(720) 504-8765 info@palschess.com

GET TO KNOW PALS CHESS ACADEMY

AT PALS, OUR MISSION IS TO INSPIRE LIFE-LONG CHESS PLAYERS!

Our before and after-school chess club programs start with a unique, fun and individualized chess curriculum.  We have Colorado’s best-trained chess coaches, who are passionate about teaching children and fostering a safe, fun and encouraging learning environment. PALS chess clubs work with ALL levels of chess players, from beginners who don’t know how the pieces move, to advanced players. Every year since 2014, PALS Chess Academy students have consistently scored in the top 5% at the annual Colorado State Scholastic Chess Championship with numerous state champions. 

 

In numerous studies dating back to the 1980’s, chess has been shown to enhance critical-thinking, the ability to make and follow a plan and short and long-term memory. Studies have also shown a direct correlation to chess play and increased math scores in elementary school students.  Learning how to evaluate positions in order to discard the wrong moves and make the right moves will help children improve their decision-making skills both on and off the chessboard throughout their lives.

Our lessons help students develop self-esteem, sportsmanship, critical thinking, concentration, logic, imagination and patience. The word “PALS” is not just an acronym for “Play, Aspire, Learn, Succeed” – it also reflects our view of chess as a friendly game that transcends borders, gender, disabilities, socio-economic status and generations. 

PALS offers before and after-school chess clubs, private/group lessons, summer camps and scholastic tournaments to bring quality chess education and playing opportunities to children in Colorado. As the leader in chess education, we’re excited to partner with your families to create the next generation of future chess masters!

 

Hello! My name is Kori.

Hi there, I’m Kevin!

Hey! I’m Moira.

Hi! I’m Sully.

I’m Griffin!

Meet the McConnell family, PALS’ new owners

Kevin’s chess journey began when a cute, precocious  4 year old Griffin asked him to teach him how to play chess.  One year later Griffin was playing in his 1st scholastic chess tournament where he won 1st place and…he was hooked.  As Griffin started playing regularly in chess tournaments, his little brother Sully was chomping at the bit to compete as well.  Both boys started studying chess at home and when Kevin found out that a 6 year old Sully, was letting his dad win, because he felt sorry for him, it was time to get a coach.  One year later, Sully won his first of  8 state chess championship titles. At this time, Griffin and Sullivan were about the same strength but Griffin’s health battles allowed Sullivan to overtake his older brother.  Griffin was diagnosed with Epilepsy when he was only 5 and unfortunately the seizures were unrelenting and ended up requiring brain surgery.  Moira was born in 2010 and almost immediately after her birth Griffin was diagnosed. Moira’s unique humor and bigger than life personality were instrumental in helping our family get through those tough times!

In 2013, Griffin underwent a functional left-hemispherectomy, an operation that required the removal of his left hemisphere and would leave him temporarily paralyzed on the right half of his body. He had to learn to walk and talk all over again and chess was put on hold for the better part of 6 months. Griffin continued to get better and better after his surgeries and finally made National Master when he was 17, collecting along the way, 3 state chess championship titles of his own.

During Griffin’s rehab, Sullivan continued to study and play and at age 12 became a National Master, tying a Colorado State record. When he was 13, he tied another Colorado State record by being the youngest Colorado Closed chess champion. Sullivan is continuing to travel to, and compete in, chess tournaments around the country in his quest to become a FIDE Master and ultimately a Grandmaster.

Both boys have been teaching privately and in schools for the past 6 years and will serve as PALS quality control. Beginning in September, they will be teaching two classes a week to all of the PALS chess coaches. They will also serve as head coaches at some of PALS biggest chess schools and continue to develop new lessons and curriculum for the after school programs and chess camps.

Kori McConnell is the new operations manager for PALS and will see that it runs like a well-oiled machine and Kevin McConnell will serve as the new director of PALS and will take care of coordination with schools, hiring and ongoing training of chess coaches and positioning PALS for new opportunities and growth.

Meet the McConnell family, PALS’ new owners

Kevin’s chess journey began when a cute, precocious  4 year old Griffin asked him to teach him how to play chess.  One year later Griffin was playing in his 1st scholastic chess tournament where he won 1st place and…he was hooked.  As Griffin started playing regularly in chess tournaments, his little brother Sully was chomping at the bit to compete as well.  Both boys started studying chess at home and when Kevin found out that a 6 year old Sully, was letting his dad win, because he felt sorry for him, it was time to get a coach.  One year later, Sully won his first of  8 state chess championship titles. At this time, Griffin and Sullivan were about the same strength but Griffin’s health battles allowed Sullivan to overtake his older brother.  Griffin was diagnosed with Epilepsy when he was only 5 and unfortunately the seizures were unrelenting and ended up requiring brain surgery.  Moira was born in 2010 and almost immediately after her birth Griffin was diagnosed. Moira’s unique humor and bigger than life personality were instrumental in helping our family get through those tough times!

