Preparing for Castling

Chess Club is one of my favorite volunteer activities. It gives my kids a chance to think in other ways...besides the obvious. In Chess you have to be strategic and methodical...two ways of thinking my girls don't always utilize. I think it helps with Math and in problem solving "real life" situations. This club is so fun because everyone is on the same level and you can see how every kid's brain works to solve problems. Today, he was prepping the kids for castling.

So, the girls play. Isa's been playing since 1st grade and Nana's started this year - she hadn't shown interest until this year. Here's the kicker...she is grasping that she isn't just going to move around pieces she has to think about the pieces and where they are going. Nana pouted because she wanted to just play...Coach Hristo made her re-do her moves until she thought one step ahead of her first move. By the end, she succeeded.

We start off with a video - on basic moves.

Coach Hristo stops explains and then moves on.

Cousin Luc and Isa playing against each other. Coach came by and saw that Isa was winning...he told her "it isn't about winning - you know you will. It's about using all the pieces and trying different moves to win." Being strategic and methodical. Isa smiled (because she's had Coach for the last 3 years) and said "I know."

I should probably mention they are just setting the board up here...

The little boy she's playing against is a Kindergartner...boy, does he know Chess! He says he's a beginner but he instantly got what castling was and used it immediately in the game I oversaw. I brought Coach over and he was impressed at the beginners strategies as well.

This is so exciting to bring this to their new school and have the enthusiasm and participation we've had. The parents have been supportive and I love being a part this fun club!

Happy Chess Playing!