asampedas wrote:
Er...if she's gifted and smart, I think she would checkmate her own father!
Maybe I'm wrong.
You are right, she will enjoy taking down my king, anything to put daddy in his place, LOL.
My 5yr old is smarter than me!
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modernchess wrote:
Make sure to make playing chess an enjoyable experience for her, because it really is a wonderful and constructive hobby. Just setting aside some time to teach the rules and play a game or two is probably enough, and probably fun for you as well. I just wish my sisters were as excited about chess as your daughter is
Thank you, we are having fun and I see us both learning and growing in the game already. I sure in no time she will be instructing me.
Musikamole wrote:
I’ve taught music to children K-6 for over 20 years. I now am teaching them how to play chess before school and during lunch. It’s very important that they have fun while learning a complex game. Keep it simple at first. My upper grade students enjoy blitz games the most. They love the challenge and running the other person out of time. It’s fun to watch.
To teach your daughter, I suggest that you play free computer chess. This will give you confidence in teaching correct moves, as the computer will not permit wrong ones. Your daughter needs to play with real chess pieces and will have more fun capturing Dad’s pieces. Example: Windows Vista has Chess Titans. Chess Titans has a very nice feature. When you click on a piece, all of the squares that you can move to are lighted. Also, you will learn good chess moves from the computer. Start with the absolute easiest setting in order to learn the basic moves, i.e., castling and checkmate. On a difficult setting, you may not even get a chance to castle, as the computer will not blunder.
Members, what’s the ELO rating of the chess dot com free chess computer when set to easy? It’s too difficult for a beginning player, imo.
Below is an easy opening I taught my daughter for your consideration. It will insure that the pieces are placed on good squares and each of you will enjoy an excellent chance of capturing pieces and winning. I suggest that your daughter play as Black, as she will have the first opportunity to capture a pawn. Meaning, she has the material advantage and is winning at that very second in the game. It’s very important that you adjust your playing strength as needed to give your daughter the opportunity to offer check and checkmate. This won’t work with older children, as they will know when Dad is letting them win. With my 6th grade daughter, I remove my Queen from the board. If I’m very tired, I leave the Queen be!
The Giuoco Piano with my annotation. Enjoy!
Awesome! Thank you so much. I will check out the site that you suggested. I feel you are correct on your opinion on the chess.com easy games being to hard for a beginner. I have played 35 games and have not won any. I was getting discouraged.
I will show her your opening moves you provided, thank you! Your words have been very helpful, given me direction, and have made me feel better and more confident.
Please feel free to share anything else that you think may help. I just want my little girl to have fun, grow, learn, and not laugh when she beats me :)
Don't teach her any openings.
Kupov3 wrote:
Don't teach her any openings.
I agree with this but teach her the basics.. like open up in the middle, move Knights before bishops, and teach her the fools mate so she doesnt get fooled :)
SerbianChessStar wrote:
Kupov3 wrote:
Don't teach her any openings.
I agree with this but teach her the basics.. like open up in the middle, move Knights before bishops, and teach her the fools mate so she doesnt get fooled :)
Sure teach her some principles. But don't grind them in. Explain to her about the centre and what not.
Knights before bishops is simply misinformation.
No, because you usually dont move your bishop without provacation (i seriously dont know what this word means.. but i read it a lot), usually knights are moved before bishops but not always.
I also have a 5 year old that has expressed an interest in chess! She is really really smart. I have played a few games with her and it's amazing how quickly they learn.
I would warn you to make sure you teach her the exact locations of the pieces at the beginning of the game and how to castle. My dad taught me how to play chess but these were important things that I did not learn until last year when I started playing here and it makes a big difference. (The board is supposed to be a certain way, etc.) Have fun is the most important thing. If I wanted to play with my 5 year old every day, she would but I just get a little impatient. I should really play with her more though because it is good time together and it helps develop the mind.
Nov 29, 2009
0
#31
McRuss wrote:
Musikamole wrote:
Below is an easy opening I taught my daughter for your consideration. It will insure that the pieces are placed on good squares and each of you will enjoy an excellent chance of capturing pieces and winning. The Giuoco Piano with my annotation. Enjoy!
Awesome! Thank you so much.