In 2013, Griffin underwent a functional left-hemispherectomy, an operation that required the removal of his left hemisphere and would leave him temporarily paralyzed on the right half of his body. He had to learn to walk and talk all over again and chess was put on hold for the better part of 6 months. Griffin continued to get better and better after his surgeries and finally made National Master when he was 17, collecting along the way, 3 state chess championship titles of his own.

During Griffin’s rehab, Sullivan continued to study and play and at age 12 became a National Master, tying a Colorado State record. When he was 13, he tied another Colorado State record by being the youngest Colorado Closed chess champion. Sullivan is continuing to travel to, and compete in, chess tournaments around the country in his quest to become a FIDE Master and ultimately a Grandmaster.

Both boys have been teaching privately and in schools for the past 6 years and will serve as PALS quality control. Beginning in September, they will be teaching two classes a week to all of the PALS chess coaches. They will also serve as head coaches at some of PALS biggest chess schools and continue to develop new lessons and curriculum for the after school programs and chess camps.

Kori McConnell is the new operations manager for PALS and will see that it runs like a well-oiled machine and Kevin McConnell will serve as the new director of PALS and will take care of coordination with schools, hiring and ongoing training of chess coaches and positioning PALS for new opportunities and growth.

Meet Kevin

Get to know Kevin

What’s your favorite movie character and why? Henry Limpet (actor Don Knotts) in the Incredible Mr. Limpet
What food would you eat every day if you could?  Chipotle
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?  I’d be an aardvark because they can eat up to 50,000 ants
in a night and their old burrows provide homes for other animals such as African wild dogs.
What is your favorite color? Hunter Green because it’s soothing
What’s your favorite thing about PALS? Being able to see the lightbulb moment when kids suddenly GET IT!
What’s your favorite chess move? The Royal Fork

Meet Kori

Get to know Kori

What’s your favorite movie character and why? Wonder Woman, because she’s strong and fierce.
What food would you eat every day if you could? Nachos all the way baby!
What is your favorite animal and why? Dogs…chihuahua mixes to be exact. They are sassy, loyal, and I can carry them around easily, well…with the exception of one of our 3, he’s too chunky.
What’s your favorite color? Yellow, such a happy color!
What’s your favorite thing about PALS? Seeing kids fall in love with the game and get so excited when they understand a new concept!
What’s your favorite chess move? I love watching my kids play and feel great when they play their best!

Meet Moira

Get to know Moira

What’s your favorite character? Roy Kent from Ted Lasso because he’s so intimidatingly intense and looks mean, but he’s super loving and loyal when he cares.
What food would you eat every day if you could? Salt! And Mustard! And… okay I’ll stop because my dad said these are condiments. Lemons and Pickles.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? Lynx because they are clever, intimidating predators who are powerful and beautiful in nature.
What is your favorite color? Black, it goes with everything.
What’s your favorite chess move? None. I don’t enjoy playing chess anymore. My best chess moves are…Writing lyrics, making jewelry, and making digital art…and loving any dogs, especially our 3!

Meet Sully

Get to know Sully

What’s your favorite movie? I have so many favorite movies it’s hard for me to pick, so…
Monty Python and the Holy Grail, because I’m the black knight!
What is your favorite color? Orange because I’m a devoted Broncos fan even when they are losing.
What food would you eat every day if you could? Got Milk?
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I’d be a Grizzly Bear, so I could spend ½ my year doing what I love most, SLEEP.
What’s your favorite thing about PALS? I just can’t choose! I love it all.
What’s your favorite thing about chess? Winning.

 

 

 

Meet Griffin

Get to know Griffin

What’s your favorite movie character and why? Alien, Because it’s one of the first movies I have seen with a strong female lead from the 1980’s. Ripley-the lead’s name, that would have been my name if I was a girl.
What’s your favorite color and why? Green- I love all the various colors of green and if I wear green, my eyes turn greener!
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I’d be an Elephant, because they are kind and gentle but when they feel threatened, they are protectors.
What’s your favorite thing about PALS? Watching the kids grow as chess players and watching them have fun!
What’s your favorite chess move? En Passant, because it’s fun to say with my speech disability!

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