Ive taught my son to play chess, hes 10.
We have a game online sporadically sometimes.
The difference in ability is a hindrance.
If I deliberately lose pieces , he'll ask if im actually trying.
If I annihilate him , its soul destroying for him.
Sometimes the balance is right , ill tell him , ill deliberately lose a queen at the beginning to even things out, hes ok with that.
But the underlying problem is, the ability difference isnt really working.
We only play remotely and It must be Lichess.
Does anyone have any tips on how to keep it interesting etc..
play him at rook odds
@MrPushwood said in #2:
> play him at rook odds
or one minute vs five
Having taught a few people before I think its almost always a good idea to let people play at their level. This way they can still win without it seeming manufactured. It is also much easier to teach people under these circumstances because you can focus entirely on explaining what their thought process should be and correcting any systemic errors in their play. It sounds like your circumstances require it to be remote, and something like this could still work over a voice call. Instead of being a competitive activity it could be more of a bonding activity.
I will say that when my dad taught me how to play chess he used to give me material odds. Slowly the amount of material he gave me decreased as I got older. But it was more of a competitive activity so I didn’t get that much better because the focus of playing wasn’t trying to teach me the proper strategies. Recently I have become far far better than my dad ever was and I still play with him occasionally. I give myself time odds, say 45 seconds to 5 minutes. This keeps things interesting for both of us while also keeping our win rates fairly balanced
@charlie2charlie Don't lose deliberately.
From what you are saying, he needs improvement in his play else there is nothing to do.
For that, there is a lot of resources on Lichess.
lichess.org/learn,
lichess.org/practice,
lichess.org/trainingGet him engaged to these activities which will be beneficial to him.
Also, make him play games at Lichess as he would find similar rated players to compete with.
All the best!
#1
I've had this issue many times. Giving some kind of piece odds makes the game feel artificial. Time odds have not worked for me either because I can think on their time.
You might try playing together against a computer program. I've done this online with people before by using a study. Set the study up as desired, with or without analysis and opening explorer. Set the study to SYNC mode. Invite the other person to the study by making them a member. Get some kind of voice set up. Play the move of the computer program, and then discuss the response. After deciding on a move, make it in the study, make it in the computer program, and continue.
Using a study will avoid any kind of 'cheat' detection from Lichess, and you will be allowed to do it as you please - using opening explorer or not, using Stockfish or not, doing 'takebacks' if desired, etc.
[Edit: I also agree that you should not lose deliberately if you do play against him.
There is a commercial product, which I'm not associated with at all, called 'No Stress Chess'. It allows various versions of chess played with cards. The cards say what piece you have to move. It is possible to set up the rules for that game so that the weaker player has more cards in their hand at all times than the stronger one. That kind of 'odds' works well. However, I've found that almost everyone does not want to play this type of game because they want to be able to move any piece they want! And allowing them to do that, while the stronger player has to move only a piece determined by the cards in their hand, is a *huge* advantage.]
I sometimes play kid beginners offering 'one of every kind'. A pawn, a rook, a knight, a bishop and the queen. It reassures them that there is a rule and that they are meant to win. Also important: The set up makes it clear that they are expected to blunder lots of material, and that beginning with chess is about the journey to see how this happens all the time. And to go on and win. If they succeed, odds can be lowered.
Good idea
@Politics_Matter to have a voice call. It would mean company during the game, if only in "breathing atmosphere", coughs, sighs, laughs. Or play the game first and have a post mortem call afterwards.
Time odds, give him 10 mins and you play 1 min. He will understand your crazy blunders due to time trouble and you wont even have to fake it. I did that with my kids OTB using a clock. Absolutely great laugh. And eventually I had to increase my time because I was getting crushed. Its also encouraging when he sees you need more time.
It is best as an instructor to not intentionally ever lose. You lose all credibility and kids resent you taking pity on them. A good way to play is to wait until the kid blunders, pause the game, turn the board around. Tell them if they can find their blunder you'll let them take it back, otherwise they are going to lose. Also blindfold chess is really exciting for kids... Pretty decent handicap.
Play online games together, let them know they can only make a move after explaining to you why they are making such move. Rather than suggest moves, ask questions about their position and have a discussion, but let them play what they want.
Set goals "If you can play X moves without blundering material you get Y". "If you get castled I'll give you a handicap" ect. Whatever you are working on reward success at a smaller goal than checkmate.
Also be clear the point of playing you is so they can learn enough to defeat people at their own age. Make some boast how if they ever beat you for real you'll do something super embarrassing, but let them know you'll never let them win. Invite other kids over to play form a mini chess club. Limit screen time on TV/entertainment systems in daily life that have no inherent value, make chess an exception to this rule where they every so often get to circumvent the normal rules if they play seriously with you (not all or most of the time, just on occasion). Kids will often do anything to stay up an extra hour before bed, or to get out of something they'd rather not do.
Also over exaggerate their blunders not in a harsh way, but they and make it comical and slightly embarrassing. The "Whhaaaaat? You want me to gooble free queens today? It isn't even my birthday, THANK YOU" always drew roars at the chessclubs I taught.
Also let your kid know that you understand when you beat him that it is hard. Let him know that the drive to win and be competitive is one of the greatest traits a male can have... long as they put in the effort to avoid losing in the future. Explain the difference between those who throughout life because they didn't study and those that take time out of their life to master something to avoid losing and the differences it can make in life outcomes not just in chess but in any aspect of their life. Be clear that their dislike of losing can be a great thing if channeled properly, but they have no right to be upset if they refuse to put any work in. No one wins at anything important in life without competing with others who have opposing interests.
Kids love chess, spend time watching videos, practicing tactics. Never forget, kids ALWAYS learn fastest when they are having fun. So try to be light hearted when you are pushing them to be better. Make fun of a position/piece and never the person making the mistake. Make sure they know they'll be rewarded for working hard. Let them play some inferior opponents online. Animal studies show that any species will not play a game they don't win at least 30% of the time. So budget your games in a way that lets them beat up on a few people. You never want them to lose more than 3/10 games is a pretty good rule of thumb to keep them interested. Switching to a puzzle or playing someone lower rated can often build that confidence.
Anyways, the important thing is that you teach the importance of study while making it fun as possible. Kids learn super fast so be prepared to be beaten in a year or two if you teach them everything you know, because they'll eventually learn both what you know and what you don't know.
Well, you can give him hints during the game. If he blunders maybe ask him, of he really would like to play this move. If he recognize the blunder and the reason why it is a blunder, let him take back. If not, do what has to be done.
I am a teacher at chess in school, my rating may suggest that kids with an age under 10 have some trouble tio get any wins against me normally. I don't think this is a serious problem as long as you tell them honstly if they have played good (for their level of course) or not. Tell them if they play bad, thats neccessary to make them believe in your compliments.
If he takes time to think this is good. If he struggles zo find a move, tell them to control the center and to find a better position for the worst placed piece. And you are playing online, you don't have a clue if he tired or feels well. Tired kids are bad at chess.
Anyway if he has played good yesterday you can assume that his next performance will be quit bad. So have patience. It is important that he develops some trust in his self. Not only for chess, itis important for life.
So if he plays a really good game compared to what you have seen normally make sure that he feels that you are proud of him.
