Discovery Center at Stony Point™ is Richmond’s only dedicated Chess + STEAM hub designed for kids 3+.
We’re built to transform curiosity into confidence and community. We teach the whole world of chess—history and heroes, art and design, tech & AI tools, strategy as a sport, and real competition—through immersive, station-rotation labs and our Legacy Play approach.
From after-school chess and school leagues to tournaments and summer camps, we help young learners discover, learn, and level up faster—right here at Stony Point Fashion Park.
CLUB
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Ages 5–12, grouped by level: Beginners, Bridge/Intermediate, Advanced. New and returning players welcome. 4 year olds welcome with consultation
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Register online; choose your level at checkout. We place by skill, not age—coaches may adjust levels to ensure the best fit.
NOTE: Follow Our Socials and Website Updates Closely or Call Before Arriving (804-372-0921) due to our seasonal calendar and community events that may impact hours.
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Weekend chess club with instruction, coached open play, and progression toward play confidence and/or tournament readiness.
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Beginners Class — 10:00–10:50 AM · rules, piece power, check/checkmate basics
Bridge / Intermediate (Open Play + Light Coaching) — 11:00–11:50 AM · coached games, tactics, confidence
Advanced (Open Play + Light Coaching) — 12:00–1:00 PM · strategy, endgames, tournament skills
Extended Hours (Coming in January) — 1:30–2:30 PM · free play, ladders, puzzles, analysis
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Discovery Center at Stony Point™ (Stony Point Fashion Park, Richmond, VA).
Find us next to Dillards and Cinebistro
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Because confidence grows where curiosity leads. Atomic Knights lives inside Richmond’s only dedicated Chess + STEAM center designed for kids 3+, built for discovery at every level. We turn chess into Legacy Play—a wonder-driven path where kids develop strategy, focus, and resilience inside a welcoming community, so every move connects them to bigger thinking and their people.
LEAGUE
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Grades 2–12 across Henrico, Richmond, and Chesterfield (public, private, and homeschool co-ops). Players are grouped by skill—not age—so everyone competes on a fair board.
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Start a School Club: We provide a turnkey starter kit (club charter, coach guide, training ladder, matchday templates).
Join the League: Teams or individuals register; we place by skill for the right fit.
Membership: $350/year per student (includes league polo, monthly meets, ratings, and club newsletter). Title I & district sponsorship options available.
Coaching & Training: Access to structured practice blocks, progression tracks, and monthly performance reports.
Competition: Monthly meets at the Center; optional in-house tournaments and simuls to stretch competitive muscles.
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A season-based league that blends club practices + monthly match days. We help schools start and support clubs, then bring everyone together for friendly, structured competition. Divisions run from emerging to elite, with clear pathways for growth (Basics → Tactics → Strategy → Elite → Chess for Athletes).
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Winter (Dec–Feb) · Spring (Mar–May)
League practice blocks available Mon/Wed/Thu, 4:00–7:00 PM at the Center; monthly meets at the Center (full calendar published pre-season) -
Discovery Center at Stony Point™ (Stony Point Fashion Park, Richmond, VA).
Find us next to Dillards and Cinebistro
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Because chess is a sport—and a pathway. The League is Richmond’s hub where school communities plug into Legacy Play: a wonder-driven environment that builds confidence, discipline, and team identity. Players level up faster when they train with intention, play regularly, and belong to a supportive chess ecosystem.
LABS
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Grades 1–8, placed by skill (not age). Great for brand-new players through tournament-ready kids.
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Register online and note experience level. We place by skill, rotate through stations weekly, and track progress on our Basics → Tactics → Strategy → Elite pathway.
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An immersive, rotating lab experience that moves students through focused stations each session—so they learn by doing, not sitting. Labs are hands-on and paced for attention, mastery, and momentum inside Richmond’s only dedicated Chess + STEAM center designed for kids 3+. Stations rotate to cover the full game:
Origin & History – stories, classic games, opening ideas
Tech & AI – engines, analysis, Chessnut EVO boards
GOAT Lab – model plans from champions
Art & Design – visualization, themed boards, patterning
Level Up & Play – coached matches, tactics ladders
Open Book – puzzles, endgames, “what if?” scenarios
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Thursdays after school in structured blocks. Coaches adjust groupings to keep challenge and confidence in balance.
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Discovery Center at Stony Point™ (Stony Point Fashion Park, Richmond, VA).
Find us next to Dillards and Cinebistro
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Because we don’t just teach moves—we teach the world of chess. Our Labs take a comprehensive, whole-world approach: history and heroes, art and design, tech and AI tools, strategy and sportsmanship, community and competition. Inside Richmond’s only dedicated Chess + STEAM center for ages 3+, chess becomes Legacy Play—a connected learning ecosystem where kids build real skills, confidence, and belonging that travel far beyond the board.
Our Approach
We believe in nurturing each student’s unique chess journey by offering two clear paths: recreational play or competitive training.
Our approach is non-lecture based, encouraging hands-on, exploratory learning that appeals to multiple intelligences. We incorporate childhood learning methodologies that are inclusive of visual, kinesthetic, and auditory learning styles, ensuring every child can engage with the game in a meaningful way.
Our program supports neurodivergent learners, offering a flexible, personalized experience and an sensory friendly safe zone in our center. With technology integration and a focus on a growth mindset, we guide our students towards play confidence and the pursuit of developing critical life skills.
