Chess lessons for children aged 6 years + who are beginners and new to chess!

The school Summer term has started and my junior clubs in Herne Hill, Eltham, Plumstead and Crofton Park are open as usual. I only run these clubs during school term time and this means the children can have a well deserved break at half-term and other school holidays. 

Chess is an excellent, stimulating game that challenges children to think. So if you’d like your child to learn how to play and improve how they focus, please bring them along to join in. You’ll be amazed how much fun they’ll have and how much they’ll learn as well!

The homeschool class on Wednesday morning is no longer running and I’d like to thank all the parents who supported this class.

Hello there mums and dads. I’m so glad you’ve made it to here to find out more about chess and how your child can learn to play.  I know how difficult it can be sometimes to find an activity your child enjoys. So if your child is a beginner or new to chess, and you’d like them to learn, I’ll be delighted to teach them how to play when you bring them along. And with regards to Safeguarding, you’ll be pleased to know that I’ve had a clear DBS certificate since 2006 when I started teaching children how to play.

If your child, or a child you know wants to learn chess, you could encourage them to join a junior chess club in SE London. Places are available Click To Tweet

I am aware that a few children can play chess from 4 to 5 years of age, but I only accept children aged 6 years plus who are beginners or new to chess.

There’s so much evidence that explains how children who play chess perform better educationally, gain improved calculating ability, are more imaginative, creative, self-motivated and problem-solve so much easier.

This could be because playing chess challenges the minds of both girls & boys and it really is a fun game that most children can play quite well.

A short introduction to starting chess

I’d like to think that your child has an interest in chess and you’d like them to find out more and learn to play better?  What I will say is that when you bring them along to one of the junior clubs to join in, they’ll get a warm welcome from me and the other children every time.

So, if your child is not yet familiar with the rules of chess, I’ll show and explain to them that chess is a fun mind game, where a battle takes place between two players called Black and White. The battle happens on a chessboard which has 32 dark and 32 light squares. I’ll guide them on how to turn the board the correct way so there is a light square in the bottom right-hand corner and they’ll then have a go at setting up the chessmen in the right places. Have a look at the board setup below and you’ll notice that the board has numbers and letters around the edges. You can see the white chessmen on rows 1 & 2 and the black chessmen on rows 7 & 8. The rows are called Ranks.

There are 8 white pieces and 8 white Pawns.  In the lower left-hand corner on square a1 the chessman that looks like a castle is called a Rook.   Next to the Rook we have the horse’s head we call a Knight on b1, then a Bishop on c1, a Queen on d1 and the King on e1.  Next to the King we then have one more Bishop on f1, another Knight on g1 and another Rook on h1. In front of these 8 pieces on Rank number 1 are 8 Pawns on Rank number 2.  The player with the Black chessmen has the same number of pieces on Rank 8 and Pawns on Rank number7.

There are just a few children that can play chess at 4 or 5 years old. However, I usually accept girls and boys from 6 years old at my chess clubs. Click To Tweet

That was just a quick intro on where the chessmen stand on the board before you start a game, and there’s so much more your child will learn.  So as soon as they join up, I can introduce them to lots more. Please check out the nearest junior club to you and do bring them along when you can.  And here’s hoping you can fit a chess session into their weekly timetable!

I’m also trying to increase the number of girls that play chess too. So if you have a daughter that wants to have a go, please bring her along to join in as well.

If you’d like to buy an easy to read chess book for bebinners, I usually recommend this one by Murray Chandler and Helen Miligan.

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Girls can play chess just as well as boys when they’re encouraged to join in and have a go.

Research shows that children who practice chess regularly really do improve their ‘soft skills’, which help to develop the confidence to face lifes challenges.

And when it’s their turn to move, the thinking and planning skills they’ve developed helps them decide the next best move as part of their overall plan of action.

Playing chess also helps children improve strategic and analytical thinking skills. In a chess game, you have to rely on your own knowledge and judgement.  There is no luck involved whatsoever, as your child will have to make all the decisions for themself. Chess is pure skill and children who play, activate both the right and left sides of their brains and the more they practice, the better they’ll become at focussing and concentrating. And as I mentioned above; it’s good to have a crazy chess teacher who will stimulate and engage your child!