Opposition...

How have we gotten to this point?

Mostly because I've been here before.

I can flatly state without any hesitation that the reason I have any interest in competitive chess whatsoever is because of Bobby Fischer.

I was six years old when he and Spassky went at it in 1972. My great uncle Ed (RIP, and thank you) was a pretty good chess player, and we went through every game together as they appeared in the newspaper. He taught me the rules, the moves, and the Ruy Lopez. (And maybe also the Giocco Piano – can't remember now.)

I remember spending a lot of time with Fred Reinfeld's Complete Chess Course.

My mom believed that, if nothing else, there were four things a child should learn to function in society: chess, bridge, golf, and I frankly can't remember the fourth right now. I did play bridge a bit in college, (we actually had eight guys in our dorm that could play – go figure) but dropped that. Chess stuck with me for a while, but I didn't really get serious about it until after high school. My fondest memory was playing in the 1985 US Junior Open in Berkeley. That, and hanging out for an afternoon during that tournament with Alexey (Rudolph) Root after playing way over my head and losing a tight game to a friend of hers rated something like 800 points higher than me. I remember her as a very friendly person – obviously it made an impression if I still remember it 27 years later.

Anyway, I remember the enjoyment I got out of chess, and I'm glad my kids are getting a kick out of it as well.

Once I realized the kids really did want to learn, and they were looking to me to teach them, it was clear I needed to find some materials to help out. I'm a technical writer for a living, so I'm used to writing tutorial-style information, but teaching kids is a WHOLE different kettle of fish.

Among my trove of old chess books (those that hadn't been sold off, at least) was a copy of the 2nd edition of Comprehensive Chess Course: Learn Chess in 12 Lessons (Fifth Enlarged Edition) (Vol. 1) (Comprehensive Chess Course Series) and Comprehensive Chess Course, Vol. 2: From Beginner to Tournament Player in 12 Lessons. It even included a hand-signed note from GM Alburt offering coaching opportunities should I be interested. Personal service like that is sadly lacking these days.

Anyway, I fired up Google and looked around for reviews on that book, and other possible training material for kids. I came across the Step-by-Step method I mentioned in my last post, and the reviews were good. Also, as the kids love playing on computers, I got a copy of Learn to Play Chess with Fritz & Chesster: Chess Complete 3-Pack for cheap on Amazon.

I let the kids loose on F&C while going through the Alburt course for our first two formal lessons. By then, the Step-by-Step material arrived, and we've switched over to that.

First clue I got that my daughter was “getting it”? We're playing a game one evening (w/ Queen odds) and we're in the endgame. I move my king up into opposition, and Megan says “Opposition...” I just looked at her, and said “Where on earth did you learn that?” “Fritz & Chesster!”

Okay, it's working.

My rule was, the kids get queen odds until they beat me, then they get rook odds, etc. They've now both beat me with queen odds, which means I obviously have to be paying better attention. I have a tendency to leave pieces hanging against them, and they're starting to see this and take advantage.

They're making good progress, and they're still very interested and enthused. Tonight, they'll be playing in a tournament for the first time – scholastic quads, G/30. They both wanted to play this morning, and they hadn't experienced a clock yet, so I had them play each other with my old analog clock. They got into the swing quickly.

Things I'm using to teach the kids:

Fritz & Chesster
Step By Step
Lev Alburt's course

The latter is good if you're teaching yourself. It takes you literally from “this is the chessboard” up through (allegedly) a Class C player or so by the end of volume 2. I know I'll be going through these lessons ahead of the kids as I re-teach myself the game while I'm teaching them.

In the next post, I'll go over the material I'm using to re-teach myself. The world is a much different place, now, and there's a TON of material out there.

The pieces are the same, but everything else has changed

A long time ago, longer ago than I'd care to admit, I used to play competitive chess. I never was very good, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. My rating, when I stopped playing, was 1245. Which, I guess, means that's still my rating. ("Once rated, always rated!" is the USCF motto.)

I put the books and game away, and moved on to other things. Role playing games, collectible card games, miniatures games, eurogames, and wargames have all graced my table at various times. The game-playing itch is a persistent part of my life, but I've certainly scratched it in a variety of ways.

After I became a father, I hoped I'd be able to pass on this love of gaming to my kids. I think the sorts of games I play are great for improving the way you think about things, solve problems, etc. Plus, they're great social devices, and teach a good sense of fair play.

So far, so good. The kids (ages 8 and 5.5 at the time I write this) have taken to games quite well, and frequently want to play something. It's been a very good thing to see.

Last year, we picked up a copy of "No Stress Chess." This is a standard (cheap) chess set with a deck of cards included. They claim this is an easier way to introduce the game of chess to kids, as they're not overwhelmed by choice - you can only move a piece matching what's on the card you drew. Yeah, it's pretty random, but the kids loved it. Soon, my daughter (the older of the two) was asking to play without the cards. And doing rather well, given her age. Both kids are very enthusiastic about the game. If you've got kids interested in learning the game, you could do a lot worse than picking up a copy.

This experience has triggered my re-interest. Of all the games I'd played over the years, I'd avoided abstract board games (things like the Gipf series, etc.) as I could feel myself starting to head down the analysis thought patterns I used when I played chess. And, for whatever reason, I just didn't want to go there.

Now, I think, it's time. I've gotten a bit frustrated with the poor shape wargame rules writing has fallen into, and I'm just ready for a switch. So, my kids and I are embarking back into the world of chess together.

I'm currently holding the role of coach for them, and we're using the Step-by-Step method used by the Dutch Chess Federation. The kids are really liking it so far. It's a bit of a challenge as there's a large difference in cognitive ability between ages 8 and 5.5, but my boy (the younger) is doing quite well for his age.

What has happened, though, is it's triggered my tendency to obsess with things. I've pulled out my old chess books (which have been in storage for years) and am re-teaching myself the game.

And, can I say, the entire chess world has completely changed in 20 years. The internet and computerized databases have revolutionized the way things work. It's a bit disorienting in many ways, but exciting. The amount of material available electronically is staggering. And, of course, it's changed the way you study as well. Servers like the Internet Chess Club can get you games at the drop of a hat, and you can sit in on GM-level tournament games an exhibitions.

It doesn't hurt that the US Open Championship is being held this year in my backyard. Gives me a target to shoot at.

I'll be using this blog as a diary chronicling our family's journey over the chessboard. How I go about re-teaching myself the game at age 46, and how I help my kids enjoy the game the way I know they can. Hopefully you can find something here to keep you coming back for more.