Pathways to Eagle logo  Pathways to Eagle XXXIV 
August 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2024
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To be able to complete a merit badge during Pathways to Eagle the preparation work MUST be completed BEFORE and turned in at the START of the merit badge session.

 

Due to the shortness of the sessions, teaching is not possible. The Scout needs to have read the merit badge pamphlet BEFORE the session and be prepared for each of the requirements.

 

The availability of a Merit Badge session will be based on the actual availability of Merit Badge counselors on the day of the event.

* Chess *   * Chess *     * Chess *

This Merit Badge is done on Friday Night ONLY.

The Pathways to Eagle preparation work items for the * Chess * merit badge are: 2,  4,  5,  6b

  • 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.
 
NOTE: All Scouts are required to bring their own chess board. If you do not bring a chessboard, you will not be able to attend this session. Also a helpful link for the direct mate problems and solutions is here meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/I mag e:02_Presentation_-_Chess_History.ppt
 
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:
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
 
4. 
 
Do the following
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 mate" and a "fool's mate."
f.  Demonstrate on a chessboard four ways a chess game can end in a draw.
 
5. 
 
Do the following:
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. 
 
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.
 
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 2024"

Download the workbook for the * Chess * Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from, The U.S. Scouting Service Project website.

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