What is the recommended age to introduce children to chess.?

Answer 1

Well, my nephew got a chess game for Christmas when he was 5! But he's real smart, so I suppose around then and they'll pick it up

Cheers
D*

Answer 2

There is no age related timing for this. It's a matter of how you go about it. I taught my children the names, placement and movement rules of each piece long before I knew they would understand the way the game is played. By teaching them over time this knowledge they were able to pick up the game play itself very quickly when I began to teach that part to them. Now each of my four children are accomplished chess players. Their ages now? 15, 14, 12, 10.

Answer 3

When they won't get frustrated with it.

Start by introducing them to the pieces -- explain their names (Rook/Castle, Bishop, Queen, King, Knight, Pawn) and why there are white pieces and black pieces.

When they are ready, show them how to set the board. Make it fun, and don't worry if they get it wrong the first few times. Once they get the setup mastered, start explaining how each piece moves. Go with the easiest ones first -- Pawn (moves 1 or 2 spaces forward for first move and then 1 space forward thereafter). Then move on to the Rook (forward, backwards, left, right). Then the harder concept of diagonal with the Bishop. Next, the Knight. Expect that to be tricky with young kids. Finally, the moves for the Queen (mirrors every move but the Knight's) and the King, including how important this piece is.

If your child shows interest in the game, and finds what he or she has learned "fun" then by all means, start playing!

Answer 4

i interested my children in my wife's chess around the age of 2 months.

Answer 5

I learned to play chess at four and I wish I had learned a lot earlier.

Answer 6

If they show an interest in it.

A good age is when they start asking you questions after seeing you play with your friends.

If you introduce it to them as something that you think will make them smarter, but you yourself don't play, they'll see right through the phoney baloney.

Answer 7

some children are reflective and think
they can learn the game earlier than the children who are restless.
observe aptitude and introduce accordingly

Answer 8

You should be reading strategy books to them while they are in the womb.

Who need's pacifiers, when you can just buy big pawns :).

Otherwise, I tried teaching my son at 7. He seemd to like it ok, but hasn't asked to play it again.

Answer 9

as young as possible, I would say at least 5-6 years old, I guess that's why I'm not a parent.

Answer 10

i started when i was 6...
but it would be better if it will be introduced earlier...