18 May 12
Probably I will be proposed to teach chess to kids at local school. I am only FIDE 1640 and don't feel like it is a suitable level for teaching somebody. On another hand I am curious and would like to try and do my best with the help of books and software. May be I'll start and then if some kids become too advanced I can find somebody in my chess club to train them further. What do you think?
18 May 12
Originally posted by iruHello Iru,
Probably I will be proposed to teach chess to kids at local school. I am only FIDE 1640 and don't feel like it is a suitable level for teaching somebody. On another hand I am curious and would like to try and do my best with the help of books and software. May be I'll start and then if some kids become too advanced I can find somebody in my chess club to train them further. What do you think?
I want to encourage you to take this up. And don't worry about your grade. First of all most pupils will learn the game there. Then you don't need to be able to beat all of them. If you have a prodigy you still can try to find out if there are things to be developed.
Have fun und success!
18 May 12
Originally posted by ketchuploverPrimers by Lasker, Capablanka, Fischer, Averbakh. Some more modern books. Databases with elementary tactics. I remember seeing on the web some books on methodology of training kids.
What materials do you have? Good luck and please keep us informed. Thank you.
Anyway I don't plan to just follow one manual - will pick from here and there things that I like most.
19 May 12
1 edit
Originally posted by iruI was mid-1400s USCF when I started coaching my son's elementary team when he was in third grade. I've been a paid coach for several years now, offer private lessons in my area, and have coached state champions. My son is 21 and my rating is over 1900 USCF. The team that I've coached since 2000 had its best result at our state championship in 2004 when I was ~1550.
Probably I will be proposed to teach chess to kids at local school. I am only FIDE 1640 and don't feel like it is a suitable level for teaching somebody. On another hand I am curious and would like to try and do my best with the help of books and software. May be I'll start and then if some kids become too advanced I can find somebody in my chess club to train them further. What do you think?
NY Public Schools has high standards, and they want their coaches above 1650. Chess Emporium in Phoenix hires professional coaches at 1600 and above. If you are 1640 USCF, you are certainly qualified.
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19 May 12
Originally posted by WulebgrIts also worth mentiong that the role of the coach is not entirely chess-related. There's etiquette, team strategy, sportsmanship, etc.
I was mid-1400s USCF when I started coaching my son's elementary team when he was in third grade. I've been a paid coach for several years now, offer private lessons in my area, and have coached state champions. My son is 21 and my rating is over 1900 USCF. The team that I've coached since 2000 had its best result at our state championship in 2004 when I was ...[text shortened]... es professional coaches at 1600 and above. If you are 1640 USCF, you are certainly qualified.
One example - When my 8-man high school chess team went to the state team championship our first year, the coach and I (I was team captain) had our hands full just handling the nerves of our younger team members, at least one of which had never been on an overnight trip without a relative. I don't think our coach ever imagined that one of his key duties would be making a run to the drugstore for Kaopectate or staying up with a lonely kid at midnight.
29 May 12
Originally posted by iruOne day they might get so advanced that they get around to teaching you...! My son often teaches me and he's started teaching another one of his old coaches who many moons ago used to teach him.
Probably I will be proposed to teach chess to kids at local school. I am only FIDE 1640 and don't feel like it is a suitable level for teaching somebody. On another hand I am curious and would like to try and do my best with the help of books and software. May be I'll start and then if some kids become too advanced I can find somebody in my chess club to train them further. What do you think?
www.teacher4u.info
07 Jun 12
Originally posted by iruI suggest a metal ruler across the knuckles when they play bad moves, that'll learn 'em. 🙂
Probably I will be proposed to teach chess to kids at local school. I am only FIDE 1640 and don't feel like it is a suitable level for teaching somebody. On another hand I am curious and would like to try and do my best with the help of books and software. May be I'll start and then if some kids become too advanced I can find somebody in my chess club to train them further. What do you think?
07 Jun 12
And never let your low grade (if you have one) or playing strngth put you off.
I was once reminded of this quote:
GMs are so far removed in playing strength from [lower] classed players
that their advice is often misguided. For the same reason that
a university mathematics professor will probably not be able to
teach addition as well as a first grade teacher, a GM will probably
not be able to teach the basics of chess as effectively as a
pedagogically inclined player who is much weaker. – Michael de la Maza.
I replied I did not know what 'pedagogically' means.
Does it mean I have a limp?
09 Jun 12
Originally posted by greenpawn34Surprisingly, M. de la Maza is correct on this point more or less. However, elsewhere in his rhetoric he carries his "insight" far beyond all reason and makes recommendations for training for class players that had led many to spend countess hours on tactics without significant improvement.
And never let your low grade (if you have one) or playing strngth put you off.
I was once reminded of this quote:
GMs are so far removed in playing strength from [lower] classed players
that their advice is often misguided. For the same reason that
a university mathematics professor will probably not be able to
teach addition as well as a fir ...[text shortened]... la Maza.
I replied I did not know what 'pedagogically' means.
Does it mean I have a limp?
The more important point in this thread, however, is that 1640 USCF means the player understands the sort of fundamentals one needs for teaching beginners. Such a player will not teach incorrect board or place placement, obscure ancient discarded rules, en passant with knights, the importance of developing your rooks early via 1.h4 2.Rh3, or any of a host of other sorts of nonsense.
When I run into beginners who are afraid to castle because their teacher explained that it was a mistake that increases the vulnerability of the king, I know their teacher was not a B Class tournament player.