Welcome to the beginners class. This class will teach your child the game rules as well as the most elementary strategy and tactics. All the material used in this class has been written for 1st grade and above and I highly recommend both student and parent go over each lesson. Chess is a great game that will last a lifetime and is a terrific way to bond with your child. Don't worry if your child makes mistakes and don't be afraid to admit to your own mistakes when playing your child. Explain that chess is an argument, a friendly argument that is settled peacefully and in a fun way. Very few games can boast of so many similarities to life it’s self. For over forty years I have been discovering new ones almost every day. The enjoyment and boundless variety of emotions the game of chess has given to me is a reward that I will never trade it in for anything.
If your child is falling behind I would like to make the following suggestions. For learning the rules, and how the pieces move, spend an hour a day on a single piece. If they are having trouble remembering how a particular piece moves I suggest a game with pawns and that particular piece. For Knights try the Knight’s Tour. And for Pawns try “Snail, Snail”. After they have mastered the individual pieces (and even if they have not) I suggest playing as often as possible. Even blundering through a mistake filled game is a learning experience.
There are several places to play if you are unable to provide a partner at home. And the best part is the fact you don’t have to leave home. The Internet Chess Club (ICC) www.chessclub.com is the safest place to play for free as a guest. For a small fee of $29 your child can play as a registered player and get further instruction as well as the benefit of playing other registered Think Chess Players who are on the ICC. The chats are monitored when an adult is speaking to a minor and of course chatting can be turned off or limited to Think Chess kids and coaches. Just send me an email and I will be happy to walk you through the settings. Yahoo games, AOL, Google and many other servers and providers offer free chess but you will only be able to play and have no control over the content.
There are several Chess Playing Programs for the PC and Mac. Though the PC has the best and a greater variety. Follow the links to see what I recommend.
Good Luck! Below is all the handouts for the beginner's class.