Chess at Three Holiday Camps — What They Do and What They Offer

Chess at Three is a children’s chess enrichment and holiday camp provider with programmes in Singapore that help young learners discover and develop chess skills in a fun, story-based environment. Originating from New York City and launched locally in Singapore, Chess at Three uses an award-winning, narrative curriculum to make chess engaging and accessible for kids aged approximately 4–12 years old and up, blending tactical thinking with creative play.

The organisation partners its holiday camps with its broader chess and role-playing programmes, encouraging children to use strategic thinking, critical reasoning and decision-making while interacting socially with peers. Camps are regularly featured on lists of well-regarded holiday programmes for children in Singapore.

Holiday Camp Structure & Schedule

Chess at Three’s holiday camps are typically delivered as weekday, multi-day programmes during school holiday periods in Singapore. Camps usually run Monday to Friday, with each day lasting about 3 hours of activity. These sessions combine instruction, guided play and structured learning challenges for participants.

Camps are offered at multiple locations across Singapore, giving families flexibility in where they attend. Typical venues include:

• United Square, Novena
• Bukit Timah Plaza
• Harbourfront Centre
• Katong (near i12 Mall)
• Tampines Central Community Complex
• Newton area (10 Winstedt Rd)

Session times vary slightly by location (e.g., 9:45 AM–12:45 PM or 10 AM–1 PM). Afternoon camps are also available on selected weeks.

Customised holiday camps are available upon request, allowing families or small groups to book tailored sessions to suit specific needs or schedules.

Featured Camp Programmes & Themes

Chess at Three holiday camps are organised into multiple thematic tracks, each designed to develop different levels of chess skill, strategic understanding, and cognitive engagement:

Beginner Camp

• Designed for complete beginners.
• Children learn all the chess pieces, basic gameplay and how to checkmate an opponent.
• Uses games and engaging stories to introduce chess fundamentals.
• Includes a Treasure Hunt Tournament as a camp highlight.
• Targeted at children aged 4–6 years.

Advanced Beginner Camp

• Focuses on developing players’ understanding of how to checkmate opponents with growing confidence.
• Incorporates fun storytelling and interactive activities.
• Ends with a Chess Mini Tournament where campers apply what they’ve learnt.
• Suitable for children aged 6–12 with no prerequisite experience.

Secret Missions Camp

• Introduces strategy principles through themed “secret missions” that teach opening strategy fundamentals.
• Builds on basic understanding of how chess games are developed.
• Includes a Chess Mini Tournament at the end of the week.
• Designed for campers familiar with checkmate basics.

Math of Chess Camp

• Explores the mathematical and analytical side of chess.
• Teaches relative piece valuation, trade decisions, movement efficiency and tactical evaluation.
• Culminates in competitive play through a Chess Mini Tournament.
• Intended for players who already know basic strategic concepts.

Chess Variants Camp

• Focuses on non-standard chess variant games that broaden strategy and adaptability.
• Helps campers develop flexibility in thinking and tactical perspective by learning how different pieces and rules affect play.
• Ends with an event called Chess-lympics, featuring variant games.
• Designed for those comfortable with game fundamentals.

Chess Masters Camp

• A more advanced track that studies famous strategies, complex opening theory and endgame principles.
• Builds creativity, tactical boldness and deeper analytical thinking.
• Concludes with an Endgame Decathlon challenge.
• Suitable for children with established strategic foundations.

Birchguard Quest

• An additional story-driven role-playing experience that complements chess camps with collaborative puzzles, world building and problem solving.
• Encourages creativity, leadership, teamwork, and communication alongside strategic gameplay.
• Available to campers interested in narrative and cooperative challenges.

Instructional & Learning Approach

Chess at Three’s holiday camps use a unique pedagogy based on storytelling and narrative learning, where chess concepts are introduced through memorable characters and imaginative contexts. This method aims to keep children engaged, curious and motivated as they internalise strategy and positional awareness.

The curriculum is endorsed by grandmasters and educational partners, and delivered by trained instructors who guide children through lesson content, games and challenges that build critical thinking, pattern recognition and problem-solving skills.

In addition to chess instruction, most camps include break time activities, such as crafts or shorter themed puzzles like Birchguard Quest, to keep the experience fun and varied.

Age Range & Skill Levels

Holiday camps at Chess at Three are designed for children approximately 4 to 12 years old (age ranges vary by programme and skill level). The range of camps — from Beginner to Chess Masters — allows children with no prior chess knowledge to start learning from scratch, as well as those with some experience to deepen strategic understanding.

Some camps (like Birchguard Quest) are open to a broader age range (often 5+) and focus on narrative adventure elements alongside chess fundamentals.

Holiday Camp Format & Duration

Chess at Three holiday camps are typically 5-day programmes held during major holiday windows throughout the year — including mid-year and end-of-year school breaks. Each camp day is approximately 3 hours long, providing a balance between concentrated learning and playful, engaging activities.

Both morning and afternoon sessions may be available depending on the week and venue, allowing families flexibility in scheduling around other commitments.

Locations & Contact Information

Chess at Three operates camps across multiple venues in Singapore to serve different regions and make holiday programmes accessible to more families. Locations include:

• United Square (Novena)
• Bukit Timah Plaza
• Harbourfront Centre
• Katong (near i12 Mall)
• Tampines Central Community Complex
• Newton (10 Winstedt Rd)

Parents can register for holiday camps and get more details through the Chess at Three Singapore website or by contacting the organisation via phone or WhatsApp.

Benefits for Participants

Children attending Chess at Three holiday camps are likely to experience:

• Improved chess knowledge, including basic rules, openings, strategy and tactical decision-making.
• Enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills cultivated through structured game play and strategic analysis.
• Development of cognitive skills, such as pattern recognition and planning ahead.
• Social engagement and teamwork during group activities and friendly tournaments.
• Confidence building, as children apply what they learn in “mini-tournaments” and group challenges.

Conclusion

Chess at Three Holiday Camps in Singapore provide structured, story-based chess education for children aged about 4 to 12 years, combining themed camps such as Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Secret Missions, Math of Chess, Chess Variants and Chess Masters with narrative learning, engaging puzzles and end-of-week activities. Held weekday mornings or afternoons across multiple locations, these camps help young learners build chess skills, critical thinking and social confidence in an interactive and enjoyable holiday setting.