Chess Merit Badge

[optimist]

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ScoutmasterBob
Counselor

Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 79
Location: Woods Cross, Utah
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 12:24 pm Post subject: Chess Merit
Badge

The Gaming MB has sparked some great conversation.....so I
thought what about Chess being a merit badge?

There is already an academic belt loop that the Cub Scouts can
earn, can a Chess MB be far behind?
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SLB1026
Tenderfoot

Joined: 10 Aug 2004
Posts: 11
Location: Conshohocken, PA
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 12:59 pm Post subject:

Ok Bob, now I have to ask you to enlighten me with regards to
chess! I don't know how to play chess, so I won't pretend to
know that I do. What I do want to know, is what other kinds of
requirements, besides learning the rules would you ask for if
this became a merit badge? You see, chess is not unlike the
gaming I was talking about at the prior board. You can play in
matches, visit chess clubs etc. Please...tell me more!
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BM_Crawford
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Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 131
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 01:30 pm Post subject:

Chess is an increidbile strategy game. There are countless
strategies developed by expert players. That may have
something to do with the requirements.
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Guneukitschik
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Joined: 02 Aug 2004
Posts: 162
Location: Waynesboro, PA
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 01:37 pm Post subject:

Ok I see that Chess is a game of strategy... but is this any
different than the strategy and role playing that was being
discussed in regards to the possible gaming mb?
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BM_Crawford
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Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 131
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 01:45 pm Post subject:

I'm not saying that gamming merit badge is a bad idea at all!
Don't get that idea please I was only stating that BSA frowns
on any kind of card related games. If I was a scout when a
gamming merit badge came out I'd take it. Believe me I love
role playing.
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Guneukitschik
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Joined: 02 Aug 2004
Posts: 162
Location: Waynesboro, PA
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 02:17 pm Post subject:

Perhaps try taking a few steps back and look at the big
picture!

There is a lot more to scouting anymore than just
scouting!...which is sad, but this is the world we live in and
must deal with what we've got.

There are issues, policies, etc. all of which must be dealt
with. It will probably only become worse and worse in the
future....

I'm actually surprised that the amount of paperwork has not
drastically increased over the years as well...
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BM_Crawford
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Joined: 12 Jul 2004
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Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 02:22 pm Post subject:

Yes but when your dealing with scouting its all about
scouting. It doesnt matter what the bigger picture is when
your dealing with scouts you have to do what scouting likes.
Card games are fun they just arnt for scouts.
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Guneukitschik
Life

Joined: 02 Aug 2004
Posts: 162
Location: Waynesboro, PA
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 02:26 pm Post subject:

No I was saying look at the big picture...meaning look at
scouting from a National perspective... Sure, card games are
fun and they may be appropriate for your troop at the present
time...however, when comparing your troop to all the troops in
the BSA... like you said previously...Card games are frowned
upon!
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BM_Crawford
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Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 131
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 02:28 pm Post subject:

Oh yes exactly I'm sorry I misunderstood you
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optimist
Advancement Chairman

Joined: 27 Jun 2004
Posts: 144

Posted: 13 Aug 2004 02:31 pm Post subject:

ScoutmasterBob wants to talk about chess, not cards. Please
take that discussion back to the other thread.

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Guneukitschik
Life

Joined: 02 Aug 2004
Posts: 162
Location: Waynesboro, PA
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 02:34 pm Post subject:

Sorry...forgot where I was...
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ScoutmasterBob
Counselor

Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 79
Location: Woods Cross, Utah
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 04:43 pm Post subject:

Fair enough SLB1026, I am a good sport, let me give it some
thought, and a couple of days and I will enlighten you.

I like a good challenge, Ill try to make a good case.
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SLB1026
Tenderfoot

Joined: 10 Aug 2004
Posts: 11
Location: Conshohocken, PA
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 05:46 pm Post subject:

Bob, I'd love to hear them...I would share some of mine...I'll
bet some of them actually end up being the same!
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[Wyvern]

Perhaps the scouts could learn the names of the opening moves?

[optimist]

That sounds like an excellent possibility. However, I think there are dozens of opening moves, aren't there? Maybe it should be "Name four or five common opening moves and explain their good points and their bad points."

[BM_Crawford]

That's a good idea. Another idea is to teach scouts how to create their own individualized opening moves and how to use them to strategize. (Something I've done with my chess matches.

[Wyvern]

another could be to play a certain number of matches and explain what you did right/wrong.

I'm an avid chess player myself...

[BM_Crawford]

That is an excellent idea! Learning your mistakes is an excellent way of improving them!

