Questions from Parents and Coaches

Artwork by Mike Magnan

Questions from Parents and Coaches

1. I have two chess playing children at home. My wife and I do not play chess very well. Can chess software help my children? (Vinay from Toronto, Canada)

Absolutely! This is a great thing about chess in the 21st century. There are many chess software out there that can play at very strong levels. It is like having a grandmaster at home 24/7.

However, there are things you should be aware of. Chess programs do not understand certain chess position very well even though they are nearly flawless in tactics and combinations.

Therefore, you may want to find a local, qualified coach when your children reach a certain level in chess. If you want to introduce chess to young children, a very good DVD is Learn Chess in 30 minutes.

2. Which chess software do you recommend? Fritz, Rybka, Houdini, Junior, Shredder, Chessmaster? (B. Castilla from Tampa, Florida)

To be honest, unless you are a professional player, you can hardly find the difference between them. They are all very strong. I think it is just a matter of preference. Chessmaster is just a small notch lower in strength. Any of them can be great playing partners.

3. Can you recommend good books on chess tactics? (Anonymous from Brooklyn, New York)

It actually depends on the level of the players. For beginners, I recommend World Champion’s Guide to Chess. It has all the most important tactical motifs. The next one up would be Chess Tactics for Champions. I wrote both of these books based on my personal learning and teaching experience of over 30 years. They are also very affordable at only $17.95 each.

4. Should I enter my 6 year old daughter in an all-girls chess tournament? (Judith from Sacramento, California)

Sure. If your daughter is not intimidated playing against boys her age or a little older, let her play in both: mixed tournaments and all-girls. If she has a confidence problem, start her out in all-girls event so she can feel more comfortable with the environment.

The annual Susan Polgar National Open for Girls is coming up in early June in the beautiful city of New Orleans. This could be a fun one for your daughter and the whole family.

For those who live in Virginia, there is an all-girls event coming up this week.

5. How do I start a scholastic chess club in my area? (Javier from New Mexico)

This is a very good question. You can contact your school to see if you can have an after-school scholastic chess club. This is what many parents have done. It can be done at the cafeteria or library after school. Some parents started a scholastic chess club at a local café, restaurant or book store. If you need further help, you can send me a private e-mail. I may be able to give you a hand with more ideas.

6. What chess server(s) or sites do you recommend?

There are a number of good chess servers and websites. The most famous playing sites are of course ICC (Internet Chess Club) and Play Chess (Chessbase). As of websites, I frequently visit Chessdom.com, Chessbase.com, TWIC, etc.