Written by Laura Sherman of YourChessCoach.com
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.
