Chess Merit Badge
Seven requirements, with the learner for requirement 3, the counselor's mate problems and the three routes through requirement 7 marked as the parts that need other people, and 4(a) notation drawn into the games that are replayed from score sheets.
8 steps (21 parts inside them). 3 parts depend on questions you have not answered yet. · Version 1, published 8 October 2026 · About Chess Merit Badge
No questions answered
This is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering the question at the address above takes out the parts that are not for you.
Which of this applies to you
You have not answered anything yet, so this is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering one question will take out the parts that are not for you.
Your progress
27 steps can be started now; 1 is waiting on something else.
Clear ticksYour ticks are kept in this browser, so they will still be here next time. They are in the address as well, so a link to this page carries them to another device.
The steps
Stage 1 of 8
1 step
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1. History of chess, and a famous player Requirement
Two discussions with your counselor.
Stage 2 of 8
1 step
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2. Why chess matters Requirement
Planning and strategy, what it builds in a player, and how to behave at the board.
Stage 3 of 8
1 step
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3. Show the basics, then teach someone who cannot play Often forgotten Requirement
Show your counselor the pieces, the setup, the moves and the draws, then teach a beginner using the Scouting EDGE method.
Stage 4 of 8
1 step
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4. Notation and the phases of a game Requirement
Scorekeeping, the opening, middle game and endgame, four openings and five short traps.
Stage 5 of 8
1 step
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5. Strategy, tactics and mates Requirement
Elements of strategy, named tactics, forced mates and a pawn ending from set positions, and five problems.
Stage 6 of 8
1 step
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6. How chess tournaments are run Requirement
Swiss and round robin formats, pairings, time controls, touch move, scoring and ratings.
Stage 7 of 8
1 step,
all ticked
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7. Play. Do ONE Requirement
The badge states the choice: three games, a scholastic tournament, or a tournament you organize.
7(b) depends on a scholastic tournament being held where and when you can play in it. 7(c) needs at least four other players and enough time for each to play at least two games. 7(a) is the one you can arrange yourself.
3 parts
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7(b). Play in a scholastic tournament, then replay your games Optional May not apply Often forgotten
Stage 8 of 8
1 step
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Counselor signs it off Milestone
The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.
Usually comes after 1. History of chess, and a famous player, 2. Why chess matters and 4 others.
Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.
This plan is a planning aid: the current Boy Scouts of America publication is always the authority, and the sources used here are listed in full. Each step names its own.