How to Play Chess for Kids: Simple Strategies to Win!

Copyright © 2020 by Rockridge Press, Emeryville, California

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Cover Designer: Julie Schrader

Interior Designer: Antonio Valverde

Art Producer: Janice Ackerman

Editor: Kristen Depken

Production Editor: Andrew Yackira

Production Manager: Giraud Lorber

Cover Illustration: Courtesy of Shutterstock

Interior Illustrations: © 2019 Jeff Harvey: p. 13, 17, 19, 23, 27, 30, 35, 39, 45; Chessboard Diagram Illustrations: © 2019 Conor Buckley; Shutterstock: vii, xiv, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 34, 48, 62, 70, 72, 96.

Author Photo: Courtesy of Molly Wilbanks

ISBN: Print 978-1-64152-692-0 | eBook 978-1-64152-693-7

R1

This book is dedicated to my sweet son, Albert, who is my everything.

CONTENTS

Note for Parents

Welcome to the Game of Kings and Queens!

Part 1: How to Play Chess

CHAPTER 1: Let’s Start!

CHAPTER 2: Kings and Queens and More

CHAPTER 3: Rules to Remember

CHAPTER 4: Stages of the Game

CHAPTER 5: Chess Notation

Part 2: Ways to Win

CHAPTER 6: Terrific Tactics

CHAPTER 7: Super Strategies

CHAPTER 8: Moving On

Quiz Answers

Resources

Glossary

About the Author

NOTE FOR PARENTS

CHESS IS AN AMAZING GAME—some people even consider it a sport. It is both fun and competitive. As you probably know, there are incredible benefits for kids who play and study chess. Studies have shown that chess can improve test scores in school. Playing chess uses critical thinking skills such as higher-order thinking, memory, pattern recognition, math, and calculating abilities. It helps kids learn patience. It also teaches, through risk-benefit analysis, that there are consequences for each decision made. Children are exposed to social skills such as sportspersonship—learning to win with grace and lose with dignity. Every game begins and ends with a handshake (or a bow, if you’re in my class). Kids may not even realize they are learning all these skills—they just have fun playing!

Chess should always be fun, and the goal of this book is to teach children how to play chess and have fun while doing so. Chess can be played by anyone, regardless of background or socioeconomic status, and at (almost) any age. Parents, you can learn along with your children or brush up on your skills! This book is designed to be accessible to elementary- and middle-school-aged children; however, you should spend some time going through part 1 (basics) and part 2 (tactics and strategy) with your younger children. If your children are ages 10 to 12, they may be more capable of working through the book independently. (Although I recommend you take a peek, regardless!) Kids love challenging their parents to a game. Read along to ensure you can still beat them! In my experience, parents who are involved in their children’s learning of chess help their children learn more and retain more information. Remember to keep it fun!

WELCOME TO THE GAME OF KINGS AND QUEENS!

THIS BOOK IS YOUR KEY to learning to play chess. It will teach you the basics, explain some tricky rules, and show you some advanced strategies that will surprise your parents—and maybe even help you beat them!

My name is Jessica Era Martin. If you look me up, you’ll find there is a scholarship named after me in Arizona, where I used to live and teach chess. I have also taught in New York City and North Carolina. I started teaching with my old coach many years ago and had so much fun! I love working with kids ages 4 through 14—from teaching how the pieces move to coaching them at National Championships. I used to be the number one–ranked woman chess player in North Carolina and have written another chess book, My First Chess Book: 35 Easy and Fun Chess Activities for Children Aged 7 Years + (under the name Jessica Prescott). So, I promise I know what I’m talking about. I love chess!

I first learned to play from my dad when I was five years old. I joined a chess club at my school and quickly learned how to beat my dad. This was a relief, because he used to sing a song when he checkmated me. It motivated me to compete and, when I was in second grade, I won the state championships for my grade.

All you’re going to need is this book and a chess set (to practice), and you will learn to play and win! Did you know that chess makes you smarter? It does! You will get better at math and do better