Chess Strategy For Kids - Teach Your Child How to Master Chess!

Chess is a game of strategy and intellect that has been enjoyed by people of all ages for centuries. It not only enhances critical thinking skills but also promotes creativity and problem-solving abilities. While many may perceive chess as a complex game, teaching it to kids can be a fun and rewarding experience.

So, if you want your child to learn chess and sharpen their strategic skills, this article will guide you through effective strategies and tips to make chess accessible and enjoyable for kids.

1. Start with the Basics

Before diving into complex chess strategies, it's important to familiarize kids with the fundamental rules and chess pieces. Begin by explaining how each piece moves, their values, and the objective of the game - capturing the opponent's king. Make sure to use visual aids and interactive resources to make it more engaging and comprehensible for young learners.

Chess Strategy for Kids (Chess for Kids)

by Thomas Engqvist (Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	52890 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	595 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

2. Teach Piece Coordination

In chess, mastering piece coordination is crucial for success. After kids have grasped the basics, introduce the concept of piece development - the idea of getting your pieces into active positions on the board. Encourage them to think strategically about the best squares for their pieces and how they can work together harmoniously.

Emphasize the importance of controlling the center of the board as it provides better mobility and opportunities for attacking and defending. Teach them how to develop their central pawns and knights early on to gain control over essential squares.

3. Break Down the Tactics

Chess is full of tactical maneuvers, which can be intriguing for kids. Introduce tactics like forks, pins, and skewers to help them understand how to exploit weaknesses in their opponent's position. Use puzzles and interactive exercises to allow them to practice these tactics and apply them in real-game scenarios.

Teach kids to identify hanging pieces (undefended pieces) and encourage them to capitalize on these opportunities. Explain concepts such as discovered attacks and double attacks, which can dramatically change the course of a game.

4. Cultivate Strategic Thinking

Once kids become more comfortable with the basics, it's time to introduce them to strategic ideas. Teach them about pawn structures and the importance of considering pawn breaks to create weaknesses in the opponent's position. Discuss concepts like open files, outposts, and king safety to help them formulate long-term plans.

Encourage them to think ahead and calculate possible moves, teaching them about predicting the consequences of their decisions. Help them understand the value of piece activity and trades, demonstrating how even a minor piece can have a significant impact on the game if utilized strategically.

5. Foster a Love for the Game

Make sure to keep chess fun and enjoyable for kids. Organize mini chess tournaments, puzzles, and friendly matches to boost their enthusiasm and allow them to apply their newfound skills. Praising their efforts and highlighting their progress can build their confidence and drive their passion for the game.

Additionally, introduce them to online resources and chess-playing platforms designed specifically for kids. These platforms often offer kid-friendly interfaces, interactive tutorials, and chess puzzles tailored to their age groups.

Chess can be a valuable educational tool for kids, promoting critical thinking, concentration, and strategic planning. By breaking down the game into easy-to-understand strategies and utilizing engaging teaching methods, you can help your child develop a lifelong love for chess while honing their cognitive abilities.

So, grab a chessboard and embark on an exciting journey of chess strategy for kids. Witness their skills grow and their passion for the game flourish as they navigate through the complexities of the chessboard.

Chess Strategy for Kids (Chess for Kids)

by Thomas Engqvist (Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	52890 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	595 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

So you have learned how to play chess, studied tactics and know some basic endgames and openings. What’s next?

The glue that binds it all together is strategy. By forming a good plan, chess-players seize strong points on the board and target the opponent’s weaknesses. Experienced player and teacher Thomas Engqvist shows that it all depends on logic that can be grasped by players of any age. He explains how to identify the right strategy in a wide range of typical situations. With his guidance, you will soon be finding good plans on your own – and then it will be time to demonstrate your tactical mastery!

He first teaches the importance of the central squares and the basics of pawn-play, before examining the role of each of the pieces and how they are affected by the pawn-structure. Finally we see how to use them together to launch attacks of many different types. You then get a chance to test your new strategic skills in 27 exercises, all with full solutions.

“Chess Strategy for Kids” provides a complete course that will help readers understand the potential of their pieces and play more purposefully in their games. Chess will stop feeling like a series of random events as you take command of your forces and direct them like a general in charge of an army.

Thomas Engqvist is an International Master from Sweden with more than three decades’ experience of international chess. He is a successful chess trainer and has also made notable contributions to chess theory. Engqvist is editor of the website schacksnack.se and teaches at a school in the Stockholm area.

“simplifies some chess concepts in a manner that a modern reader can understand and appreciate. ... the author clearly shows he understood Nimzowitsch and knows how to convey Nimzowitsch’s ideas, but he does it in an easier and more appealing fashion. ... I also found the graphics absolutely exhilarating. They show typical chess ideas in a stunning fashion, which makes them easy to remember, especially for the amateur. I think this book can be a nice gift for children who are interested in improving, or for adults who would like to know more about the game but don’t want to deal with some boring authors of the past who ... didn’t treat the topic in an entertaining manner.” - Davide Nastasio, georgiachessnews.com