Chess--how do I help my son learn when I'm hopeless?

[She Reads a Lot]

I'm looking for learning to play chess resources (books, Web sites, things like the WinterPromise "Knight in the King's Court" program--is it worth the $99?) plus suggestions for a good affordable board and any other tips.

 

I am so bad that my 12 year old just beat me playing at a bookstore! So really, this is to help both of us learn. We are both beginners--just know how the pieces move. No idea beyond that.

[Tranquility7]

ChessKid.com! You can both get free accounts and play loads of games on there. But even better, you can get a membership for half-price through Homeschool Buyers Co-op ($25/yr then!) and get access to a lot of *excellent* instructional videos and puzzles and such.

[sbgrace]

No Stress Chess is good for learning the way the pieces move if he needs truly beginning instruction. You can play with him without knowing anything, and you'll learn too. That's how we started.

Then my son joined chess kid mentioned above and was on his way to improved skills.

[cmarthur]

No stress chess is really good for beginners. It is also fun for those that know how to play... frustrating but fun.

[Ausmumof3]

I'm looking for learning to play chess resources (books, Web sites, things like the WinterPromise "Knight in the King's Court" program--is it worth the $99?) plus suggestions for a good affordable board and any other tips.

 

I am so bad that my 12 year old just beat me playing at a bookstore! So really, this is to help both of us learn. We are both beginners--just know how the pieces move. No idea beyond that.

There are free iPad games that have various levels of difficulty with the opponents. They are free too.

[SoCal_Bear]

Chess Academy for Kids is a really good app. It's paid, but it's a good app for beginners. Very systematic introduction to chess. This is a free version you can test out first. 

 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chess-academy-for-kids-free/id547726555?mt=8

 

 

 

[MerryAtHope]

Timberdoodle has a fun program that my son really enjoyed. I forget what it's called--but check it out on their site. He'll learn a lot from it.

[Ellie]

Your local library probably has many books on chess. Go check 'em out. That's what I did when I was in high school. :-)

 

Did you know that "Through the Looking Glass" is a chess game? The moves are listed in the front of the book. It's kind of fun to try to recreate them. :-)

Edited May 21, 2016 by Ellie

[PeterPan]

My dd enjoyed the Fritz & Chesster computer games.  Solitaire Chess is fun in a different sort of way.  

 

At the homeschool conventions they usually sell boards that roll up.  

[Another Lynn]

Chessmaster is another computer program my kids learned a lot from (in addition to Fritz & Chesster).  

[Jane Elliot]

See if your library has a community chess club. Our library is tiny, but we found out that a small group of older men was getting together on Saturday mornings to play chess. When ds first began going, he was the only person there under the age of 68. This group of older men seemed to really enjoy having a younger learner to mentor, and ds developed his chess passion in this gentle, nurturing environment. 

[Jane Elliot]

This is our favorite set. We have a few.

[EKT]

Not sure if this is helpful, but my local library has a chess club that meets twice per month (and is free). We don't happen to participate, but I see the club's fliers at the library all the time. It's a popular pursuit, so it might be worth it for you to look into something similar in your community (at your library or another venue). Either way, a club would be a great way for your child could play against other skilled players (likely for free) and you wouldn't have to do a thing! Good luck!

[HomeAgain]

There is a movie on Netflix called A Little Game that helps to bring the pieces and their moves to life - you and your son might enjoy watching it. :)  It's about a girl at a new school who finds parallels in her life between the game and the people/places around her.

My youngest has gone through quite a few chess tutorials.  Our most recent for next year is called A Programmed Introduction To The Game Of Chess.  The pages are set up so that you can have a teacher ask the questions or cover the sidebar with a piece of paper.  It starts out at the very beginning (learning piece names) but goes further than the children's books/programs we've done.

 

Our favorite learning board is like this: Worldwise Imports Tournament Board.  Ours rolls up and has a bag for the pieces, but they're large enough for small hands to grip and we don't have to worry about it getting ruined by taking it places. 

[Trivium Pursuit]

I agree with prior posters that chesskid.com is a fantastic resource for beginners.   If you have an ipad, chessimo is a terrific app.   If your state has a chess association (very likely), the website should provide information on clubs (usually always free) as well as local scholastic tournaments which is a great way to connect with other kids interested in chess. 

[LucyStoner]

I suggest books and a club. There's really no substitute for playing with others.

 

My son's favorite chess book when he was learning was published by Usboune but I do not recall the title. He lived to set up the trickiest end games they printed and try to work them all out.

[LucyStoner]

Oops double post

Edited May 22, 2016 by LucyStoner

[Tsuga]

Can you find local players? There is chess at our local mall. It's free. The quality varies.

[mommaduck]

My kids play the app version on our computer. It has a learning setting. Big kid also plays little kid. Let's put it this way, the recently turned five year old often creates a draw with her sixteen year old brother and has occasionally won.

[JennSnow]

Chess mom chiming in here, lol.

The best way to learn and improve is to play, play, play!  Seek out local chess clubs, classes, or gatherings :).  

Learn and practice all of the basic rules and etiquette (how the pieces move, how to castle, en passant, shaking hands before and after, playing touch-move, etc..).

Learn the "value" of each of the pieces (pawns = 1, knights and bishops = 3, rooks = 5, queen = 9)

Learn how to take notation and to record your games.

Study and practice the basic "rules" for the beginning, middle, and endgame.  This link provides an excellent list of guidelines!

http://www.chessdryad.com/education/sageadvice/thirty/

After you've done all of the above and are ready to deepen your understanding and skill level there are some great resources available!

https://www.chess.com is a website where you can sign up for free and play games (either live online games or correspondence type games), practice tactics, study openings, watch instructional videos, etc..

http://chesstempo.com is a free tactics server where you can practice tactics.

http://www.chessmagnetschool.com is a place which teaches chess concepts and principles at a customized rate.

Happy chessing! :)

 

Edited May 22, 2016 by JennSnow

[Targhee]

Solitaire Chess game

[Jane Elliot]

I posted this in another current thread, but I originally went looking for the link for the op in this thread. I didn't know how to play chess when I sat down to teach my eldest four kids. I can't remember where I first heard about the method of learning one piece at a time, but it worked for both me and my kids. "Pawn Parade" on page 19 of this free pdf is the first game we played. eta: I know the op already knows how the pieces move etc. Intermediate help begins around page 34.

 

http://www.uiltexas.org/files/capitalconference/Randolph-TeachingChesstheEasyFunWaywithMiniGames.pdf

Edited May 22, 2016 by Jane Elliot

[aprilleigh]

I play, but I'm not particularly good at it. I taught him the basics and then we moved on to books I picked up at the library to challenge both of us. I also bought a decent chess for kids book for him for Christmas. Next on our list is a better chess set. We were given a glass set, and we have a small cheap plastic set, but I'd prefer a tournament set. At this point he's got me convinced it will be worth it.