 Chess
This Merit Badge requires 2 sessions to complete.
Pathways to Eagle currently has no preparation work needed for the Chess merit badge.
- Items in RED - MUST be completed before the session starts to make it possible to complete the merit badge at Pathways to Eagle. Bring proof of completion (item, written work, note, photo, etc.)
- Items in GREEN - Can be completed before the session starts or done during merit badge session.
- Items in BLACK - MUST be ready to demonstrate your knowledge of these requirements during the merit badge session.
Scouts are strongly encouraged to use a Merit Badge worksheet to show that they have done the preparation work for the merit badge.
Download the workbook for the
Chess Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from the U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
Scouts MUST be able to discuss any items completed as preparation works or as written work.
Note: Some requirements contain items that fall into more that one category and are listed as the higher category.
1. |
Discuss with your merit badge counselor the
history of the game of chess. Explain why it is
considered a game of planning and strategy. |
2. |
Discuss with your merit badge counselor the
following: |
| a. |
The benefits of playing chess, including
developing critical thinking skills, concentration
skills, and decision-making skills, and how these
skills can help you in other areas of your life. |
| b. |
Sportsmanship and chess etiquette |
3. |
Demonstrate to your counselor that you know each
of the following. Then, using Scouting’s
Teaching EDGE*, teach someone (preferably
another Scout) who does not know how to play
chess:
* You may learn about Scouting's Teaching EDGE
from your unit leader, another Scout, or by
attending training. |
| a. |
The name of each chess piece |
| b. |
How to set up a chessboard |
| c. |
How each chess piece moves, including castling and
en passant captures |
| a. |
Demonstrate scorekeeping using the algebraic
system of chess notation. |
| b. |
Discuss the differences between the opening, the
middle game, and the endgame. |
| c. |
Explain four opening principles. |
| d. |
Explain the four rules for castling. |
| e. |
On a chessboard, demonstrate a “scholar’s mateâ€
and a “fool’s mate.†|
| f. |
Demonstrate on a chessboard four ways a chess game
can end in a draw. |
| a. |
Explain four of the following elements of chess
strategy: exploiting weaknesses, force, king
safety, pawn structure, space, tempo, time. |
| b. |
Explain any five of these chess tactics: clearance
sacrifice, decoy, discovered attack, double
attack, fork, interposing, overloading,
overprotecting, pin, remove the defender, skewer,
zwischenzug. |
| c. |
Set up a chessboard with the white king on e1, the
white rooks on a1 and h1, and the black king on
e5. With White to move first, demonstrate how to
force checkmate on the black king. |
| d. |
Set up and solve five direct-mate problems
provided by your merit badge counselor. |
6. |
Do ONE of the following: |
| a. |
Play at least three games of chess with other
Scouts and/or your merit badge counselor. Replay
the games from your score sheets and discuss with
your counselor how you might have played each game
differently. |
| b. |
Play in a scholastic (youth) chess tournament and
use your score sheets from that tournament to
replay your games with your merit badge counselor.
Discuss with your counselor how you might have
played each game differently. |
| c. |
Organize and run a chess tournament with at least
four players, plus you. Have each competitor play
at least two games. |
|
The requirements listed on this web site are believed to be correct.
The official requirements can be found in the current edition of
"Boy Scout Requirements Book 2025"
Download the workbook for the
Chess Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from, The U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
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