never knew

My dad tried to reach me chess when I was a kid. Then I had a kid. He also has interest in chess like my dad. Now i am finding addiction to it trying to learn to hopefully give them a good challenge one day. It has definitely helped communication between my and I.

Nice

"Playing Chess has many aspects that can be useful in everyday situations like planning, concentration and combinations.  You learn to win but also to lose and be creative."

                                                                                               Judit Polgar, Chess Grandmaster

Very cool that you've been able to connect with your son over chess.  I'm teaching my nephews and it's such a joy.

 

I try to share it but no one is interested when they are nowhere near your level. 

EKAFC I don't think this forum was made for people to boast about their "level". Teaching has nothing to do with your (online) rating.  You just don't know how to teach.  No one here is impressed. If you're at such a high level why are you trolling the beginners forum?

I wasn't trying to boast. It's just hard to really get them into it when the only person interested in playing is yourself. And it's hard to "give them a fair chance". It's not like basketball where they can get an open shot. 

 

On top of that, I never boasted about my level or try to put other beginners down. I only spoke about my personal experience and nothing else. I'm sorry to anyone who to it the wrong way

I was calling you out because I think you have much more to gain from and offer to this discussion. Your personal experience has nothing to do with your level, the kids just don't like chess and it might do you good to find out why.  Your situation is unfortunate since teaching chess can be more joyful than playing the game itself.  Rather than complain perhaps inquire about what we have done to keep young ones interested.  It may be as simple as changing the way you teach.  You are right it does no good to purposely lose because then you're teaching young ones bad chess, but punishing a child's bad moves only causes disinterest in the game.  When my nephews make bad moves I simply say "that's losing" ask them why and let them take back the move.  It's also about attitude, you have to display your very best sportsmanship to them or they won't want to play with you.  Keep in mind as well it's important to teach beginners the core concepts and fundamentals rather than the advanced techniques you know and they won't understand.  I also play the same setup opening every game with them and show them openings to fight against it. If you're observant enough you'll be able to see which openings they gravitate to and teach them them the main lines. I've found teaching takes just as much preparation as playing games and much more patience but for me it truly is a joy.  The best part is I'm spending more time with my nephews.  The author of this thread was celebrating how chess has brought her family closer.  Let's focus on how chess brings us together and strategies that can help more families strengthen their relationships.  Once I got my nephews a chess set their father started playing with them, and now it's expected that I play at least a few games with my brother in law when I visit. They all also set up chess.com accounts so they could play me when I'm not visiting them. Point is chess can strengthen families and I'd encourage any parent, uncle, brother, etc. to motivate their young ones to learn the game.  Playing chess with family has been the best reward of learning the game, and is far more important to me than winning.  I may not be a father but I'm a dang good uncle and it is a priority of mine to keep my nephews playing chess with me.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will try some of them out

All my 3 kids learned chess- eldest 2 are more interested in it than my youngest but he’s also not into board games as much in general and likes physical activities. He enjoys bughouse the most. My eldest two took a chess class now so daddy’s kind of done teaching and it’s time for them to fly on their own unless they come to me to ask for more assistance/practice games. My eldest hates to lose, and for whatever reason my 2nd eldest is the best of them but gets psyched out and usually loses to my eldest. I think he’s over all just more of an anxious person in general and gets distracted by it more easily.

I’m glad to have taught them chess and regardless if they stick with it long term it’s good experience for everyone involved.

Good to hear that! Chess is a fun game to learn! I learned chess when I was about 8 years old from my mom. 

Great story! Thanks for sharing.  My attitude is that chess can be great for learning how to deal with anxiety and distractions in a fun way.  My 10 year old nephew struggles with ADHD-as do I-and I use chess to teach him how to slow down, think through decisions, stay focused, and keep a vision for the future.  It's unbelievable how chess skills can be applied to life situations.