America's Foundation for Chess uses chess as a learning tool to teach higher level thinking skills, advanced math and reading skills and build self-esteem in students.  Our First Move program was professionally designed, maps to State Standards for 2nd and 3rd graders, and is fun and easy to teach.

Kids see chess as a game; they don't realize the powerful learning that goes on while they play.  Teachers see students picking up math concepts more quickly, a better aptitude for reading comprehension, a new sense of focus and more courtesy towards others.

First Move is offered during the School Day as a supplemental curriculum to the existing core curriculum.  Our focus is not on competition or tournament play, but rather in the thinking skills that are an inherent part of chess.