Chess, mini-games and a Pic & mix

By Hari Neocleous @the_maths_nuts

A mini-intro to chess

Chess is a game of strategy played on an 8x8 board. There are two players. Each player has their army of 16 pieces. There are six types of pieces, the pawns, rooks, knights, bishops, the king and queen. The aim of the game is to trap your opponent’s king, this is called ‘checkmate’. The original game of chess, dating back 1500 years, was known as ‘Chaturanga’ and originates from India.

and challenge myself. It’s a wonderful way for children to develop concentration skills. Students will often tell me that their ‘brains are working hard’. It can be intense and some children feel a sense of pressure as they try to win. But coping with pressure, losing and winning graciously are areas children should explore.

What are chess mini-games?

With longer and brighter days ahead, you may be thinking of a new family hobby or club for your little one. I want to tell you about the beautiful game of chess. There are so many benefits to playing chess, think of it as a pick and mix sweet bag. Take your pick from developing social skills, confidence, concentration skills, memory, decision-making skills, problem solving and more. There are different benefits for different children that’s why chess is so amazing.

The benefits of chess

At the top of my list is the social connection chess gives our children. In a world of gadgets and increasing screen time chess is a welcome pastime. Chess connects us socially. Making friends is easy across the board. It’s a universal game, all backgrounds and ages can come together and enjoy it.

Growing up, chess was a wonderful hobby that calmed my overactive mind. I loved the focus, the competitive factor and the way it gave me an edge. My brother taught me when I was in primary school. Chess allowed me to think creatively, be analytical

Another benefit of chess is problem solving. Through games, key questions and carefully planned tasks children develop problem solving and critical thinking skills. They make decisions throughout, using initiative and communicating ideas. How does this piece move? Where should I move it? How can I attack, which pieces are undefended? At some point during the game, they have to look at what they have and where their opponent is weak and devise their master plan. How can I trap the king? Being able to ‘see’ this opportunity is a big deal. Chess teachers explore many end games so students can recognise how and when they can create a checkmate or avoid it for their own king. There is so much to think about in a game of chess. Lessons teach children to play strategically. There are puzzles, board positions and famous games to study.

Mini-games are a big part of how young children learn to play chess. We avoid setting up the board with all the pieces at first. There are two types of chess minigames I want to tell to about. There are mini-games where you focus on one or two pieces only. Games are five or ten minutes long. You learn how a piece moves and captures and then you play. For example, in ‘Pawntastic’ (or ‘All pawns versus all pawns’) the winner is the first person to get a pawn to the other side. You can also win by blocking your opponent, if it’s their move and they cannot move any of their pawns you win! It sounds simple but the beginner player is planning and visualising moves, capturing, blocking and defending. They’re taking their first steps in strategic play.

Chess mini-games allow a child to learn in small bite-size chunks. Having a forty-minute game when you’re first starting out is tough so mini games are ideal. The quick pace means happy and excited students. More experienced students can of course move onto full games. There is no rush for your child to learn chess. Learning the game takes time and there are many gains along the way. (By the way, the journey never ends, you can learn chess for the rest of your life. There are endless books, courses, YouTube channels and people to follow on TikTok). Chess teaches you the power of self-study and perseverance.

I also tell my students that chess imitates life. A game of chess is about the journey.