PIT Meets run as a two-hour program with clear age- and maturity-based groupings:

• 1:30–2:30 PM: Younger & developing Apprentices (shortened time block)

• 1:30–3:30 PM: Older & more experienced Apprentices (full time block)

Some younger Apprentices may stay for the full two hours if developmentally ready. Families may also opt for a one-hour experience (1:30–2:30 PM) when appropriate. HCA staff will work with and advise families to ensure a positive learning environment for all students.

Families attending a PIT Meet for the first time will be asked to provide essential contact information and indicate photo consent preferences. Hoosier Chess Academy takes family consent choices seriously and honors them at all times.

We have some important expectations for Apprentices to ensure Meets run safely and smoothly:

• Apprentices are expected to engage respectfully and follow instructions  

• Consistent attendance leads to the best progress  

• Families should communicate absences or early departures in advance  

Parents are welcome to stay and observe in the chess room, wait in the church lobby, or step out and return later. If leaving the building, families must notify HCA staff in advance so we are aware of student supervision plans.

• Participate in engaging, differentiated lessons  

• Engage in interactive chess activities

• Study tactics and strategy

• Play guided practice games and casual games with peers

• Review games with trained coaches  

• Practice chess notation and clock use

Apprentices are encouraged to think carefully, take their time, and reflect on their games.

• 1:30–2:00 Free chess play with fellow Apprentices and coaches

• 2:00–2:10 Award ceremony if Apprentices recently leveled up

• 2:10–3:00 Lesson groups

• 3:00–3:30 Whole-group activity

PIT Meets employ the ChessKid.com curriculum for skill development and progression. Apprentices work within skill-based ranks and can advance over time by demonstrating understanding, consistency, and readiness. Students begin in the first rank, called the Pawn rank, and have opportunities to test out and level up from there.

ChessKid.com should be used at home as an important learning and assessment tool. When students are ready to test out of a rank, HCA staff facilitate assessments on ChessKid using HCA devices.

Apprentices receive complimentary ChessKid Gold access as part of their participation, if not already earned through participation in a school chess program. To maintain access, Apprentices must attend at least three PIT Meets per full semester.

• Spring Semester: January–May  

• Fall Semester: August–December  

• Summer Semester: Participation in one PIT Meet (June or July)

Click here to view full information about how we use ChessKid at PIT Meets.

Apprentices are placed into the following ranks, ordered hierarchically:

♟ PAWN

(introductory rank focused on foundations: rules, check/checkmate, piece safety, basic mates, and good chess habits)

♞ KNIGHT

(early tactics and opening principles: center control, development, basic tactical themes like pins, forks, and skewers)

♝ BISHOP

(intermediate play: coordinating pieces, defending/attacking plans, common tactical ideas like discovered attacks and double attacks)

♜ ROOK

(advanced scholastic level: calculation, simple endgames and rook activity, building a basic opening repertoire, evaluating positions)

♚ QUEEN/KING

(top apprentice tiers: deeper planning and endings, advanced tactics, leadership and model habits; highest recognition within the apprentice system)

♚ SUPERKING

There are two ways for Apprentices to demonstrate mastery of each rank to Hoosier Chess Academy staff (in other words, test out):

• Study the material at home and through lessons at PIT Meets, complete lessons independently at home or school, then share a certificate with us

  • This is ideal for older Apprentices who may have the time and self-control to concentrate on engaging with the ChessKid site on their own.

• Study the material at home and through lessons at PIT Meets, then work one-on-one with us at a PIT Meet

  • This is ideal for younger Apprentices!

When an Apprentice is ready to test out:

1. Come to your next PIT Meet and make some noise!

2. Show us your certificate if you have one 

3. Answer a few supplemental questions or solve a few extra puzzles we may have for you*

4. Receive a new coded nametag showing your new rank!

   1. Then from there, join the next lesson level up and keep learning on ChessKid to work toward the next one!

We celebrate! Advancing in rank is recognized with a short ceremony, an update on our poster board, and continued recognition on the Apprentice’s name badge. We will then invite the Apprentice to join the lesson group of the next-highest level. We may also award prestigious medals to Apprentices who demonstrate effort, consistency, and passion as they climb higher with chess. These milestones are about more than the game—they build resilience, focus, teamwork, and pride that transfer to school and life beyond chess.

View this document (click here).