 C&O Family Chess Center
217 West Diamond Avenue
Gaithersburg, MD 20877-2106
B. Ross Pancoast, Director
redross26chess@gmail.com
Omar Pancoast, Senior Chess Coach
Carolyn Pancoast, Program Director
(Under Construction - Last Update 06/13/23)
2023 Summer Programs
Watch this page for updates!
 "Big Chess" on the
Chess Center porch Morning Program, August, 2005 C&O-FCC

A "motley crew," Week 8 Campers Morning Program, August, 2008 C&O-FCC
2023 Summer Programs
Two options - Online and at the
Chess Center
Week 1: June
19 - 23 at
C&O Family Chess Center and online
Week
2: June
26 - 30 at
C&O Family Chess Center and online
July 3 - 7 VACATION
Week 3: July 10 -
14 at C&O Family Chess Center and online
Week 4: July
17 - 21
at C&O Family Chess Center and online
July 24 - 28
VACATION
Week 5: July 31 -
August 4
at C&O Family Chess Center and online
Week
6: August 7 - 11
at C&O Family Chess Center and online
Week
7: August 14 - 18 at
C&O Family Chess Center and online
August 21 - 25
VACATION
ENROLLMENT:
Registration at the Center limited to 13 full day students (entering
Gr. 1-8)
phone 301-712-8564
(Ross Pancoast)
with questions
ONLINE
REGISTRATION
These programs are organized and directed by well known area chess coach,
Ross Pancoast, assisted by his father, Senior Coach Omar Pancoast.
Chess activities will include individual and group instruction for beginning & intermediate players, problems & puzzles, "bughouse," competition against
online players, and more.
Three Regular Program
Sections Each Week:
A)
Full Day Chess &
Activities (1-8th) 9 AM - 4
PM
B) Half-day Mornings
(1-8th - chess only) 9 AM -
Noon C*) Online Afternoon Classes
(Experienced Players*) 2:00 - 3:30 & Practice
*
Contact CoachOmar on Chess.com, or at
OPancoast3@gmail.com, or by phone at 301-963-9122
FULL DAY SECTION:
A) "Chess &
Activities" - Afternoon activities may include board & strategy games,
outdoor play in our spacious back-yard playground, trips to
local & state parks and recreation areas, and
other activities.
Suitable for all ages. limited to
13 students. Register early - this section fills first! HALF-DAY SECTION:
B) Morning Chess (9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon) Beginner & Intermediate instructional program (see above). Recommended for younger
students. Limited enrollment (5).
ONLINE ZOOM SECTION:
C)
Afternoon (2:00 -
3:30*) Beginner & Intermediate instruction, including
online matches with other students and appropriate online
members. Online play may continue on Chess.com after the
Zoom meeting ends. Each day's games may form part of the
following day's instruction and analysis. Limited
enrollment.
ONLINE
REGISTRATION
All students will receive access
to chess study materials, a club-rating, and a free membership in the Chess.com on-line program. ENROLLMENT: Registration limited to 13 full day
(5 half day) students per week. TUITION:
Full-Day Sections: $300 1st
week $280/week additional weeks
Half-Day Sections: $180
1st week
$170/week additional weeks
Online Zoom Sections: $100
per week
Before-Care Daily : 8-9 AM $15
After-Care Daily:
4-5 PM $15
ONLINE
REGISTRATION
or phone: 301-712-8564 with questions. All sessions take
place at the C&O Family Chess Center 217 West Diamond Avenue
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
REGISTRATION FORMS:
Normal registration may be made
using the forms
linked above.
If you
can't access forms, you may request them from us by E-mail or
phone. Online registration may be made at
ONLINE
REGISTRATION
E-mail:
Redross26chess@gmail.com
Phone: 301-712-8564
Some Past Summer
Program Pictures & References
 Swimming Hole Swing at Seneca Creek, Week 7 Full Day Program, August, 2008 C&O-FCC
"My daughter... in a year long chess program with coach Omar... loved it. ...I was impressed with [his] teaching skills and knowledge. His methods are well suited to children of all ages. ...Our daughter is excited to continue with coach Omar again..." -- Mr. & Mrs. M. Munter, Bethesda, MD
 "On the C&O Canal," Week 8 Full Day Program, August, 2008 C&O-FCC
"Our son... has absolutely loved your scholastic and camp programs and looks forward to them - chess has become an important hobby and interest of his... a passion... Great work by you all!" -- Mr. & Mrs. P. Koenig, Poolesville, MD
 "Opening the Lock," C&O Canal, Week 8 Full Day Program, August, 2008 C&O-FCC
"My daughter... has been going to their chess classes... for 4 years [and also] to Spring Break and Summer sessions. ...This is one thing that she never needs to be pushed to. She has made great progress [and] is a decent chess player now. ...They are skillful and professional." -- Mrs. J. Sun, Germantown, MD
"My son... really enjoyed the programs... and also the Black Knights tournaments... [He] started with a minimum experience and within 3 years he was able to compete at the national and international level. We as parents... really enjoyed every moment to be involved with the chess center... I would definitely recommend... the C&O Chess Center as a great option to play and learn chess." -- Dr. N. Shankar, MD, Germantown, MD
 Chess in Seneca Creek State Park Full Day Program, July, 2003 C&O-FCC
"My daughter,... 7, has not attended any of the camps. However, she has been enrolled in the Saturday Morning Chess Club at Lakeforest Mall for almost a year now. I must say that [she] very much enjoys going there... She has improved her chess skills over the year and I hope she will do the same in the Fall again. She benefits from the environment the club provides... plays games with other kids and with my help goes over the analysis [provided]. [Coach Omar] has been able to give her several one-on-one lessons which are very useful in understanding subtleties of the game. ...To conclude, the chess club... has been a very conducive atmosphere for my daughter to learn chess."
-- Mr. R. Tumkur, Rockville, MD
 Tubing on Seneca Creek Full Day Program, June, 2006 C&O-FCC
 At Cunningham Falls Full Day Program, June, 2006 C&O-FCC

"At the Top," Sugarloaf Mountain Full Day Program, August, 2005 C&O-FCC

A "motley crew," Week 8 Campers Morning Program, August, 2008 C&O-FCC
|