The Kids' First Chess Tournament, By Andrew

We started with moving a rook straight on the board. Later came the bishop which goes diagonally, which was harder for the kids to say correctly than perform with the pieces. The queen can do either. Kings go one square anywhere. Knights jump in like an "L" shape. And pawns have their own story.

I introduced the kids to chess mainly because I enjoy the game and wanted them to learn and enjoy it too. Its merits have been listed out many times before, but a few that are in front for me are: exercising of one's attention span and patience, consideration of consequences before acting,  and basic reasoning skills (eg: "if I make this move, then he'll be able to make that move, so I'll need to ...").

The organization Spacecoast Scholastic Chess has a monthly competition in the school days and we decided to try it. They've really thought out how to make it inviting. They use a Swiss-system to pair the players, which basically means that the rounds self-adjust to match players of equal skill. For example if a player loses their first round, their second round will be against another player with a loss. This effort continues through all five rounds. They're also very flexible even after the tournament starts, allowing players to leave (and have bye) if the tournament director is notified in advance. 

The round is about to begin!

Both kids started with a loss. But I was so proud of them for having completed their game and given a solid effort. Prior, I was careful to emphasize that this is what Rachel and I found most important. And we bribed them with sweets. Yes, Moo's ice cream awaited them if they completed all five rounds.

Elek realizes he's forked.

Beata surveying the game!

As the next rounds progressed, Rachel and I realized that the most valuable thing they were learning was from the other players and parents around them. Everyone had the best attitude, independent of the games' outcomes. It was sportsmanship. Beata, who at home would lose her composure when her game went south (especially against her brother), somehow kept it together. Elek even befriended and played with an opponent who beat him in a previous round. Playing the game and participating in the event is enjoyable; losing or the inability to be the best shouldn't interfere with that. They even watched their dad lose to some skilled 9-year-olds!

Remember the touch rule!

The power is in the pinkies!

Due to low turnout for the K-1 section, their play is mixed with K-3 (up to third graders) so it was a rough day. I'm so especially proud of Beata who completed all her games despite the attention and composure limits that accompany her mere three years of age. She won only once (and we learned later that her opponent failed to report an illegal move), drew once, and lost three. Elek won twice, drew once, and lost twice. Again, Spacecoast Chess made it very inviting for newcomers by awarding all first time attendees with medals. Since Elek and Beata were scored within K-1, their few victories were even sufficient for trophies!

We can hardly eat! Bellies are full of ice cream!

The only downside was that it was a LONG day. But it was worth it, and we plan on doing it again in October down in Vero Beach. I really like the idea of the kids learning that their practice in the meantime can influence their outcomes in the next event. The concept of working towards something, even if it is just a game in this case.