Giving your Child the Best Start

Many parents think that by teaching their child to play chess, by studying individually with a chess caoch, their child will become a master of the sport, perhaps even a grandmaster in a short time. This is not always the case.

If your child is keen on chess, does more homework than was assigned, comes home after the game played, takes a chess and tries to analyse it, and is ready to sacrifice something for the sake of chess studies, then individual lessons with a coach are expedient.

There are different reasons for unwillingness to play: fear of losing or lowering one’s rating (although at home, I hope no one scolds them for losing), fear about playing against competitors with higher ratings or rankings. To overcome these psychological barriers, a coach – teacher is needed.

Independent work at home

I often have to remind children to do their homework and work on chess independently. This applies not only to children with 3rd-4th grades, but also to children with 1st-2nd grades, including candidate masters of sport. As long as I check the homework, the children do it. However, as soon as I relax my attention, independent work on chess stops. In order to achieve high results, you need to constantly improve. Improvement is based on independent work.

For children who play chess independently at home I try to help: I explain what and how to work on it in a given period.

Nevertheless, what should parents who have children who are not yet able to practice independently do? First, you need to decide together with the child what you want to achieve by practising chess, what chess level he wants to play. In addition, when you have achieved the goal together with him/her, set another goal, etc. You should start with a small goal, aim for a big one, and never stop there.

There are parents who keep track of their child’s ranking, and this is not a bad thing. However, they should not compare their child with others. Yes, the rating may go up or down and it should be treated philosophically. It should not be taken seriously. Don’t let your children be afraid of losing their rating. If this fear is present, the child will not be able to play well. In the end, he may stop playing chess and never fully develop his skills. Do not create a “ranking” complex for them.

Dear parents, you should help your children, not rush them, but be patient and wait for the next success.

Let us not scold a child, but LOVE them, even if they do not become a great chess player.