Improving Game

Hi Everyone,
This is my kids account. I accidently introduced him to chess 10 months ago, to keep him away from Computer and Mobile games lol. He is 6 years and 3 months old and is really hooked. Personally, I dont have much experience with chess, so I read a lot and try to teach him. Every week or 2, we do a game from Logical chess - move by move. So far we have covered till game # 14. And in between we do Pandolfini's Endgame Course. He solves 14 puzzles in total daily. I will say with 80-85% accuracy.

But since last 1 and half months he is not showing much improvement in chess.com ratings. He reached his peak at 1360 back than, since than, he has been consistenly hovering around 1280. Getting passed 1300 and than loosing couple of games with 1300+ players, has been happening a lot.

I am sure, its something wrong with how I train him, because I dont see any lack of dedication from the kid. So if someone from you expereinced with training kids or if you can find any flaw in how I am teaching him. Please give your suggestion(s), I will really appreciate it.

If you are suggesting change the teacher, I am terribly sorry, he is stuck with me for a while lol. I live in small place with no clubs or coaching centers around.

Looking forward to hear your valuable suggestions.

Cheers!
Ashish

Here's a link to 25 free Chess Mentor courses that would be great for you to do together.  I've done 70% of the CM courses and consider these some of the most well written.

http://www.chess.com/blog/webmaster/free-chess-mentor-courses

You might also consider getting a general tactics book. Almost everyone recommends tactical study as the quickest way to bump up your rating.  Here's a link to Coach Heisman's website with a list of recommended books.  A mouseclick away are 10  years of his monthly improvement column, the Novice Nook.  Have fun!  Oh, Have you checked out the sister site chesskid.com ?

http://danheisman.home.comcast.net/~danheisman/Events_Books/General_Book_Guide.htm#anthologies

Hi BadDogno,

Thanks for your guidance, I will surely look into your suggestion and try to do chess mentor courses with him.

Do you reccomend finishing up the 2 books I am already doing with him, before jumping on the tactics book you suggested. Or start with it straight away.

Oh yes, he played on chesskid.com for couple of months. He doesn't like 15 mins. max per game there. But he goes there every day to do free 5 tactics puzzles.

Once again thanks for your valuable suggestion and guidance. Have a nice day.

Cheers!
Ashish

It seems to me you're on the right track.  In your initial post you didn't mention any tactical training other than the endgame course so I was a little concerned about that.  I'd keep on with what you are doing but maybe add something like Bain's Chess Tactics for Students to the mix.  In truth I haven't a clue how to train a precocious 6 year old, but those were resources that came to mind.  That link to NM Heisman's Novice Nook articles may be my best suggestion in the long run.  There is just a ton of valuable insights on all things chess.  Don't try reading them all in one night. 

Hi BadDogno,
Oh, he does 14 tactical puzzles daily. Yeah thanks, I will slowly try to accomodate into our training regime.

I did look at NM Heisman's Novice Nook articles, they look resource full and helming for begnining to intermediate players.

Ha ha sure, I will take it slowly but surely, otherwise chances are one of us going to have a brain freeze lol.

Once again thanks for guidance. Have a nice day.

Cheers!
Ashish