This post is the first in a six-part series exploring the themes of our current Chess Quest. We are grateful to and inspired our friends at Acton Academy Oshkosh for sharing the inspiration and original spark for these reflections as we move across the board together.
The Power of the First Move
Imagine standing on the edge of a vast chessboard. The alternating black and white squares create a steady, silent rhythm under your feet. Across the board, you see the King... calm, observant, and patient.
But right in front of you are the Pawns. They are small, eager, and poised for action. One pawn inches forward just a single square. In the grand scheme of the game, it feels almost insignificant. Yet, that one small move is the catalyst for everything that follows.
At Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale, this is exactly how the Hero’s Journey begins. This past week marked the launch of our Chess Quest in the Discovery and Explore Studios. Our learners are finding themselves in the shoes (and squares) of the King and pawns, taking those first brave steps into new challenges, new friendships, and new systems of accountability.
Becoming the Game: Human Chess
This week, our studio didn't just study the board; we became the board. Through Human Chess, learners stepped into the roles of pawns and Kings. Some were even voted as Team Captains, the lead strategists responsible for navigating their entire team across the giant board.
Was it high-energy? Absolutely. Was it a challenge of character? Incredibly so.
The motto of the pawn is patience. One of our learners felt the weight of this lesson firsthand this week. She stepped forward to volunteer as Captain, but her peers chose another leader.
Frustrated, she felt the sting of being "just a pawn" and exclaimed, “I’m never going to be chosen!”
She wanted to lead and be recognized, but she wanted to jump to the end of the game without the experience of the opening moves. When we sat down to chat, we asked her what she thought made a great captain. She replied:
"Someone with lots of information, someone who is kind, and someone who everyone can trust."
She even pointed out fellow travelers who modeled those traits. In that moment, the realization clicked: she wasn't ready to be the King yet. She needed the experience of the pawn... learning the field, one square at a time, before she could carry the responsibility of the whole board.
The King’s Role: Stillness and Trust
While the learners are the pawns and the rising Captains are "Kings in training," where do we all fit in on this game of life like chess?
In this analogy, Guides and parents are the Kings. A King’s power isn't found in speed or control, but in stillness and trust. As "Kings," we don't rush the game or move the pieces for them. Our job is to hold the space, creating a safe environment where the pawns can step forward.
Sometimes our learners will step into a risk that leads to a sacrifice; other times, they will find a path to success. Our role is to remain steady, trusting the process even when the "bigger play" seems obvious to us but invisible to them.
Moving Forward Together
Progress at Acton is rarely a giant leap. It is a series of deliberate, patient steps. Those moments where your learner feels "stuck" or overlooked are often the exact moments where their character is being forged.
As you navigate your own "life chessboard" this week, I invite you to walk like the King:
- Hold space for your child’s growth.
- Take it one step at a time, even when you see a faster move.
- Practice patience when a goal isn't met or a chore is forgotten.
What is one patient move you can make today to help your learner see their own next step?
Remember, every Grand Master began their journey exactly the same way: one square forward at a time.