Start and Improve Our Chess Journey
No.
At least not at the beginning.
Each player learns a different way.
But there is a common theme. All players need to play more to improve.
Specific training methods can be discussed with a coach, but without playing. None of the training will matter.
Play more. And then we can build momentum to improve.
Chess can be really frustrating, especially if kids are stuck in a losing streak.
But don’t worry! Remember that all strong players had experienced losing streaks. Happens to the best.
Here are some tips on how to deal with it:
Remember that chess isn’t just a game of winning and losing, it’s a game of learning and enjoying the process. Embrace the challenge and have fun playing!
This is the wrong question to ask.
The more important question is whether they enjoy playing chess.
It’s hard to detect talent for new chess players, and it doesn’t matter much at the beginning.
For majority of the scholastic players, it’s better to focus on if they are interested in chess.
What are the indicators for chess interests? Here are a few.
If you see any of the above indicators, then your kid likes chess. Now the job is to nurture their interest and build momentum to help them improve further
In Theory There Is No Difference Between Theory and Practice, In Practice There Is
The famous Yogi Berra quote couldn’t be more true for chess improvements.
I remember being a kid in China and my coach always telling me to train if I wanted to improve chess.
That was in the 1990’s, and there was not many options to play.
Today we live in a completely different world. Playing games online and in person is often the most important factor for a rewarding chess journey.
While training is necessary – it turns out that PLAYING rated games is actually the best way to get better.
Let me explain why.
Playing a rated game and seeing opponent’s clock ticking while you’re attacking is a thrilling experience. And no amount of lessons or puzzles will ever replicate that adrenaline.
Real game actions are how kids learn. They experiment, make mistakes and figure out ways to adjust.
I have seen many kids answer questions correctly during class, but make the exact mistake when they play a game.
Why does that happen? Lack of practical experiences.
When kids play, they learn faster and retain more because it engages more of their senses and emotions. They’re having fun, it encourages training and improvement.
Training should follow playing.
So if you want your kids to get better at chess – stop training without playing. Start have them playing in rated games. You’ll be amazed at the results.
No, if you don’t want to.
But if you enjoy PLAYING chess, then it can be fun to learn and play with your kid.
Let me elaborate.
First, for the parents who don’t want to learn.
Your kids is not missing out. Many parents of strong players did not know how to play chess.
They supported their kids in other ways.
Taking care of logistics for tournaments and trainings, finding chess coaches and friends, or simply being supportive by asking ‘did you have fun’ after a game.
Supporting your kid outside of chess is always the main job for you whether you enjoy playing chess or not.
Now for the parents who want learn.
It’s fun to learn chess with your kid if you enjoy the game too.
However, there is a caveat. Many chess parents complain that they know what’s not working, but their kids will not listen.
The solution is simple (although not easy). You have to play too (online or in tournaments). Have you heard of the term Monday-Morning Quarterback?
If you don’t play for any reason, and you want to give pointers to your kids about how they should play, that’s what I call Monday-Morning Chess Parent.
Only when you join the chess actions, will you find out the nerves that go through a chess player during a game.
Only with these experiences (sometimes from painful losses), will you earn the ‘authoritative’ voice in chess.
Is it too late for my kid to start chess?
It’s a question I get all the time, and the answer is simple. No, it’s never too late.
Chess is a game that can be learned at any age.
Younger kids (3-6 years old) may get a head-start as they get early reps, older kids (7-10 years old) easily catches up by having gained more logical development.
Even if your kid is starting later than some of their peers, they can still make great strides and improve faster.
Here are a few tips to help your kid get up to speed:
At the end of the day, it’s never too late for your kid to learn chess. With the right guidance and a positive attitude, your child can be a great player in no time.