Your network blocks the Lichess assets!

lichess.org
Donate

From which age kids can learn chess?

From which age kids can learn chess?

From which age kids can learn chess?

That's obviously highly individual. The earliest I know about is around the age of 2.

That's obviously highly individual. The earliest I know about is around the age of 2.

A couple of days depending the motivation of the father

A couple of days depending the motivation of the father

Magnus learned it on age 5, but found it nothing. At age 8 however, he was hooked.
So I would guess age 5 is a little to early, but age 6 or 7 should be okay for most.
This doesn't mean you can't try at younger ages, but the chance of success will be far lower.

Magnus learned it on age 5, but found it nothing. At age 8 however, he was hooked. So I would guess age 5 is a little to early, but age 6 or 7 should be okay for most. This doesn't mean you can't try at younger ages, but the chance of success will be far lower.

i teach kids, and i learned at the age of four (but i had TWO parents, neither of whom played that well, teaching, and four is REALLY the limit). five years old is the age to start - of course, this assumes the kid is intrigued. i've had five year olds who were captivated by the game, of course most are entertained for only awhile... i had one kid who learned to read at three, and at age 6 or so he seemed more advanced in general than most 8 year olds........ i had no geniuses, though.

i teach kids, and i learned at the age of four (but i had TWO parents, neither of whom played that well, teaching, and four is REALLY the limit). five years old is the age to start - of course, this assumes the kid is intrigued. i've had five year olds who were captivated by the game, of course most are entertained for only awhile... i had one kid who learned to read at three, and at age 6 or so he seemed more advanced in general than most 8 year olds........ i had no geniuses, though.

My son is 3 years and 8 months old and he knows how to put the pieces on the real board at the start position after I've showed him a few times. Also, he's hooked by the Leeches "Chess basis" lessons, because of the little stars he has to capture with different pieces ("I want to play chess, my stars" he says every time. He's so cute...)
But is hard when we play on the board. Those limitations on how the pieces must move on the board seems so... irrelevant for him, yet. But he plays every day here, repeating lessons, and on the real board where we recapitulate how the pieces move.

I wasn't forced him to chess in any way. From 2 y old he loved to play with my wooden chess board and pieces and lately seeing me playing online sparked his interest. I hope he will learn to play in the near future.

My son is 3 years and 8 months old and he knows how to put the pieces on the real board at the start position after I've showed him a few times. Also, he's hooked by the Leeches "Chess basis" lessons, because of the little stars he has to capture with different pieces ("I want to play chess, my stars" he says every time. He's so cute...) But is hard when we play on the board. Those limitations on how the pieces must move on the board seems so... irrelevant for him, yet. But he plays every day here, repeating lessons, and on the real board where we recapitulate how the pieces move. I wasn't forced him to chess in any way. From 2 y old he loved to play with my wooden chess board and pieces and lately seeing me playing online sparked his interest. I hope he will learn to play in the near future.

i teach newcomers, all comers, in a local library. i start out 5 year olds, no chess experience, with moving pawns. line the pawns up, just like a game. whoever promotes the pawn simply wins. you get some zugzwang, and some draws. it's a fun game. a 5 yo gets this in a few minutes. then you can add pieces - i usually add the K only if they are ready to understand check, etc... i usually let the kids win - you gotta keep them interested. a 50 year old don't like losing. a 5 year old hates losing, generally. when i add rooks, i describe doubling up, etc.. the kids get it.

the hard part is putting it all together for all the pieces, and opening principles. but using just the pawns --- it's easy for the kids. and it's a fun game. just try all pawns, Kings, and some other minor piece. to me, that's almost an end game.

i teach newcomers, all comers, in a local library. i start out 5 year olds, no chess experience, with moving pawns. line the pawns up, just like a game. whoever promotes the pawn simply wins. you get some zugzwang, and some draws. it's a fun game. a 5 yo gets this in a few minutes. then you can add pieces - i usually add the K only if they are ready to understand check, etc... i usually let the kids win - you gotta keep them interested. a 50 year old don't like losing. a 5 year old hates losing, generally. when i add rooks, i describe doubling up, etc.. the kids get it. the hard part is putting it all together for all the pieces, and opening principles. but using just the pawns --- it's easy for the kids. and it's a fun game. just try all pawns, Kings, and some other minor piece. to me, that's almost an end game.

Regardless of what you want to teach a child.
Make sure that it is fun for them.
Children have a mind like a sponge. If learning chess is like a chore, then they will learn the game, but also learn to hate it. (And will try to avoid it)

But if you casually teach them chess, by playing and entertaining them, so they can see that you are having fun, then they might copy your emotions, and think about the game as fun time.
But If they don't like the experience of playing chess, then they wouldn't learn as well.
You can introduce chess to them gradually, but don't force it onto them.

Regardless of what you want to teach a child. Make sure that it is fun for them. Children have a mind like a sponge. If learning chess is like a chore, then they will learn the game, but also learn to hate it. (And will try to avoid it) But if you casually teach them chess, by playing and entertaining them, so they can see that you are having fun, then they might copy your emotions, and think about the game as fun time. But If they don't like the experience of playing chess, then they wouldn't learn as well. You can introduce chess to them gradually, but don't force it onto them.

probably 10 months if you beat him a little.

probably 10 months if you beat him a little.

This topic has been archived and can no longer be replied to.