I will show her your opening moves you provided, thank you! Your words have been very helpful, given me direction, and have made me feel better and more confident. Please feel free to share anything else that you think may help. I just want my little girl to have fun, grow, learn, and not laugh when she beats me :)
I'm glad you found the Giuoco Piano helpful. 
I asked her what she liked most about the game, she said, "having to think about all of the pieces and what they should do before the game starts." She's smarter than me! She doesn't get upset of frustrated when she loses, she just wants to play again, "Daddy, your King won't hide from me this time!" She's great! - McRuss
This is my longest post to date on chess dot com. I'll strive to keep my future posts much shorter!
It sounds like you have a little chess genius sitting across the board from you. She plans before she moves! Gate students are tough to beat. I've played against them and never feel smarter after the match. I suggest reading tons of chess books and keeping them well hidden from her. 
You will want to strive to maintain equality with her as she will most likely develop rapidly. Good luck!
Don't show her: How to Beat Your Dad at Chess: Including the 50 Deadly Checkmates by Murray Chandler. If she gets just a peek at this little book, equality with Dad goes out the window! She will connect too many dots and checkmate everyone at school, as well.
Some will say: Don't teach them openings. I say, a few simple openings are good, perhaps necessary for the beginning player. Example: I play 1. e4 and the child responds with 1)...h3 at school. Why? They are afraid their pawn may be captured, so play defensively. Open games develop tactics, so at least teach 1. e4 e5. People can argue all they want to beyond that point in the game. It's just my opinion from experience working with children, nothing more.
With that said, I'll post two more openings for your consideration. The second one is more complex, and only suitable after the student is ready for the challenge.
The Four Knights: Scotch Variation with 4)...exd4. The main line is: 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. d4. My students really enjoy this opening, as all four knights are off the back ranks and ready to do battle. It's a game of tactics after just three moves and just plain fun. The really bright children will see quickly all of the squares the knights can land on. Now, this does not need to be dogma, but you will hear knights before bishops often.
You play Black, as 4)...exd4 gives White an advantage in space. The alternative is 4. Bb5, the Spanish Four Knights. The diagram below shows a continuation where White plays a bit stronger. Also, chess tactics such as pins, forks and checking the King are used.
The Four Knights: Spanish Variation. The main line is: 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4. This open is also known as the Double Ruy Lopez Variation. As you can see, two knights are pinned. This line requires more calculations and sharper tactics. You can play White or Black. The diagram below shows a continuation where Black plays a bit stronger. Besides pins, you will see breaking pins, checking the King for facilitating development and how a stronger player can weaken the pawn structure of the other player. In the end, Black enjoys the better pawn structure, even after being placed in check!
As other posters have mentioned, above all, keep it fun and enjoy the time with your daughter. You're a blessed father.
Last thought. My 6th grade daughter and I sat down to watch (Searching for Bobby Fischer - 1993 PG) a few months ago. It's not about Bobby Fischer. We both found the movie inspirational and played many blitz games afterwards with the same vinyl chess board, same color squares and pieces as seen in the movie. My chess clock, however, is electronic. I'll get a wind up one some day. :)
After watching speed chess in Washington Square Park, 7-year-old Josh Waitzken (Max Pomeranc) gets hooked on the game. Josh's father (solidly played by Joe Mantegna) learns that his son is a chess whiz and decides to hire an implacable chess master (Ben Kingsley) to coach the boy.
Teaching 1. e4/e5 can go with a discussion on the centre.
DO NOT TEACH HER BOOK OPENINGS.
Yes. Endgames!
NO BOOK OPENINGS UNTIL SHE IS A STRONG PLAYER. I can't stress this enough. Grilling her with openings will kill her confidence and creative abilities. She won't develop imaginative play and she will become a weaker player in the long run.
The key problem here is that you, her instructor, do not understand enough of chess to properly explain to her on some beginning ideas.
Take her to a chess club for instruction. Play entertaining games with her at home.
And that's ignoring the fact that you aren't qualified to teach her openings anyways.
Opening moves you find on this site, maybe. Opening'Z, no way.
Nov 30, 2009
0
#35
Kupov3 wrote:
1. Yes. Endgames!
2. NO BOOK OPENINGS UNTIL SHE IS A STRONG PLAYER. I can't stress this enough. Grilling her with openings will kill her confidence and creative abilities. She won't develop imaginative play and she will become a weaker player in the long run.
