Tips to help my 10ds become a chess master.

[Walkingwithdinosaurs]

DS was gifted a chess board for Christmas. Since then he’s been playing non stop against anyone willing to join him.

he absolutely loves it and has become very good in a short space of time. He says he’s likes the strategy of the game.

we’ve been watching lots of YouTube for tips etc but is there anything that anyone else can recommend to encourage and help him along?

He wants to do really well at it and ofcourse has ideas of becoming a GM. I think he’s still young enough that he could certainly become a great player. We are very rural thought and there isn’t any groups he can join locally not even at school.

There are online chess competition sites like chess.com and Fide which he’ll probably enjoy. And join the ECF and play online to get a ranking.

https://englishchessonline.org.uk

I just Googled 'chess club <my county>' and got a couple of hits, so maybe try that.

Ds was given a book “How to Beat Your Dad at Chess” which he found really helpful.

It would be worth asking the school to start a club. Ours was always receptive to suggestions for new clubs.

Chess dot com is hugely popular. It is a great way to learn and I am told you can see tips and feedback after the game to see where you went wrong etc.

Sign up to chess.com - they have lots of chess puzzles, teach you about different openings, and lots of theories and strategies. There is some content available for free and you can also get a paid membership.

Chess.com would be the best place to play online.

Nothing like over the board real tournaments though. You say there's nothing local, but your county should have an organisation with junior clubs. Of he really gets into it, many chess parents spend weekends travelling around the country to tournaments, but it best to join a club.

Have a look at this:

www.englishchess.org.uk/

It will explain how to join, get rating etc.

Thank you all very much. I’ve put a post up on FB and found a local chess club. Ds is a shy child but I think this might help him.

we’ve downloaded chess.com and he’s playing away and delighted with it.