newbies - mother and son.

Making him an account here would be a good idea.

Well, I don't really know if you are "asking something" but I recommend you to find a GOOD book about general chess, where you can learn about the game. You can look for interesting games and them showing to your son, so that you could learn together the keys of the game.

If you (or him) like solving chess tactical puzzles, that's also a very good habit and do NOT, definitely NOT, "study" or "look at" ANY theory

Depending on your financial situation of course, you might consider getting a diamond membership here.  The Chess Mentor really is a marvelous way to learn chess, much more efficient than books (although books are still necessary), and would give you both a structured way to learn about chess.  The newer courses really do a marvelous job of explaining not only the problems at hand but why wrong answers are flawed.  Nice bonding experience if you  did the courses together, but if he's as talented as you say he is, it could be a mite embarassing as well. 

Actually, now that I think of it, gold and platinum members can now get a taste of Chess Mentor with 3 or 5 lessons a day.  Might be a good way to check it out without making a full commitment.

You've made the correct start, now Play, Play Play! & stay away from Blitz games for now, he doesn't need time pressure at this stage. Choose a time limit that doesn't pot him under pressure.

Oh yeah, I almost missed the most important thing, as soon as you think he is ready get a scorebook & record Every Game, then play over the losses & check the mistakes against the books or post them on here for help.

I recommend Seirawan's Winning Chess series books. You can buy or borrow them from the local library.

Perhaps reading this article could be good. http://www.chess.com/article/view/after-the-rules-what-should-beginners-study-next

Martin0 - many thanks for the article. I'm very confused about stalemate - when it is and when it isn't. I've posted in the end game forum looking for more advice and links on this topic - quoting the Legal's mate that is presented in your link.

Having a 5 year old grandson myself , I am very pleased to hear that your son picked up the game so well. This encourages me to teach my grandson when and if he is ready.

Congratulations on discovering the game early enough just in time for your son to really have a great start.

Have you created your ChessKid.com account yet?

=> http://ChessKid.com

You get to have a kid and parent account there and it should prove fun and very rewarding in chess progress for the both of you! 

^

Bump so the mother and other parents of Chess Kids can find this valuable resource in my post above to help them.

Your son sounds like many of the past great grandmasters, bobby fischer and anand

It doesn't at all

I think it's awesome that you and your son are learning chess together! It should be a lot of fun through the years.  That is, until you get to the point that you can't beat him anymore.

Above all, it is just a game.

well, you chose the right website, it is like a second home to me, i guess i share it with a few trolls but it is usually a great place.