I thought I would start a new thread because I am curious just how many of your kids out there play chess.

After living and breathing chess with our son for 8 months, I know now that it is not just a stereotype that many chess players are HG. I have met so many parents, maybe some of you, and while we have chess in common, when talking further, there are many other issues we share in parenting these kids. Educating them seems to be the number one challenge!

If there are a significant number of kids out there who play regularly at regional or national tournaments, there may be a way to capitalize on that as a social networking opportunity for the kids, the parents or both!
Thanks

I got my DS11 playing with me at age 5, and he does occasionally play at school, but doesn't yet like it, and will only play with me as part of a bargain of some kind. I really like it, and am still trying to figure out how to use Playchess.com

I can still beat DS11, but we have exciting games. When he was 5 he had lots of trouble with 'flow of ideas' being too meager, and I think playing helped him both to develop lots of plans, gracefully change plans, and the value of following the suggested stratagies, because if he brings out his Queen early, I eat it for lunch!

Enjoy!
Grinity

My son(5) got a chess set for Christmas. His poor high-school age babysitter (who is probably HG) was forced to play with him 3-4 hours a day over Christmas break while he learned. The concept of the game is easy for my son--it's the strategy that he still needs to develop. I still easily beat him. I hate that I have been working a lot lately and haven't had a chance to play much chess with him. I also think my son would need a lot more practice before he starts playing with other kids.

My son absolutely loves the Fritz and Chester software.
The graphics are unbelievable and it really teaches them not only the rules but strategy and tactics, too.
There are three levels and we highly recommend them all.

Chess is popular with my kids, too. Last summer when we were going to Philadelphia, my sister told me about USA Chess Camp there and my boys wanted to attend. However we didn't have enough time. I contacted USA Chess and they're going to hold a camp this summer in my town!!!

Wow, you all make me enbarrased to admit this. I swear I am not an idiot... but my son was beating me regularly at age five, after he'd been playing for about a year. He's no savant, but he plays well and has far more ability to see ahead than I do.

He has not played a lot, other than a week of chess camp through USA Chess at age eight. He'd broken his arm and had to miss cub scout day camp that summer, so did the chess camp instead. It was a good experience, but all of the kids were pretty introverted and they didn't really make friends.

A homeschool mom in this area just started a chess club and ds reported that he won all three games he played at the first meeting. I'm hoping that he'll find future meeting a bit more competitive.

DS can beat me too. I know the "moves", but just can't plot the strategy. DS really only gets to play DH (okay) and my dad, who I'm convinced is a chess prodigy if not by innate ability then surely by persistence. When I was a kid, he would play by postcard with strangers, long before the internet was even a thought in someone's mind. I remember his ongoing games sitting up for weeks on end. He's used every available venue ever since (you should have seen the "old-fashioned" computerized versions!)

At last year's big Davidson event, DS beat the first three kids he played, but then a very serious boy sat down and DS was clobbered. I think he has a natural talent, but we've done very little to nurture it. I love the idea of a local club.

Thanks for the software tips!

My dd7 loves chess. My brother taught her to play over the summer and she's starting to get pretty good at it.

I've been meaning to teach ds how to play chess and I just haven't! I did get him the book "Checkmate in Chessland," which he played with interest. But I have to get a board, because our old one is missing about 6 pieces -- ds liked to play with them as a toddler.

I looked around for a local club, but there just aren't many available. I know how to play, but I'm no great shakes at it, which makes me hesitant to teach him. I should make ex-h teach him, he's fabulous at chess. Hmmm... I should ask him to.

Rats! I just noticed the glaring typo I made above. Time has expired for correction! Phooey.