how to teach capturing pieces

HI all,

I'm kind of stumped teaching a 1st grader on making simple captures; he's not even able to see "free" captures.  Is this something that can be taught or is this something that is inate?  One of the issues that I've noted is that he is not surveying the whole board to realize that one of his pieces can make a simple capture.  Also, it doesn't help that he's making moves that results capture of his piece in the very netxt move.  I'm most frustrated with his inability to "see" the simplest direct capture.  Without this basic ability, I don't know how we can even advance to more important things like tactics!  Please shed some light.  Thanks.

Listen....... some people are smart and some are dumb. Maybe your kid is dumb. That doesnt mean he is Idiot, just he is learning slower. Ljubim With more practise he can achieve your goals. #hard work beats talent😃😃

It is not uncommon for some new players to hang/miss free pieces since they're looking in the wrong places, not looking hard enough or feel pressured to make a quick reply. Start with positions with fewer pieces and have him identify attacked/defended squares/pieces and add more as he gets better. (unless he's dropping his queen by moving it next to his opponent's king)

Its quite common for new players to take time to realize what is threatened and what is not threatened. I am teaching my sister and she has the same problem. All new players have the same problem.

I would recommend playing with lesser pieces on the board and slowly progress to more pieces. That makes it easier for the new players to learn. Try it and reply back if this method is useful or not.

When you step back and think about it, there are a lot of things to be watching and ways to be thinking all at once in chess. You're not going to see an opponnent's free piece or that you're hanging your own if your mind is elsewhere, or if you don't instinctively know where it ought to be.

Unless this has been going on for a long time, give him time to explore. That's really the most important part. Let him explore and have fun on his own with gentle guidance, and he'll probably surprise you.

Calm yourself. You're dealing with a six year old, and he might sense your frustration/disappointment, and that's probably not pleasant at all. 

I'd suggest playing pawn chess until he understands it, then implement the king. Later on the rook, then the Queen and finally the Bishops and the Knights. 

Just make very simple examples of hanging pieces and work your way up.  People learn at different rates.  But maybe the problem is something other like apathy.