How to Be (or Find!) the Best Chess Tutor for Your Kid
When your kid first shows an interest in chess, helping them learn is as easy as going over the rules and playing a game. Kids learn quickly, though, and you may soon find that their appetite for chess lessons exceeds simple instructions. If you find yourself wondering if a chess tutor could help your kid learn and grow as a chess player, read on.
Does Your Child Need a Chess Tutor?
Most young chess players do just fine without an individual chess tutor. Some signs that you may want to investigate a more formal program are a child who advances quickly, enjoys tournaments and competitive play, and has more questions than you can answer. Coaching may also help if a child is “stuck.” Sometimes, all it takes to jumpstart a stagnating player is insight from an experienced tutor.
Most parents will contemplate finding a coach after their chess kid has been to few tournaments and is interested in improving their official player rating. This is a good time to decide whether you want to take on that mantle or find an expert.
How Much Do You Know About Chess?
There are really two questions here—how much do you know, and how much are you willing to learn? It can feel intimidating to take on chess instruction if you’re not very familiar with the game yourself. If you’re a rank beginner, you can learn chess alongside your child. Many parents choose a program where they stay a few steps ahead of their chess kid. This helps to anticipate the next question or skill to be learned.
If you are already an avid chess player, you’re in a lucky spot! As your child progresses, remember that everyone has their own style of play. You may be a cautious player with a bold, risk-taking child, or vice versa. Leave room for your child to develop their own feel for the game and pace of learning.
DIY (Do-it-yourself) Chess Tutor Programs
There are as many ways to teach chess as there are chess players. If you’ve decided to be your kid’s chess tutor, you may intend to provide guidance as the opportunity presents during play. It’s a good idea to have a framework to work through, however. It will help you avoid holes in your child’s game and keep them on an even playing field with their competitors.
One time-tested approach is the Dutch KNSB Scholastic Chess Course. This course is broken into six steps, starting with the basics and building to advanced concepts for players ranked over 2100. Steps have a training manual and corresponding student workbook up to Step 6, which is structured for independent learning. Concepts are introduced in a logical order, building on previous lessons. Each step is available separately. Start with Learning Chess-Manual Step 1 and Learning Chess-Workbook Step 1.
If a classic chess course like the Dutch approach isn’t appealing to you, you may want to check out the free chess curriculum at ChessKid.com. This curriculum is designed to integrate with 21st-century skills, using methods familiar to kids. Each lesson includes diagrams, worksheets, and a puzzle or “mini-game” to reinforce the concept. This program works for group or 1:1 learning and is parent and novice-friendly. One big advantage is the cost—it’s entirely free at the link above. The disadvantage is that you will need to print each lesson individually and keep track of them.
Don’t overlook the importance of supplementary learning aids like puzzles! Chess puzzles are great for warm-ups and teaching patterns. It only takes a few minutes to do a puzzle, and they are very portable. Two popular books of puzzles for your chess kid are Chess Puzzles for Kids by Murray Chandler and Beginner Chess Tactics for Kids by Dave Schloss. More experienced kids can move to virtually any puzzle book, such as Two Knights Save the Day by Sergei Tkachenko.
Chess Clubs and Teams
If you don’t feel confident helping your chess player advance or they’ve exhausted your knowledge, a chess club or team in your area can provide an expanded learning experience. Chess clubs have regular meetings and offer both instruction and the opportunity to play and receive feedback. Even if you’ve decided to be your player’s primary coach, a chess club provides valuable experience and social opportunities.
To find a chess club in your area, start with the US Chess affiliate for your state (search YOURSTATE Chess Association). State chapters have searchable club listings that will help you find clubs near you. If your school has a chess club, even better! School chess clubs are convenient and low-cost.
Online chess clubs can be a valuable tool for developing chess skills as well. Along with structured lessons, online clubs have lobbies where kids can play against other kids anytime, including popular variations like rapid and blitz. Online chess programs have group lessons, recorded instruction, and often private coaching. Check out this option if you don’t live near an appropriate club or need something that fits into a busy schedule.
