Teaching chess to my cousin is turning out to be harder than I had first thought. He knows how the pieces move, and the object of the game, and I have been trying to teach him the importance of positional play (as this seems, to me, to be easier for beginners to grasp. Correct me if I am wrong here): doubled pawns, control of the center, open files, etc.
Tactics is where he tends to have the most problem. He will play just fine, positionally, until I throw a simple two or three move combination at him. Then he just falls apart.
For instance, I thought it would be a good idea to give him a stack of mating problems (mostly mate in 2 or 3). He has been stuck on the very first one for three days. It is a simple deflection mate in 2 that I saw in about 10 seconds.
So, since I am starting to get frustrated with him, should I put him endgame work first, before anything else? The reason I haven't put him on this, is that I was trying to improve his opening and middle game so that he could immediately use them in a game against me. I am afraid that I will bore him with end game studies, and I want to keep his interest up.
So, do any of you have any ideas as to how to approach this? Should I forego tactics for the time being? What should I focus on for a true layman beginner?
Originally posted by AlphaAlekhinePerhaps after he spends 5-10 minutes on a simple problem, show him the answer. Then show him WHY it works. Set that puzzle aside and come back to it after he has done 10-20 more. Then start over and let him see his improvement! This will boost his confidence, instead of grinding him down with 3 days on a single position. Good luck!
Teaching chess to my cousin is turning out to be harder than I had first thought. He knows how the pieces move, and the object of the game, and I have been trying to teach him the importance of positional play (as this seems, to me, to be easier for beginners to grasp. Correct me if I am wrong here): doubled pawns, control of the center, open files, Should I forego tactics for the time being? What should I focus on for a true layman beginner?
EDIT- By the way, 303 Tricky Chess Tactics would be ideal for this type of training. The puzzles are separated by theme, and then organized from easiest to more difficult. Your cousin will progress to more difficult positions that build on each other. Finish a chapter, then go back and start it again and let him note the improvement!
Since he knows how the pieces move, I'd say the next is to learn the basic tactical ideas if he hasn't learned them already (being able to recognize basic one-move pins, forks, skewers, etc.). And if he can't handle mate in 2 or 3 problems, give him mate in one problems. I don't think I'd worry about teaching him endgame stuff until he learns the basic tactics.
I dont know how old your cousin is but with my 6 yr and to some extent my 4 yr old, I dont have them solve the puzzles. What I do is show them the idea of the puzzle and explain it as I show them how it is solved. Once they are older, or understand better, I will have them work harder to get it on their own.
Originally posted by BLReidThanks for the input. I think you are right. I may have been too much of a task master with him thus far. I like your ideas, and will implement them.
Perhaps after he spends 5-10 minutes on a simple problem, show him the answer. Then show him WHY it works. Set that puzzle aside and come back to it after he has done 10-20 more. Then start over and let him see his improvement! This will boost his confidence, instead of grinding him down with 3 days on a single position. Good luck!
EDIT- By the way, 303 Tr ...[text shortened]... each other. Finish a chapter, then go back and start it again and let him note the improvement!
Originally posted by z00tI like this as well. The only problem is finding a newbie for him to play against. Perhaps I should turn him on to RHP.
A book or two would not be a bad idea. If you have a chess program that you can adjust the level, that would help. It would also help to play with human newbies at his level for him to gain confidence.
Originally posted by AlphaAlekhinelol...there is another way...just turn your dial down to noob...play scholars mate opening...with scared moves and oppertunities at 3 or so forks
I like this as well. The only problem is finding a newbie for him to play against. Perhaps I should turn him on to RHP.
Originally posted by jvanhineyes start simple. Remember things were not always this easy for you, show him what deflection is, what a x-ray attack is, pinned pieces,before tossing puzzles at him
lol...there is another way...just turn your dial down to noob...play scholars mate opening...with scared moves and oppertunities at 3 or so forks
Originally posted by Restless SoulGood point. Another testament to the richness of Chess. You play for so long that you forget how daunting simple tactics can be to a beginner.
yes start simple. Remember things were not always this easy for you, show him what deflection is, what a x-ray attack is, pinned pieces,before tossing puzzles at him
I'm a chess coach myself, just started actually. I know what you mean, but sometimes you have to be patient. I think maybe the problem lies understanding the actual tactic taught and combinative play does not happen in an instant, especially mate in two's and them.
It took me a while to figure out mate in two's, you have to stress on what "forced" moves are and stuff, it takes the brain a while to process stuff like sacrifices because we are naturally thinking not to give great amounts of material. I think you should keep at the tactics, provide easier examples, then make them harder. For those combinative plays and mates, I recommend Bruce Pandolfini's books, I used to solve them whilst on the way to university because the train trip is long (got to get back into them now that I think of them). For chess tactics, I recommend Yasser Sierawan's books "tactics" and he has a range of books for beginners (endgames, dynamic chess, openings, strategies etc). Last but not least, if your cousin has the internet he should be doing chess tactics on the chess tactics website! chess.emrald.net
Hope this helps, interesting post. It will definately help me coach and play better. Let me know what happens. Remember just be patient.