| Many people still think that the game of | | | | met some kids that were highly gifted. I will |
| chess is appropriate for old people. In their | | | | never forget a little boy, 8 years old, who |
| mind's eye, they see 2 elderly people sitting | | | | played a game of "blindfold" chess with the |
| across from each other in the park, playing a | | | | teacher, who was a master. "Blindfold" means |
| game of chess.Well, it might sound surprising | | | | that the player is not looking at the board, |
| to you, but you can teach a baby to play | | | | and has to play the game out of memory. The |
| chess. It has shown to be extremely | | | | little boy played a whole game out of memory, |
| beneficial for children of all ages to learn | | | | and beat the master.The most successful |
| to play chess, and in addition, it is very | | | | children were the ones who started very |
| entertaining. It is impossible to describe | | | | early. Children who had an older sibling who |
| how much value a child gets from playing | | | | played Chess, or a parent who played Chess, |
| chess.When my son Eric was about 2 or 3, he | | | | and had the opportunity to watch the game |
| showed interest in board games, so I asked my | | | | when they were babies.If you have a baby, if |
| husband if he knew how to play chess. I | | | | possible let the baby watch people playing |
| didn't know how to play Chess at the time, | | | | Chess. Do you play Chess? Wonderful! Let the |
| but luckily my husband knew the basics, and | | | | baby watch. If you do not play Chess, find a |
| volunteered to teach little Eric. Eric took | | | | Chess club in your neighborhood, a park or a |
| to it immediately. One day, my husband and I | | | | coffeehouse and let the baby watch the games |
| walked into a computer store, to buy a piece | | | | as long as the baby is interested.Some babies |
| of hardware, and in the back room, we saw a | | | | will be fascinated and watch the game for a |
| person sitting in front of the computer, | | | | long time, some will watch just for a few |
| playing Chess. We started a conversation with | | | | minutes. No problem! Let the baby watch as |
| him, and found out that he was a Chess | | | | long as it wants. Even a few minutes will do. |
| teacher. When we came home, we asked Eric if | | | | Do it as often as possible.At home, have a |
| he would like us to find a teacher for him, | | | | Chess board around, and occasionally just |
| and he was very excited about it.After some | | | | show the baby the different pieces, and |
| looking around and making some phone calls | | | | mention their names. Do it a few times a day. |
| (now I know exactly who to call and where to | | | | This is a good start for a baby, to get |
| look) we found a new immigrant from Russia | | | | acquainted with the Chess pieces.When your |
| who was a gifted Chess teacher. Some of his | | | | child is ready (and the parents know best!), |
| students became very famous grandmasters. So | | | | you can show him how to move the pieces. A |
| we made an appointment with the teacher, and | | | | little bit a day will do. Make sure that the |
| he played a game of Chess with our baby. He | | | | child spends some time around Chess players |
| looked at us after the game and said, a | | | | and gets the opportunity to watch some |
| little bit amazed: "he is making all the | | | | games.For school age children, the best thing |
| right moves, it is amazing". Eric was 4 at | | | | to do is to sit with them, explain the game |
| the time, and the teacher took him on as a | | | | and play with them. If you don't enjoy Chess |
| student.Since then, Chess has been a part of | | | | or don't know how to play, you can find a |
| our life. Chess has enriched our lives a | | | | teacher, or a Chess club that accommodates |
| great deal. Thanks to Chess, we have traveled | | | | children.Here is a special word about girls |
| and seen some parts of the world and the | | | | and Chess: some of the best chess players are |
| country we would have never traveled to | | | | girls! Just look at the sisters Polgar, and |
| otherwise. Whenever we visited a new place, | | | | many other female chess players. If you have |
| we always looked for a street corner or a | | | | a girl, encourage her to play chess, it is a |
| coffee house where people play chess, and | | | | most beneficial activity for girls, as well |
| always met interesting people and made new | | | | as boys.There are many Chess computer games |
| friends. There is always something new to | | | | on the market, starting from very affordable |
| learn, and avid players spend a significant | | | | programs, like Chessmaster, and up to very |
| amount of time learning and practicing. Many | | | | expensive software and dedicated Chess |
| people find enjoyment in participating in | | | | computers. They are all fine, but remember - |
| tournaments.All over the country there are | | | | when your child plays with human beings, he |
| many chess clubs that encourage the | | | | learns much more and enjoys himself a lot |
| participation of children, and many | | | | more. It is a completely different |
| scholastic tournaments are taking place all | | | | experience. So take my advice, let your child |
| over the country. Players of all skill levels | | | | play with other children, or even adults. |
| are encouraged to play in tournaments, and | | | | Computer games can be a good addition.A good |
| players of similar skill levels are paired to | | | | place to start is the Chess Federation of |
| play with each other.What will your child | | | | your country. Here, in the US, we are lucky |
| learn from playing Chess?- He will learn how | | | | to have a very active Chess federation, and |
| to put together a plan, and follow up on it.- | | | | many Chess activities for young children. |
| He will learn to calculate a few moves ahead | | | | Here are some helpful links and resources: - |
| of time, based on memory and imagination.- He | | | | Ten Tips for Winning Chess - The US Chess |
| will learn how to concentrate.- He will learn | | | | Federation - The World Chess FederationFor |
| the difference between strategy and tactics.- | | | | the last 26 years, Esther Andrews has |
| He will learn to think before he acts. That | | | | studied, researched and practiced the ways to |
| every move has consequences.- He will learn | | | | develop a child's intelligence. She also |
| to play fair and to be courteous.- He will | | | | served as the principal of the School for |
| improve his visual memory and visual | | | | Gifted Education. As a result of this |
| discrimination.- He will learn how to follow | | | | experience, she developed her own method and |
| the rules.- He will learn to take | | | | philosophy, that proved to be extremely |
| responsibility.- He will learn to have | | | | successful with her own 2 highly gifted |
| patience.- He will develop his | | | | children. In her web site, , she helps |
| creativity.There are so many more benefits to | | | | parents develop their child's genius, and |
| studying and playing chess, that you will | | | | provide for their kids the opportunity to |
| have to discover for yourself.When we started | | | | achieve their maximum potential. |
| taking little Eric to a kids' Chess club, we | | | | |