Learn Chess@Shivaji

Learning the Chess ABC or Chess kindergarten

(This is a good introduction to Chess and is even ok for the age group 3-6 years)

It is quite possible for kids as young as 3 or 4 years to get a starting knowledge of chess. Contrary to popular belief that they need to be at least 5-6 years, the modern methods of visually introducing the game with animations and graphics works wonders. 

 

A very nice way to let the kid learn this in a fun and animated way with cartoons is use the ChessKing Chess Year 1 course. Check this example and you will understand. 

Even a 3yr old kid can start learning .. today!!

(You don't even have to be registered on the site to check the previews. And of course, registration is free)

Here is a my approach to teaching Chess (for those who are familiar with the basic rules and are comfortable moving pieces accurately and playing a full game) - it is based on the renowned Russian method.

Basics/Starting Chess (L1 Level)

Firstly, it is very important to know the rules of the game clearly and exactly. This includes castling, check and mate, stalemates, drawing rules, en passant etc.

Then, it is crucial to get a proper understanding of the movement of the pieces - pawns, knights, bishops, rooks, queen and the King! Not just the obvious moves but the intricacies and the board geometry. 

Also, it is important to get an introduction to the notation of the chessboard and the language of chess. 

[Of course, a more detailed understanding is required as you go to the next level L2]

For kids of 5yrs to 7 yrs age, this has to be taught mostly by the parents themselves as they do not yet have the ability to remain focused beyond 10-15 mins in a class session. 

When two beginners play, there are huge number of mistakes on both sides - pawns, pieces, even Queen is left undefended and sometimes not noticed by the opponent. Even after winning a Queen or Rook of the opponent, the game goes seesaw as a beginner is unable to convert a winning advantage (even a Queen plus)  into an actual win. Beginners may not know how to checkmate - even a lone king using Queen or Rooks or two Bishops.  

So, at the L1 level, I recommend:

• To get a good vision to notice when the opponent's pieces are undefended or when your pieces are left undefended 

Good practice with puzzles/positions in noticing and doing these free captures (where one side can simply win a piece or a pawn for free)

• Understand the basic mating patterns and start to notice them on the board

Practice with "Mate-in-1" positions - where in a give position, you are to play and checkmate the opponent in 1 move

 

For studying chess systematically at your own pace, I wholeheartedly recommend the apps and courses from ChessKing - a company founded by strong Russian GMs and IMs. It has top quality content, beautifully organized and presented for self-learning and also allowing you to measure yourself at every step along the way.

(By the way, It is not just for self-study. I use ChessKing extensively for both myself as well as for my students. You will find me as a Trainer on ChessKing. If you are interested, you can request to become a student there. When you are a student, I can see and monitor the progress as well as give out assignments and tasks) 

The basic course for L1 level (and ok for Kids beyond 6 years to even adults for that matter) is Chess School for Beginners

I will write a separate page on how to use the ChessKing courses effectively and all the features and capabilities and the way to utilize these. These will become important as you go to level 2.

The wonderful thing about ChessKing is that they have the exact same course available on both mobiles  (android as well as iOS) as well as the web-browser (chrome, safari, IE whatever). And once you login and link your id, you can play and continue from any of the 3 and see the progress updated on all channels.