The key problem here is that you, her instructor, does not understand enough of chess to properly explain to her on some beginning ideas. Arg!
Take her to a chess club for instruction. Play entertaining games with her at home. Ugh!
Good grief! I guess Dad is just not smart enough to learn and teach chess at the same time? Don't fear. I will restore any confidence lost from this post above.
This is just one man's opinion. I would suggest not growing anxious over what I have quoted above. Before I counter, let me give you a little more background on myself. Am I a professional chess teacher. No. Am I a professional school teacher who has worked with elementary children for over two decades. Yes!
I also have five children ranging from 11 to 22, and they are all happy children.
My point: I'm an expert when it comes to young minds - what turns them on - and what turns them off.
First - Endgame study. I did not suggest that you and your daughter not play other games with the chess board. Endgames can be fun, as well. Notice, I did not say Endgame Study. She will get turned off. She's only 5 and this is a fun game to her, not some serious persuit towards greatness as the next chess queen. Geez!
Example of my approach to an endgame game: "Would you like to see how fast you can checkmate Daddy when I only have a King and you have a King, Queen and a Rook? Sound like fun? O.K. Ready - Set - Go!
It's all in the approach. Always remember that chess is a game and you can't go wrong with you and your daughter learning the game together as long as you keep it fun, and are making progress. What a joy. What a privilege!
Now, I am not suggesting that you never hire a professional chess coach. My father paid for my private guitar lessons when I was 7 years of age. Nothing wrong with that. Back to the endgame.
The Staircase Technique. It's the first endgame technique for beginners that Jeremy Silman teaches in his 530 page book titled: "Silman's Complete Endgame Course - from Beginner to Master. "
2. "NO BOOK OPENINGS UNTIL SHE IS A STRONG PLAYER."
I disagree. I would guess that most chess players rated under 1200 know some basic lines. It will help, not hurt, provided the beginner does not go off the deep end and ONLY study openings, to the exclusion of the endgame and tactics, tactics and more tactics.
Besides, from my experience with children, if you set up the board with the Four Knights and then say: "Your move kid, just try and take my pieces and see if you can checkmate me. I double dog dare you!" - then the child will be fully engaged and prepared to have an enormous amount of fun.
Notice, I did not say that we are going to study opening lines and the endless variations, and the theory behind every move. Not at all! To a child, it's just a game. Adults make it far to serious.
Kupov3 wrote:
Yes. Endgames!
NO BOOK OPENINGS UNTIL SHE IS A STRONG PLAYER. I can't stress this enough. Grilling her with openings will kill her confidence and creative abilities. She won't develop imaginative play and she will become a weaker player in the long run.
The key problem here is that you, her instructor, does not understand enough of chess to properly explain to her on some beginning ideas.
Take her to a chess club for instruction. Play entertaining games with her at home.
Yes, you are correct, I do not know much at all about chess but do want to learn and teach her correctly. I am not the smartest person, I hardly made it out of high school. I don't want that to be her. I have read to her and played classical music for her from the time I knew my wife was pregnant, I read this is good for her brain development. I make learning into games and let her decided what we will work on each day so it is fun for her, not work. She is in Kindergarten, the only child in her class that is reading, she is reading and doing math at a second grade level. She loves school. Her writing skills are at a end of 1st grade level. She is now writing short stories and poems to grow in her writing. Again, she loves school. She loves to learn. She eats it up! Now chess, it is intimidating to me and I don't want to mess her up or hold her back in anything. I want more for her than I had. I was on my own and homeless at age 15. I had a hard life and want her to have the best. I have worked many hard jobs so life is easy for her. She is everything to me. I am trying very hard and will take every one's generous suggestions into consideration. I pray I am guided in the right direction for her sake.
I am excited to see that there are new comments left on this subject because each post and discussion between each post helps me help her. So thank you and keep them coming!
Musikamole wrote:
Kupov3 wrote:
1. Yes. Endgames!
2. NO BOOK OPENINGS UNTIL SHE IS A STRONG PLAYER. I can't stress this enough. Grilling her with openings will kill her confidence and creative abilities. She won't develop imaginative play and she will become a weaker player in the long run.
The key problem here is that you, her instructor, does not understand enough of chess to properly explain to her on some beginning ideas. Arg!
Take her to a chess club for instruction. Play entertaining games with her at home. Ugh!
