Learning Chess for Kids: Beginner Tips and Game Resources

Learning chess for kids and how to play chess for beginners is a fun educational game. How do you explain chess to a child, learn to play chess for kids and learning chess moves? We have game resources—including where to find free online chess for kids and kids’ games directions and strategy!

Learning Chess For Kids

Want to know how to play chess for kids? Whether you’re wondering how to teach chess to 6 year old or play with teens, these game tips will help!

Consider the game for your learning and family game night, even if you don’t know how to play chess!

Here’s why…

Is chess good for a child?

Did you know that chess games have huge benefits for kids?

Benefits of Chess for Kids

• Practices critical thinking skills
• Improves concentration
• Helps with memory
• Practices math and calculation skills
• Helps with strategic thinking
• Improves attention

 

Don’t miss our free chess for kids resources below!

 

What age can child learn chess?

A child can start to learn chess whenever they start to show an avid interest in the game. However, because of critical thinking skills and strategy involved, most kids are ready for the game around ages 7-8 and up when those skills are more developed and they can understand and enjoy the game more.

 

How do I teach my child to play chess?

How To Teach Chess To Kids:

• Use beginner chess games that give you clues on where to move
• Watch YouTube videos
• Read chess for beginner books
• Use chess strategy workbooks to practice
• Play beginner chess games
• Take a chess class for kids
• Join a chess kid club
• Use a learning chess app

 

How do you make chess fun for kids?

• Don’t force kids to play chess. Encourage their interest in playing the game.
• Start with simple rules and advance as your child advances.
• Allow them to join a club for chess with friends.
• Play fun games that use chess tactics and strategy.
• Learn the chess pieces by playing fun memory games with them.
• Don’t rely on memorizing chess rules at first. Use cheatsheets to help.
• Don’t worry about learning learning chess tactics at first. Just play for the fun of playing.
• Make small bets (winner gets to choose ice cream flavor tonight) to encourage play.

 

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History Of Chess For Kids

When we start something new, I like to cover the history of it. If you like that, too, here are some chess resources to start with before you get to gaming.

Check out this animated video of chess history before you get started!

 

Here’s how to add chess as one of your fun learning games for kids!

Beginner Chess Games for Kids

Let’s be honest, rules of chess for kids can be overwhelming. But how to start learning chess doesn’t have to be!

The first thing you may want to do is find a how to play chess for kids book to help your kids understand chess rules and how chess pieces move.

Try these chess books to get started!

►CHESS FOR KIDS IS AN AWESOME SERIES OF BOOKS, WORKBOOKS, AND CHESS PUZZLES FOR KIDS TO LEARN CHESS!

 

Beginner Chess Games

For beginner chess player (and especially kids), it’s helpful to get a beginner chess set that shows chess piece moves. 

For example, the Chess Teacher set puts the available moves for each piece on the back of the pieces.

You can also use No Stress Chess, which uses cards to guide you through the play, or Fun Family Chess, which come with access to tutorials and also color-coded guides.

The Kids’ Book of Chess includes a chess set and is also a great starting chess guide for kids.

 

 

Chess Puzzles For Kids

Chess puzzles and chess workbooks are another way for kids to practice and learn chest skills.

Grab one of the books like Chess Puzzles for Kids, which has a wide range of game levels practice and allows your beginner player to move to more advanced puzzles when they’re ready.

My First Book of Checkmate Workbook is another chess workbook that may be helpful.

 

Chess Video Games

If you’re looking for chess video games, try:

• Chess for Kids Nintendo DS game
• Gameboy Ultimate Brain Games that includes chess
• Learn to Play Chess PC
• Pure Chess on PS4
• Nintendo Switch Clubhouse Games (which includes chess)

 

Chess For Kids Online: Free Chess Online vs Computer

Learning games for kids online is another fun way to keep the learning going and there are even online chess for kids games.

To play chess for kids free online, check out Chess Kid, which has a free chess online game for a range of levels from beginner to hard levels.

You can also toggle a “coach” on to help kids (it tells you when you make a mistake) and then toggle off as they advance through chess levels. It takes a basic chess knowledge, so you may want to review some of our recommended chess resources before trying out the online game.

Kid Chess (a different site) also has some chess vs computer online chess games to try out with free chess online play. They have a chess for kids free membership and also a premium membership.

Be sure to add these to your how to learn chess for kids resources!

Have fun learning chess for kids!