How do I get my child excited to learn chess?



A fun new way to teach your kids

A fun new way to teach patience and strategy


Chess has been linked to countless benefits, everything from critical thinking to emotional intelligence and grit. But chess can also carry an old stigma of being stuffy, elitist, boring and impossible to learn. The first part is true. The second part doesn’t have to be.

I’ve spent the last decade plus teaching hundreds of kids, as young as three years old, how to play chess, and more than 100,000 children across the globe have successfully learned the game through my educational company Story Time Chess.

If you’ve been thinking about introducing chess to your child, here are some tips to help you get started, make learning fun and spark that love of the game:

Think tee ball, not the major leagues. When I tell people children as young as three years old can learn how to play chess, they immediately think their child will become a grandmaster overnight. Toss that notion out. Think about how we teach children how to play baseball: you start with tee ball and teach them the basics first.

Take it one piece at a time. Chess is a complicated game. We recommend introducing children to one game piece at a time using the “Russian Method” of learning chess. Over time, you can layer in new pieces and concepts. This is known as a scaffolding building blocks approach.

Savor the “ah-ha” moments. Children learn best through self-discovery or “ah-ha” moments. Teach them the “why” in additional to “how” the pieces move and they’ll learn the rules of the game before you know it.

READ MORE: Five good reasons to play board games with your children

Teach good posture. We tell children to make a “Thinking Cup.” If you sit up tall, clap your hands together, open them up to make a cup (with the bottom of your palms together) and rest your chin in your hands, you can really focus on the board and think about your next move. This stance also teaches young children how to sit still, concentrate and establish self-control.

Use a story-telling approach. Historically, chess was taught to 7-year-old mathematically inclined boys in a very repetitive and serious fashion. Try a fresh approach that engages any child ages 3 and up who loves stories with silly characters, action, and adventure with Story Time Chess: The Game, now available at storytimechess.com and on Amazon for $39.99.

Don’t be afraid to get silly! I have a background in children’s theater and kids really tune in and engage when you speak their language. We do “chessercises” with kids where after learning how a chess piece moves, we’ll act it out and role play. We’ll even dress up if it means a few extra laughs and a more memorable lesson.  

Jon Sieber is co-founder of Story Time Chess, which has successfully taught kids as young as three years old how to play chess all around the world through its innovative teaching method and silly story-based curriculum. The company offers private tutoring, virtual lessons, and its multi-award-winning board game Story Time Chess: The Game is a cult classic among parents.


Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • Understanding 'Warning Strokes'

    What to expect if you experience stroke symptoms, even if they disappear

    Diagnosing a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a “warning stroke,” can be challenging because symptoms often disappear within an hour. However, it’s important to seek emergency assessment to help prevent a full-blown stroke. read more »
  • Managing your family's year-round health

    Protect everyone from infectious diseases

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccines help create protective antibodies that fight off infections. read more »
  • What to know about Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

    treatment can help control symptoms and improve quality of life

    Each year, an estimated 500-1,000 people nationwide are diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). While there’s currently no cure, treatment can help control symptoms and improve quality of life. read more »
  • Bring back family bonding this fall

    3 ways to free up busy schedules to spend time with loved ones

    Busy fall schedules often leave little time for the things that matter most – sharing special moments with those you love. This year, as time seems to speed up during another school year, making family bonding a priority in your household can start with a few simple tricks. read more »
  • Top tips for a more organized kitchen

    Save time and money

    Better organization in the kitchen means spending less time searching for the right ingredient or tool so you can have more time for savoring meals with family and friends, and more time for personal pursuits. read more »
  • 6 small, kind gestures to make a big impact each day

    Performing acts of kindness improves individual well-being

    Everywhere you look, you can see moments of kindness. From a friend sending a thoughtful text message to a stranger holding the bus for someone running late or a person paying for someone else’s coffee, acts of kindness happen every day. read more »
  • Keeping babies safe

    Tips to help prevent some of the biggest dangers

    Tips to help prevent some of the biggest dangers for babies include safe sleeping habits, product recalls, baby proofing & car safety read more »
  • Tips to get tour student prepped for college entrance exams

    Help get your teen ready

    Is the SAT or ACT on the horizon for your high schooler? A lot of emphasis is placed on college entrance exams, and your child may be anxious about their scores. read more »
  • More than two-thirds of Americans plan to get a flu shot this season

    CVS Pharmacy® and MinuteClinic® encourage consumers to get an annual flu shot and stay up to date on routine vaccinations

    CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) is prepared to meet patients' vaccination and other preventive health care needs as flu season approaches. CVS Pharmacy® and MinuteClinic® are offering the annual flu vaccine at locations nationwide. CVS Pharmacy is also offering the new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, which has been approved for adults ages 60 and up. read more »
  • 10 phrases to say to children every day

    Instill valuable life skills and boost their self-esteem

    As parents, you play a pivotal role in shaping your child’s character, confidence, and overall development. Every interaction is an opportunity to instill valuable life skills and boost their self-esteem. read more »