Good grief! I guess Dad is just not smart enough to learn and teach chess at the same time? Don't fear. I will restore any confidence lost from this post above.
This is just one man's opinion. I would suggest not growing anxious over what I have quoted above. Before I counter, let me give you a little more background on myself. Am I a professional chess teacher. No. Am I a professional school teacher who has worked with elementary children for over two decades. Yes!
I also have five children ranging from 11 to 22, and they are all happy children.
My point: I'm an expert when it comes to young minds - what turns them on - and what turns them off.
First - Endgame study. I did not suggest that you and your daughter not play other games with the chess board. Endgames can be fun, as well. Notice, I did not say Endgame Study. She will get turned off. She's only 5 and this is a fun game to her, not some serious persuit towards greatness as the next chess queen. Geez!
Example of my approach to an endgame game: "Would you like to see how fast you can checkmate Daddy when I only have a King and you have a King, Queen and a Rook? Sound like fun? O.K. Ready - Set - Go!
It's all in the approach. Always remember that chess is a game and you can't go wrong with you and your daughter learning the game together as long as you keep it fun, and are making progress. What a joy. What a privilege!
Now, I am not suggesting that you never hire a professional chess coach. My father paid for my private guitar lessons when I was 7 years of age. Nothing wrong with that. Back to the endgame.
The Staircase Technique. It's the first endgame technique for beginners that Jeremy Silman teaches in his 530 page book titled: "Silman's Complete Endgame Course - from Beginner to Master. "
2. "NO BOOK OPENINGS UNTIL SHE IS A STRONG PLAYER."
I disagree. I would guess that most chess players rated under 1200 know some basic lines. It will help, not hurt, provided the beginner does not go off the deep end and ONLY study openings, to the exclusion of the endgame and tactics, tactics and more tactics.
Besides, from my experience with children, if you set up the board with the Four Knights and then say: "Your move kid, just try and take my pieces and see if you can checkmate me. I double dog dare you!" - then the child will be fully engaged and prepared to have an enormous amount of fun.
Notice, I did not say that we are going to study opening lines and the endless variations, and the theory behind every move. Not at all! To a child, it's just a game. Adults make it far to serious.
I am so happy to see your suggestions. I see that you are looking at your input not just from a chess angle but that of a teacher and father. To me that is great! I am really concentrating on your suggestions. I didn't know about end games. I think doing this every once in a while so that she can "kick daddy's butt" would be great to keep her motivated. She does like to win and I know it will be no time at all when she will be beating me without any help. We have played 8 games and she already knows the board set up, moves of each piece, the value of each piece, and I can see her look at my pieces and hers to plan her moves, also I see her examine the board before we start and she tells me she has a plan and challenges me to try and ruin it. She amazes me!
I have shared with her some of the suggestions that have been made and I ask her what she wants to know more about, then that is what I show her. She knows I have asked for help and I share with her all that has been shared with me even the names of those who have taken the time to share their knowledge. She is very grateful that there are so many people that want to see her grow as a chess player. She is amazed by the generousity of the strangers that have now become a part of our lives through chess. She as I do, thanks you.
I am trying to be the best father that I can, teach her the best I can, and enjoy the entire process before she is beyond what I can do to help. I love her with all of my being and just want to see her have all of the advantages that I missed out on because of my family life when I was growing up. I have a blue print of how to raise a child wrong so I am trying to do everything right. Thank you for your help and encouragement. Your time and energy is very much appreciated and I hope to continue to learn and grow from your suggestions. Many blessings to you and yours.
Musikamole wrote:
McRuss wrote:
Musikamole wrote:
Below is an easy opening I taught my daughter for your consideration. It will insure that the pieces are placed on good squares and each of you will enjoy an excellent chance of capturing pieces and winning. The Giuoco Piano with my annotation. Enjoy!
Awesome! Thank you so much.
I will show her your opening moves you provided, thank you! Your words have been very helpful, given me direction, and have made me feel better and more confident. Please feel free to share anything else that you think may help. I just want my little girl to have fun, grow, learn, and not laugh when she beats me :)
I'm glad you found the Giuoco Piano helpful.
I asked her what she liked most about the game, she said, "having to think about all of the pieces and what they should do before the game starts." She's smarter than me! She doesn't get upset of frustrated when she loses, she just wants to play again, "Daddy, your King won't hide from me this time!" She's great! - McRuss
This is my longest post to date on chess dot com. I'll strive to keep my future posts much shorter!
