Teaching a five year old to play chess.

Originally posted by AThousandYoung
There is a set made especially for your objective. It only has five files and one of each piece. It probably also has ideas on how to teach a kid. I don't know who makes it.

If I were going to do it with a regular set, I'd start by teaching him how to move the pieces of course. First the King, then the Rooks and Bishops, then the Queen, then ...[text shortened]... o pick up an opening repetoire (sp?).

Don't pressure him to play when he gets bored of it.

the set that thousand young was referring to is "quick learn chess" made by amerigames international on www.interplay.co.uk that seems like the best way to teach to me it comes as a full set with a five file board and eight file board.😀

I believe that such 'simplified' boards are a waste of time for average- to high-IQ kids. We tend to underestimate their abilities, and behave very surprised when 'geniuses' become experts very early. It is like with learning foreign languages. Young age is the best period to learn them - and it does not have negative effect on the mother tongue.

My conclusion: let them watch games, play games, have them exercise tactics, etc.... just like adults. And be afraid, very afraid of how fast they will beat you ....

Originally posted by flexmore
How should i do it?
He is interested ... he sees me play and wants to learn .... but i don't know where to start.

should i set them up as at the start of a game? - then he has to learn how all the pieces move at once.

should i just let him have all the pieces and i only have a king?

should we both have just pawns and no pieces?

??????