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Finding a chess club for a 5-year-old

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lsanger

Hi all, this is my first post on Chess.com.  I'm a casually interested hobbyist and have taught the rules to my 5-year-old, and now he wants to get out and play with other little kids.  What's your recommendation for how to go about doing this?  I sent off some emails to addresses I found via http://main.uschess.org/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,198/

I'm looking for broader strategy on getting my son into chess, if he wants to (and he seems motivated).  Should I look for a class?  Just a club?  Competition?  (He barely has patience to finish a game.)  Should I look for something specifically kid-friendly, or can I expect some adult-mainly groups to have some kids to play?  I'd like to get some face-to-face playing in myself.

If it helps, we're 25 minutes southeast of downtown Columbus, Ohio.

DimKnight

This might be a good place to start: http://main.uschess.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=198

Not knowing exactly where you are, it's hard to know whether there's a group actually nearby you; moreover, these USCF club lists are often out of date. But I'd send some emails to the addresses on the list--chances are, evven if these clubs aren't active anymore, the people involved will know where chessplayers gather in your area.

I wouldn't worry so much about finding something just for kids. If you can, like a program at your son's school, then great. If not, just get him into an environment where people are moving pieces and slamming clocks. If he is motivated to learn, he might be really sparked by that energy. I've played against a lot of kids in my local group, and for the most part the interactions have been OK. The only time it's a problem is if the parents are overbearing.

A short anecdote: a few months back I was playing at the local library (also a good place to look for a kids' chess group!), and noticed that one up-and-comer was hanging around from the morning kids' session, probably hoping to play with the grownups. I played black against him, a French Defense line where black can snatch a pawn at the cost of his queen. The kid saw I didn't take the pawn and asked why. I played through the sequence several times to try and let him find it--which he did--and he was having a good time. But then he got burned out and it was time for him to pack it up, so we shook hands and he said thanks. His mother, however, scolded him (in Chinese, though a scold is a scold in any language) and he slunk back to the board for another game. He played very sloppily, head bowed, no joy. But clearly, from his mother's perspective, he hadn't learned enough that day, or something. It's sad, really.

lsanger

But playing with a 5-year-old, or mine anyway, is a little too much like babysitting.  He wants to keep playing, but he keeps getting up from the board because he has so much energy.  It's nice anyway to note that open chess clubs might still be good for him.  I think I'll just take him to one and see what happens.

Thanks for the reminder re overbearing parenting.  With music and chess, I guess I'm pushing very gently, but if he shows that he isn't interested, we'll back off and try a different tactic.  I'd never send my son back to play joylessly with other people...

raghav8

Hi Isanger,

I too have a 5 year old kid starting with chess and am looking for similar aged kids to play. I am in India though :)

Will it make sense to allow them to play on chesskid.com. We can even make the kids have a brief "hello" on gtalk or skype if need be.

Your views?

- Raghav

lsanger

Let me look at chesskid.com and get back to you.  Thanks for the invite!

Jim_V

A Free and Safe Chess Club for Kids (On ChessKid.com)

--Jim