Welcome to the kids’ corner
This section of the website is mainly aimed at kids who are new to chess but really the material is suitable for anyone – no matter what age – who is new to chess.
Three different groups of people should (I hope) all get something from this material:
- any kid who is starting out
- any adult who is starting out and wants a simple way to learn
- any parent who wants to learn to play chess to support their child
The aim is to introduce some basic chess concepts to get you going, and then build up your chess knowledge and understanding. A big shout-out here to chesskid.com and their curriculum, from which I have borrowed some ideas.
Welcome to chess – a lesson plan
The links below cover all of the things you will need to help you understand the game of chess. You don’t have to do them in the order set out below, but it will probably help if you do! Each page has some written and visual content which explains the topic, and you’ll find some video explainers too if you prefer that.
- Lesson 0 – A quick overview before we start
- Lesson 1 – Introducing the chess board
- Lesson 2 – Introducing each chess piece and how it moves
- Lesson 3 – Setting up the board and chess notation
- Lesson 4 – How to play a game of chess – the basics
- Lesson 5 – How to play a game of chess – introducing tactics
- Lesson 6 – How to play a game of chess – starting to think about the three phases (opening, middlegame, endgame)
- Lesson 7 – More about the opening
- Lesson 8 – More about the middlegame
- Lesson 9 – More about the endgame
- Lesson 10 – More chess tactics
- Lesson 11 – Some examples of entertaining and instructive chess games
- Lesson 12 – Some famous chess players whose style and games you might want to study
- Lesson 13 – Some great chess streamers whose content you may want to watch
- Lesson 14 – Even more about endgames
- Lesson 15 – Even more about openings
- Lesson 16 – How to analyse your games
Had enough of lessons and want a bit of entertainment? Click below!
Famous games to watch
Where to learn more
I plan to build out even more chess content so keep checking back, or email me at webmaster@chessjourney.org if you have any ideas for what you would like to see.
But I’d also recommend that every child who is keen to learn more gets a membership of chesskid.com. My kids have memberships and it’s safe, fun and highly educational.
I also offer lessons aimed at children or adult beginners if you are interested in that – you can find out more on my chesstuition page. Those lessons follow the plan set out above, and includes homework material to help guide your practice between lessons.