertise
🎯 Green Norm: Rules proficiency
🎯 Blue Norm: Opening strategies
🎯 Purple Norm: Game analysis
🎯 Pink Norm: Tournament etiquette
🎯 Black Norm: Competition readiness
"Parents in Morristown appreciate being able to see tangible progress," explained our program director. "The norm system provides clear milestones and celebrates every achievement, keeping students motivated throughout the winter program."
What Makes Our Winter Program Special?
Reinforcement Learning Approach
Our Winter 2026 curriculum is specifically designed using reinforcement learning principles:
Spaced Repetition: Key concepts revisited throughout the program
Progressive Complexity: Skills build systematically week by week
Practical Application: Every lesson includes hands-on practice
Immediate Feedback: Real-time coaching during practice games
World-Class Instruction
Expert Coaches: Seasoned professionals & tournament players
1:6 Instructor-Student Ratio: Personalized attention guaranteed
Structured Curriculum: Scholastic Mastery Chess Courses
Flexible Options: Virtual, Group, & 1-on-1 Coaching available
Community Building in Morris County
The parent lounge provides a comfortable space for Morristown area families to connect while their children learn, fostering a supportive chess community in northern New Jersey.
"Morristown has become a hub for quality educational programs, and our chess academy fits perfectly with the community's commitment to youth development," our director noted. "We're seeing interest from families throughout Morris County who recognize the cognitive benefits chess provides."
Winter 2026 Schedule: Progressive Skill Building
Weeks 1-3: Foundation Building
Week 1 (Jan 4): Program Orientation & Assessment
Placement evaluation for proper class assignment
Overview of winter curriculum and tournament schedule
Basic piece movements and board orientation review
Introduction to chess notation system
Week 2 (Jan 11): Tactical Foundations
Checkmate patterns (1-move puzzles)
Basic defensive techniques (move/block/protect)
Opening principles: Control center, develop pieces, castle early
Practice games with notation
Week 3 (Jan 18): Positional Awareness
Piece value and exchange principles
Basic tactical devices: forks and pins
Board terminology mastery (ranks, files, diagonals)
First bi-weekly tournament preparation
Weeks 4-6: Skill Reinforcement & Application
Week 4 (Jan 25): Advanced Tactics & Tournament
TOURNAMENT DAY: USCF-rated competition
Post-tournament analysis and feedback
Advanced tactical devices: skewers and discovered attacks
Defensive pattern recognition
Week 5 (Feb 1): Endgame Mastery
Basic checkmates: Queen+King, Rook+King
Pawn promotion strategies
King and pawn endgames
Stalemate recognition and avoidance
Week 6 (Feb 8): Opening Systems & Strategy
Opening repertoire development
Positional concepts: weak squares, pawn structure
Thought process training
Second bi-weekly tournament preparation
Weeks 7-9: Advanced Application & Competition Prep
Week 7 (Feb 15): Complex Combinations & Tournament
TOURNAMENT DAY: USCF-rated competition
Multi-move tactical sequences
Positional evaluation skills
Game analysis techniques
Week 8 (Feb 22): Strategic Planning
Candidate move selection
Maneuvering techniques
Exchange principles in middlegame
Time management in tournament play
Week 9 (Mar 1): Competition Preparation
Mock tournament simulation
Advanced endgame theory
Psychological preparation for competition
Final tournament strategy session
Week 10: Culmination & Celebration
Week 10 (Mar 8): Championship Tournament & Awards
FINAL TOURNAMENT: 5-round Swiss system
Awards ceremony for top performers and norm achievers
Program completion certificates
Progress assessment and next steps guidance
Registration Information for Morris County Families
Pricing & Availability
Early Bird Pricing: $440 (available until December 15, 2025)
Standard Rate: $490 (after December 15th)
Spots Available: Limited to 32 students across both programs
Important Dates
Registration Deadline: December 28th, 2025
First Day of Class: January 4th, 2026
Program Duration: 10 Weeks (January - March)
Make-up Week: March 15th, 2026
Registration Process
Complete the online registration form at NJCC Registration Portal
Submit tuition payment through our secure system
Receive welcome package with program details and norm tracking materials
Join our WhatsApp group for ongoing communications
Student Development Pathways
Beginner Track (Class B)
Beginner 1 → Beginner 2 → Advanced Beginner
Mastering fundamentals through systematic reinforcement
Intermediate Track (Class A)
Intermediate 1 → Intermediate 2
Building competitive skills through progressive challenges
Parent & Student Benefits
Convenience Features
Complimentary Sunday Parking in Morristown
Parent Lounge for socializing and observation
Flexible Make-up Options for missed sessions
Family Chess Meets on select Fridays
Learning Support
Weekly Progress Updates for parents including norm achievements
Online Practice Resources between sessions
WhatsApp Community Group for ongoing support
Individualized Feedback from coaches
Join Our Chess Community
We're more than just a chess program - we're building a community of young thinkers, strategists, and friends. Our winter program is designed to not only improve chess skills but also develop critical thinking, patience, and sportsmanship.
Ready to begin your chess journey this winter?
REGISTER NOW FOR WINTER 2026 CHESS PROGRAM
For questions or additional information:
📞 (201) 588-7022
🌐 njchess.club
Join our WhatsApp community: WhatsApp Group Link
We look forward to welcoming you to Morristown's premier chess learning experience!
~ The NJCC Team
