Checkmate at Chess Club
#16 of 119 in Hardy Boys Series
on Goodreads (14)
What’s inside...
In 'Checkmate at Chess Club', the Hardy boys find themselves entangled in a mystery involving a mysterious disappearance during a local chess tournament. They must use their wits and detective skills to unravel the mystery and discover the truth. In 'Check City', when the queen and king go missing, it is up to the reader to solve the mystery by moving the pieces to their proper places on the board in order to put things back to normal in this colorfully illustrated introduction to the game of chess. When Check City is captured and the queen and king go missing, it is up to the reader to solve the mystery by moving the pieces to their proper places on the board in order to put things back to normal in this colorfully illustrated introduction to the game of chess.
Discussion points
What do you think made the main character want to join the chess club?
How did the characters in the story demonstrate teamwork or problem-solving?
What would you have done differently if you were in the main character's situation during the chess tournament?
How do you think playing chess can help people in real life?
What did you learn about facing challenges from this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Focus on the motivations behind the characters' actions to help your child understand their emotions and decisions.
Highlight the problem-solving aspects of the story, and relate them to everyday situations your child might encounter.
Encourage your child to express what they found interesting or surprising in the book to foster a deeper connection with the material.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings or scenarios to enhance their creative thinking skills.
Discuss the importance of patience and strategy, using examples from the book and connecting them to real-life benefits of playing chess.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Strategy and Planning
Explanation: The protagonist in 'Checkmate at Chess Club' learns to think ahead and strategize each move in chess, mirroring problem-solving in real life.
Real-World Application: Children can apply strategic thinking skills learned from chess to their academic tasks and personal challenges, enhancing their ability to plan and make thoughtful decisions.
Example Lesson: Sportsmanship
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters demonstrate good sportsmanship, showing respect and grace whether they win or lose at chess.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn the importance of being gracious in victory and resilient in defeat, not just in games but in various social interactions and competitions.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: Chess games often require waiting and watching carefully, teaching children the value of patience as they plan their moves.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that sometimes waiting and observing can lead to better outcomes than rushing actions, applicable in schoolwork, relationships, and personal goals.
Example Lesson: Concentration
Explanation: The characters in the story enhance their ability to concentrate while playing chess, which is critical to succeeding in the game.
Real-World Application: Improving concentration can aid children in their studies, help them maintain focus during tasks, and improve their attention to detail.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: As chess matches unfold, characters encounter various challenges and must devise creative solutions to overcome them.
Real-World Application: Children learn that, like in chess, real-life problems often require innovative thinking and that multiple methods may exist to address a single issue.