It sounds like you have a little chess genius sitting across the board from you. She plans before she moves! Gate students are tough to beat. I've played against them and never feel smarter after the match. I suggest reading tons of chess books and keeping them well hidden from her. You will want to strive to maintain equality with her as she will most likely develop rapidly. Good luck!
Don't show her: How to Beat Your Dad at Chess: Including the 50 Deadly Checkmates by Murray Chandler. If she gets just a peek at this little book, equality with Dad goes out the window! She will connect too many dots and checkmate everyone at school, as well.
Some will say: Don't teach them openings. I say, a few simple openings are good, perhaps necessary for the beginning player. Example: I play 1. e4 and the child responds with 1)...h3 at school. Why? They are afraid their pawn may be captured, so play defensively. Open games develop tactics, so at least teach 1. e4 e5. People can argue all they want to beyond that point in the game. It's just my opinion from experience working with children, nothing more.
With that said, I'll post two more openings for your consideration. The second one is more complex, and only suitable after the student is ready for the challenge.
The Four Knights: Scotch Variation with 4)...exd4. The main line is: 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. d4. My students really enjoy this opening, as all four knights are off the back ranks and ready to do battle. It's a game of tactics after just three moves and just plain fun. The really bright children will see quickly all of the squares the knights can land on. Now, this does not need to be dogma, but you will hear knights before bishops often.
You play Black, as 4)...exd4 gives White an advantage in space. The alternative is 4. Bb5, the Spanish Four Knights. The diagram below shows a continuation where White plays a bit stronger. Also, chess tactics such as pins, forks and checking the King are used.
The Four Knights: Spanish Variation. The main line is: 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4. This open is also known as the Double Ruy Lopez Variation. As you can see, two knights are pinned. This line requires more calculations and sharper tactics. You can play White or Black. The diagram below shows a continuation where Black plays a bit stronger. Besides pins, you will see breaking pins, checking the King for facilitating development and how a stronger player can weaken the pawn structure of the other player. In the end, Black enjoys the better pawn structure, even after being placed in check!
As other posters have mentioned, above all, keep it fun and enjoy the time with your daughter. You're a blessed father.
Last thought. My 6th grade daughter and I sat down to watch (Searching for Bobby Fischer - 1993 PG) a few months ago. It's not about Bobby Fischer. We both found the movie inspirational and played many blitz games afterwards with the same vinyl chess board, same color squares and pieces as seen in the movie. My chess clock, however, is electronic. I'll get a wind up one some day. :)
After watching speed chess in Washington Square Park, 7-year-old Josh Waitzken (Max Pomeranc) gets hooked on the game. Josh's father (solidly played by Joe Mantegna) learns that his son is a chess whiz and decides to hire an implacable chess master (Ben Kingsley) to coach the boy.
Musikamole,
Again, your time and energy is appreciated. Your words as a father, a teacher, and a lover of chess are a blessing.
I am going to check out the book that you suggested for me, I need all the help I can get. Also I am going to see that movie and see if it is something that may interest and inspire her. She has watched some chess games play out on my computer yesterday and said that she is going to beat me when she gets home from school today. It won't surprise me if she does it. She memorizes everything she sees, books, songs, movies, it is very amazing. So lets see if she memorizes entire chess matches, I can't believe that she can watch matches like that, I can't understand what is going on with the matches but I betr she does,LOL.
Any way, again thank you and please keep the suggestions coming. Your generousity of your time and energy is appreciated.
Matthew Russell
Musik I never suggested that the OP is stupid, don't put words in my mouth.
Nov 30, 2009
0
#40
Kupov3 wrote:
Musik I never suggested that the OP is stupid, don't put words in my mouth.
Sorry. You are correct. You used the word "qualified" . My mistake.
Anyway, the daughter is blessed to have such a wonderful father, and all of the posts on this thread have been outstanding. I think we can agree to disagree as it relates to pedagogy and chess.
For what it's worth, I am married and have a two-year-old daughter. My wife refuses every attempt I make to teach her, so I am waiting for my daughter to be old enough to learn. At age five, if your daughter is willing to learn, I'd say you've got it made as a father.
Thank you, kids are great, I love being a parent! Your daughter will be beating you at chess very soon as well :)