Family Chess Journey

Introduction to Family Chess Journey

In this blog, I’ll be sharing the story of my family’s chess journey—how we’re learning and improving together, as well as growing individually. Whether you’re a parent helping your kids explore the game, an adult picking up chess for the first time, a regular player, or just someone curious about the world of chess, my hope is that you’ll enjoy following along and find inspiration here.

My Unique Chess Connection

I always enjoyed playing chess as a kid and teenager, but my interest faded as life got busier. There wasn’t much of a chess culture around me back then, so it’s understandable. However, I do have an interesting connection to the chess world: I was born on July 10, 1972, just one day before the famous "Match of the Century"between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky began on July 11, 1972.

Though Bobby didn’t show up on time for the first game, I arrived early—being born almost three months premature! While Fischer and Spassky were making chess history, I was in a hospital crib just 3 kilometers away.

Later, my mother and I moved to stay with family friends, and interestingly, the husband of that family was the designer of the chess table used in the Fischer-Spassky match.

My only other connection to Bobby Fischer is that his grave lies about 3 kilometers from my home. As a unique coincidence, my local chess club is located in the Bobby Fischer Center, which also serves as a museum dedicated to Bobby and that historic match.

Teaching Chess to My Kids

This blog isn’t just about me and Bobby Fischer! You’ll also find stories about our family chess game nights (and mornings), tips for teaching chess to kids, and beginner strategies that I’m learning. With five kids, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to experiment with teaching methods—right now, my focus is on teaching my daughters, 4 years old and 2 and a half years old.

My daughters are having fun at the Bobby Fischer Center.

I’ll share what works (and what doesn’t) when introducing chess to children and reflect on my own progress as an adult learner. I’ll also point you toward useful resources that have helped our family’s chess journey.

What to Expect from This Blog

In FamilyChessJourney, my goal is to keep things light, fun, and inspiring. Whether you're a parent like me, a beginner in chess, or someone rediscovering the game, I hope this blog encourages you to play chess with your own family. I’ll be posting regularly with new updates, so stay tuned as we explore chess together, one move at a time.

Join Us on This Journey

I’d love for you to join us on this journey! Feel free to share your thoughts, experiences, or any questions you might have. Let’s make our next move together and explore the joy of family chess.

Thanks for stopping by, and I look forward to sharing this adventure with you!

For more posts, feel welcome to check out FamilyChessJourney on Substack