For more information about choosing a chess club for your young player, see our previous article, Choosing the Right Chess Club for You and Your Child.
Chess Coaching
If you think your young player would benefit from 1:1 coaching, your local chess club or school chess team is the place to start for recommendations. Larger clubs usually have coaches who work with students at the club. Small clubs may have a referral list. You can also refer to the US Chess Certified Chess Coach List for coaches who have met the requirements for official certification.
When considering a private chess coach, do the following before making a commitment:
- Have an introductory interview with the coach. Include your child in the interview and let them interact. Make sure your child is comfortable with the coach.
- Ask for references and follow-up with any provided. Ask about their child’s experience, results, and any concerns they may have had. If the coach works at a club or school, ask if a background check is routine.
- Familiarize yourself with the normal scheduling routine and location for lessons. Many parents are more comfortable with sessions in a busy club, library, or school where other people are present. You may want younger children to have their sessions in your home. Make sure the schedule and location works for you.
- Discuss fees up front. Coaching is typically by the hour, but if the coach is part of a school, they may travel to tournaments with a group of students. Be sure you know all combined costs fit your budget.
Once you’ve found a coach you like, get the terms of your coaching agreement in writing. This protects you and the coach from possible disagreements in the future.
A Note About Tournaments and Ratings
One of the most objective ways to measure progress for your chess kid is improvement in their individual chess rating. Chess parents sometimes go to great lengths to make those tournaments happen. This can be an up-and-down process, however, and too many tournaments too close together can drain all the fun out of chess. Spacing tournaments out to allow time for growth may give your player a more stable trajectory.
If your kid shows signs of being especially gifted at chess, you may attend back-to-back tournaments so they can progress in their rating as quickly as their game improves. That’s something to discuss with your chess coach, who can help you decide what makes the most sense.
Dig In, Reassess Periodically, and Make Adjustments
Whether you choose to take on the mantle of chess tutor yourself or bring in experts, you should step back occasionally to assess whether the arrangement is working. One, is your chess kid still enthusiastic about chess? Two, are you both happy with the progress your chess kid has made in knowledge, wins, rating, or ranking? Three, does the coach or school still fit your time constraints and budget? Finally, have your chess kid’s goals changed, requiring something new? Once you have a good picture of where you’re at, you can decide to stay the course or make a change.
Chess Education Comes in Many Forms
There’s no “one right way” when it comes to your chess kid’s development as a player. Don’t feel like you have to be a chess expert to be a mentor! Plenty of chess parents grow into that role. If you decide that a chess tutor is the right option, do your homework and keep an eye on the relationship to ensure it is and stays a good fit. Your chess kid can have a wonderful experience in chess on many different paths. Consider what works for your special player and see how they grow!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, of course! That answer has caveats, however. While there are many courses and study materials out there, your player needs to be self-motivated to use them independently. Kids often benefit from a routine and set expectations when learning. Also, it is very difficult to analyze the weaknesses in your own games. A knowledgeable observer is invaluable for this! If you think your player has the desire and focus to learn independently, go for it!
A quick survey around the web brought up hourly rates from $35 to over $100 for independent chess coaching. This is comparable to any individual sports coaching. Be sure to check out references and qualifications before making a commitment. You may be able to find tutoring through your club at a lower rate, or group lessons through a local school or recreation district. Some larger clubs offer coaching as part of their membership package. Check out your local library for materials to supplement your player’s learning program.
Chess coaching generally improves an avid player’s game dramatically, so if your kid is all in, the cost is probably worth it. For kids who are just getting started or simply want to have fun with chess, it’s overkill. If your kid shows a special talent for chess AND the desire to pursue it, it’s worth it. Just watch for burn out, very real in young kids today. Make sure it stays fun for your ambitious chess star as they pursue those wins!