
Admiration and Failure
I have always admired people, young and old, who can play the game of Chess. Throughout my life, I have heard the many benefits of playing this strategic game. Also, people who play Chess seem intelligent to me.
Honestly, I have tried three times to learn chess and failed. It was the time and energy it took to learn the name of the pieces and how they moved. I would read or watch online videos about the game and eventually become bored.
Grandma’s Inspiration
The idea of tackling Chess again came from my mother. One of her gifts for my son’s third Christmas was a Chess game. It was the same cycle again.
I read the book that came with the game she gave my son and I got bored. Additionally, I thought my son was too young to learn the game. However, in the back of my mind, I knew Chess would be a game that he would like because it challenges the brain.
My Bright Idea
My decision was to wait until he got a little older to introduce him to the game.
My future plan was to take him to some type of community program that would teach him how to play Chess. Then, maybe I would learn through him. This was a win-win situation!
The Solution
It wasn’t until one night while skimming Facebook, I saw an advertisement for Story Time Chess. After seeing the advertisement’s picture of young kids playing chess with their parents, I wanted to learn more. On the website, I saw these words, “A revolutionary new game that lets you teach your child how to play chess as young as the age of 3!”
It is revolutionary because it teaches kids to play through fun stories with colorful diverse characters instead of rules. Each piece has a story about how it moves. Each piece holds a character’s picture from their story which allows children to visually connect it to the chess board and understand how to play.
Another helpful aspect of Story Time Chess is each story is concluded with a mini game that reinforces how the pieces move.
Our Experience
We love it! My four-year-old son and I learned how to play chess within a week and a half of opening the game! He was highly motivated to learn because of the engaging stories and pieces in the game. We currently play almost daily. Sometimes, he wins and other times I am the victor.
Watch the two videos below of my son and I playing chess. The first video is footage of us playing a game. The second one shows my son winning against me in the game of Chess.
Below I will answer frequently asked questions parents have about Chess. It will be through the lens of our experience.
What age can a child learn chess?
The programs that I have researched in my local area start teaching kids chess at the age of seven. However, I have seen kids learn chess as young as five-years-old. My son learned how to play through Story Time Chess as a four-year-old. However, if I’d known about this game earlier, our starting age would have been three.
If your kids love fun engaging stories with colorful characters, they can learn at an early age.
What is the easiest way to play chess?
Of course you know the easiest way for us to play chess was to learn through Story Time Chess. We learned how the pieces moved in this order: king, pawns, knights, rooks, bishops, and queen. There were mini games at the end of each story that gave us a hands-on perspective on how each piece moved.
The best way to learn is be consistent with playing. It is important to learn the basic steps first and then take it a step further by learning various strategies.
We play daily which helps to hone our skills and learn new strategies.
What Chess teaches?
Chess teaches children so many important skills. I will concentrate on three skills below.
Chess teaches kids problem solving skills. During our games, my son spends time concentrating on how to keep his king safe while capturing mine. I can see him thinking about and planning his next move.
It also increases your child’s creatively. There is one piece my son loves to use when capturing my king. When I take that piece away from him, he has to be creative and think outside the box to win the game.
Chess has improved my son’s memory and observation skills. I use a particular strategy to win games against him. One day, I noticed he began to remember my first three moves while playing. He told me what the moves were and asked why I always did that. Then he developed some strategy to counter my moves. Amazing!
Try Story Time Chess! Be persistent and play with your child often!
Have fun Playing!
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I can’t wait until my little get’s a little older so I can teach him Chess!
Chess is a great game for kids to learn! I love your enthusiasm!
This is a great post! Not only did I wonder if my daughter is old enough to learn (she is 6) but this is a perfect educational game that should be taught. This is a great way to learn. Thank you for this!
No problem! I am glad you found this helpful!
My husband was actually in chess club in school… ;)… he would get the biggest kick out of using this to teach our kiddos the game!
I wish I would have learned at a young age. Thank you for your comment!
I have always wanted to learn how to play chess. I need to read that book and learn so I can play with my husband.
The Story Time Chess was the only way I could learn! It is a great product.
Wow. I never would have thought that the average pre-school aged kid could remember all of the different chess piece moves, but this proves that it can be done. Such a good game to learn strategy and decision-making skills.
Yes it is a great game. Story Time Chess helps young kids learn the game. Thank you for your comment.
I am glad I ran across this post! I have a 6 yr old grand daughter and I was wondering if I could teach her to play chess!
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Oh good!! I’m so glad you found this helpful!
Chess is a good game for teaching strategy and for developing problem solving skills. There is even a nonprofit organization that uses chess to help kids. It’s called Chess in the Schools. Have you heard of it?
Chess is such a powerful brain game. What a cool way to teach them. I love this.
Thank you for your comment. Yes is a great game for the brain.
No I have never heard of it. I will look into it. Thank you for the information.
Great Blog! So glad you enjoyed Story Time Chess
Thank you Tyler!
This is super cool and good to know. I have no clue when it comes to chess so I couldn’t even teach my kids if I tried but this might be the ticket!
Yes this is the key to teach kids Chess if you don’t know how to play! I highly recommend this game!