[scoutmasterbob]

Knowing the history of chess, it is an old game.

Recording your matches using chess notation.

Participate in a tournament.

Knowing the names of all the pieces and how they move.

List some of the chess organizations, and contact them and find out how to join.

I am still working on some other ideas.

[PaulSWolf]

As I understand it, a Chess MB has been proposed to the National Advancement Committee on numerous occasions in the past, but that it has been turned down each time.

[Guneukitschik]

perhaps the reason is that the subject is too narrow....

If there were a Chess Merit Badge...

Could there be a Monopoly Merit Badge? (sorry, I couldn't resist!!!)

Why not then have a Football MB, Soccer MB, Baseball MB, etc?

Cycling and Swimming MB's don't go into the competitive aspect either? The requirements could be changed to include this as well?

[Wyvern]

Someone said that chess is a very old game......
perhaps one of the requirements could be to write a few pages about the history of chess, early versions of chess, and how it was developed
How is chess narrow? It's a HUGE game!

[SLB1026]

Bob, those are some great ideas! I also think the history thing is a very cool idea too!

Even if it has been turned down before, we don't exactly know how much detail was given.

I would think if you could make a good case, they would have to at least consider it again!

Stacey

[Guneukitschik]

I'm not against it as a merit badge... but I think you'll have a tough time getting a chess merit badge.

Here is a listing of the possible requirements you've come up with so far:
- Describe the History of the game of Chess?
- Keep a record of your chess matches using Chess notation,
- Make a listing of what you did right and wrong during your matches?
(This one may need the assistance of a counselor since the scouts are most likely still learning the game of Chess.)
- Participate in a Chess tournament
- Name all of the Chess pieces and how each of them move.
- Listing of Chess organizations
- Name 4 or 5 common opening moves and explain their good and bad points.
- Create your own individualized opening move and explain it's good and bad points.
- Define Strategy.

What about computer Chess games? Online Tournaments?
Should the "modern" chess be included in this MB as well?

[Wyvern]

What about computer Chess games? Online Tournaments?
Should the "modern" chess be included in this MB as well?

uh...... sure......

- Participate in at least 2 online tournaments, and give a report on them.

Perhaps if this has trouble being a merit badge, we could combine it with similar board games, like backgammon, and call it...... ?

[darvid]

I myself am a former scout, scoutmaster and are an active Chess Candidate Master as well as a Certified USCF tournament director. I think a Chess MB is a good idea. Chess is more than a "game" . It teaches about life. It helps you plan and organize . Rewards skills and punishes carelessness. Most of all it teaches you How to think. Requirments Here are my Suggestions

1.) Give a brief history of the game.
2.) Name and correctly show the moves of each piece.
3.) Explain " en passant"
4.) Explain "castling" and when it can and can not be made
5.) Record a game that you played in chess notation. Replay that game with your conselor . Suggest areas of improvement
6.) Do 2 of the following
a.) Play in a chess tournament
b.) Organize a chess club in your school community
c.) Buy and read a chess book . Explain to your conselor and how it improved your play
d.) Help organize a chess tournament or event
7.) Discuss with your conselor proper behavior and manners .

[riverwalk]

That's a pretty awesome start! It could also relate to International Scouting, Collections MB, online play, tournaments as you mentioned. Gee, it could even sPAWN an activity at a Scout Show, haha.

[JRTroop270]

I myself am a former scout, scoutmaster and are an active Chess Candidate Master as well as a Certified USCF tournament director. I think a Chess MB is a good idea. Chess is more than a "game" . It teaches about life. It helps you plan and organize . Rewards skills and punishes carelessness. Most of all it teaches you How to think. Requirments Here are my Suggestions

1.) Give a brief history of the game.
2.) Name and correctly show the moves of each piece.
3.) Explain " en passant"
4.) Explain "castling" and when it can and can not be made
5.) Record a game that you played in chess notation. Replay that game with your conselor . Suggest areas of improvement
6.) Do 2 of the following
a.) Play in a chess tournament
b.) Organize a chess club in your school community
c.) Buy and read a chess book . Explain to your conselor and how it improved your play
d.) Help organize a chess tournament or event
7.) Discuss with your conselor proper behavior and manners .

These rules for a chess merit badge said good but i have a few changes to make.

6a: Play in a chess tournament, and record at least TWO of the matches in chess notation.

6e: Join a chess team and be an active member for at least 4 months

And another possible requirement: Play a total of 50 games of chess and keep a chart of the results from each game. Present the chart to your counselor