Think back to when you first learned to play chess. Did your mother or father teach you? Maybe a grandparent? Over the years I’ve heard many wonderfully warm stories about people’s first introduction to chess. Those memories are cherished through adulthood, as chess is truly a bonding experience.
My father taught me to play chess when I was 9 years old. I was fascinated by the chess boards set up all around the living room, each displaying a different position. I was so eager to learn. My father loved something called postal chess, where he would play people from far away exotic lands through the mail. Most of his opponents lived in Russia, so it took months for each move to arrive. It was always an exciting day when that postcard arrived with its intriguing stamps. It held the mysterious code known only to chess players, informing my father of the next move.
I quickly fell in love with the game and when I beat my father for the first time I quickly made the decision to try out tournaments. Although Dad was more interested in postal chess than over the board play, he joined me in my first chess tournament, so that I wouldn’t be alone. Now the first thing I noticed, in that small Connecticut tournament, was that I was the only girl and the only child. A little intimidating, but Dad was there, so it was okay. I soon became engrossed in my games, throwing myself into the battle, eager to conquer my opponent, forgetting that the odds were stacked against me. I’m not sure who was more surprised and excited, my father or I, when I won second place.
As an adult I spent a year traveling around the country playing in chess tournaments. When I attended the NY Open, Dad came up on the train from Connecticut to watch me play. After each game we would talk about the high and low points, analyzing my play, sometimes disagreeing about my strategies (especially when I chose to sacrifice a chess piece for a dubious attack).
Of course most people do not get into competition play, but it is still an amazingly bonding experience. Whether you take a set on family camping trips or out to the beach or just stay home and have family time after dinner there is nothing like chess for bringing a family together.
In this day and age with television and video games, wouldn’t it be wonderful to see families playing chess with one another? And just imagine for a moment what heights our children can reach if they gain the self confidence chess victories bring.
For some of you parents out there the first step may be to learn how to play yourself. It isn’t hard to learn the rules and you can learn some fundamental strategies in an hour or two if you have someone to teach you. If your child knows how to play, have him or her teach you. If neither knows, consider looking for a chess instructor or finding a good chess book or chess software for beginners.
This article was written by Chess Instructor Laura Sherman, of YourChessCoach.com. Your Chess Coach is devoted to teaching chess to children of all ages, giving them the many life skills that the game offers.
If you would like to ask Laura a question about chess, you can ask the question in the comment space below, leave your email, and Laura will respond directly to you.
Here’s a great video showing a 5 year-old teaching a 2 year-old how to play chess and recognize chess pieces. You might take note of the lovely looking Green Vinyl Chess Board. If you can’t seem to find yourself a chess instructor – maybe this young guy can help you out!
This playful chess video can be found on YouTube and was provided by YourChessCoach.com.
Many children learn to play chess at home. You, the parent, teach them how to move their chess pieces, set up the chess board and begin play. Depending on your skill level these lessons may be rudimentary, but know they are invaluable. You have started him down an exciting path. Inevitably he will venture off and play others in school or perhaps even take lessons. As this happens expect him to come home one day and beat you. As he continues to learn and expand his knowledge those victories may become commonplace.
How you handle these losses will determine your child’s future in chess.
If you are upset in any way your child will probably give up playing chess rather than risk hurting you again. Count on that. If you are elated and proud, you will give him the greatest win of his life. Just try to stop him now!
When your child is trouncing you consistently, that is the time to allow him to teach you something about the game. Yes, it may involve swallowing your pride a little to allow your cute little 9-year-old child to show you the ropes of this ancient game, but you will actually be continuing his instruction in the best way possible. And he will in fact be able to help you improve your game.
When anyone is given the opportunity to teach someone else a skill, their ability improves in that area. Teaching is a powerful way to learn. Breaking down a subject so that someone else can grasp it involves a challenging process that brings about a greater understanding for the teacher. It is truly a way to master a subject.
As a chess instructor, I’ve come to discover that many parents have a limited knowledge of chess: some parents were taught by their parents to play chess, while others learned from a two-page instructional sheet they got from a recently purchased chess set. Needless to say there are some misconceptions and missing information, which, if not corrected, could be passed down to younger generations learning chess. For example:
You can capture the king. NO! You never take the king off the board. Checkmate is the only way to win (unless your opponent gives up). Checkmate simply means the king is in danger and can’t get out of it by any means.
A pawn can only be promoted to a piece that has been captured. NO! You can promote a pawn into anything but a king. You may have multiple queens on the board! Some chess sets provide you with two queens, but if yours doesn’t simply flip a captured rook over and voila you have a queen.
Congratulations on having a brilliant chess champ in your family! Their victories on the board will translate into life wins, which will carry forward into adulthood. Remember your child’s victories are in fact yours.
Editor’s Note: Wholesale Chess offers a number of chess sets perfect for beginning chess players, many of which include two queens and a missing piece replacement guarantee.
This article was written by Chess Instructor Laura Sherman, of YourChessCoach.com. Your Chess Coach is devoted to teaching chess to children of all ages, giving them the many life skills that the game offers. You can learn more about Laura at YourChessCoach.com.
If you would like to ask Laura a question about chess, you can ask the question in the comment space below, leave your email, and Laura will respond directly to you.
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