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


  • Get Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs

    Third Annual Orange County District Attorney’s Office Youth Fishing Derby

    The Third District Attorney’s Office Youth Fishing Derby will run from April 1 through Sept. 4, 2023. The event is open to young people between the ages of 4 and 18 who are children or grandchildren of Orange County residents. read more »
  • Kids aren't eating fruits and veggies

    Happiest Baby's Dr. Harvey Karp has tips to change that

    A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that approximately 32% of 1- to 5-year-olds did not eat a single piece of fruit a day and nearly one half (~49%) didn't eat any vegetables a day. Roughly 51% drank a sugar-sweetened beverage, like fruit drinks or soda, at least once a week. read more »
  • 5 sleep habits essential for heart health

    Make sure you get your zzz's with these tips

    In the days following a time change due to daylight saving time, research shows a marked increase in heart attacks and strokes. However, losing sleep anytime can be a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. read more »
  • Take these 6 steps to manage your blood pressure

    Hypertension can be dangerous

    High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects nearly half of adults in the United States, and only about 1 in 4 with this condition have it under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). read more »
  • Make your St. Patrick's Day spread green with envy

    These open-faced noshes can be perfect for lunch, snack time or an appetizer

    Freshen up your St. Patrick’s Day menu with easy, light sandwiches inspired by the traditional color of the festivities. These open-faced noshes can be perfect for lunch, snack time or even as an appetizer for get-togethers with friends and family. read more »
  • Lucky mint brownie perfection

    A twisted combination of mint and sweet chocolate

    How lucky you must be to come across this recipe just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. This one is a twisted combination of mint and sweet chocolate that’s sure to have almost anyone’s taste buds screaming “yum.” This dessert might just be the pot of gold at the end of your rainbow this year. read more »
  • 3 ways parents can encourage social emotional learning in children

    Parents focus on social emotional skills, mental health, kindness and understanding differences

    Most parents would agree the quality of their children’s education plays a key role in their overall development. While parents are optimistic about the future of education, they also recognize children have educational needs beyond what is considered the standard. read more »
  • Selecting a health care provider

    Resources to guide your selection

    Getting health care for yourself or a loved one is a big responsibility, especially if you’re just getting started with Medicare or have changes in your life, such as a new diagnosis of a condition or disease. It can be overwhelming if you need services like nursing home care, have to find a new doctor or get home health care. read more »
  • 5 simple solutions for proper nasal hygiene

    Keep your nasal passages clean, clear and moisturized

    Your nose is essential for conditioning the air you breathe and serves as the first line of defense against dust, pollution, bacteria, viruses and more. The presence of these substances in your nasal passages can trigger infections, disease and illness. read more »
  • Have a bump on your foot?

    Don’t ignore it

    Have a lump or bump on your foot? Whether it’s painful or not, it could potentially signal a serious condition. Foot and ankle surgeons warn it’s important to have it checked out, no matter its size or location on your foot. read more »