My Daughter asked me for a chess lesson

It was really very fun. We went over how each piece moved and I had her place pawns to all the places a given piece can move on an empty boards from different squares. I told her that when she started to play that she should move her pieces out and have her pieces able to move as many places as possible. We also talked about how we want to control the center four squares as much as possible. The center is the gateway to the board!

We talked about how a bishop can't jump a piece and that you have to move the right pawn to allow the bishop to move. I had her count the squares that each pawn move would allow the bishop or queen to move and she decided that the e pawn is the pawn that should be moved. Then she had to decide how many squares to move the e pawn and she came to the conclusion that the e pawn should be moved two squares.

I then walked her through a very short Petrov's defense with 1.e4 e5 1.Nf3 (explaing that when you develop your pieces you should attack an undefended target) Nf6 (explaining that you don't have to simply defend, but attack a target in reply) 3.Nxe5 Nxe4 4.Qe2 Nf6 (she decided it was a safe place to put the Knight) 5.Nc6+ We then looked at the pieces the Knight was now attacking and that now black's queen is lost. She was very happy that she beat me!


Something I learned from that lesson, 1.e4 really is a very logical move!

Originally posted by Eladar
Something I learned from that lesson, 1.e4 really is a very logical move!

I suppose I should clarify learned, what I meant was taken to heart. I've always known it, but I did not feel it. Perhaps some know what I mean.

A future chess star is born!!!!!!

Originally posted by ketchuplover
A future chess star is born!!!!!!

It is a very wonderful begining.

Congratulations!!!

Originally posted by trev33
not with eladar has its teacher 😵

Originally posted by Eladar
I'm not trying to teacher her based so much on how I've played. After all, I taught her to play 1.e4 as her first move!

Yesterday my copy of Mammoth Chess arrived, so I've started her off on the first chapter's checkmates. It seemed to be a bit much for her, especially the smothered mate. But hopefully she learned something from it, such as an unsuppo ...[text shortened]... e wanted to play, checkers! 😀


Thanks Wcoaster and Ketchuplover (a west coaster too!)

Originally posted by trev33
what age is she?

Originally posted by Eladar
I'm not trying to teacher her based so much on how I've played. After all, I taught her to play 1.e4 as her first move!

Yesterday my copy of Mammoth Chess arrived, so I've started her off on the first chapter's checkmates. It seemed to be a bit much for her, especially the smothered mate. But hopefully she learned something from it, such as an unsuppo ...[text shortened]... e wanted to play, checkers! 😀


Thanks Wcoaster and Ketchuplover (a west coaster too!)

Originally posted by Eladar
She's eleven.

I thought the most impressive thing was that she asked for the lesson. I doubt she will even play in any tournaments, although her eyes did seem to light up when I said that there are all girl tournies. I'm just hoping that one of my kids will be willing to play chess with me in my old age, should I live that long!

I was using it to teach mating patterns.

Hi Eladar

This site:

http://www.chesskids.com/newcourse/index.htm

You know I'm not over fond of screen learning but this site is absolutely superb for kids.
It has been put together by a very experienced chess teacher of children.

Sounds like the page on simple checkmates is what you are after.
Perhaps you show her the simple mates and then give her the quiz.

http://www.chesskids.com/newcourse/page11.htm

(infact 99% of the grown up's on here should give it a try) 😉

Originally posted by Eladar
I was using it to teach mating patterns.

I didn't show her the book. I put the positions on the board.

I'd say get off your high horsey.