Amazon.com - item details
With this revolutionary chess teacher, you'll be playing the world's greatest game in no time at all! Unlike any other chess teacher, No Stress Chess teaches you how to play using illustrated cards and an illustrated two-sided game board. Includes two-sided chess board, 17 charcoal pieces, 17 ivory pieces, 56 action cards, black plastic card tray and instructions. For two players.
2 sided game board, one side with hints, one without
16 Staunton chess pieces (ivory & black)
56 action cards, card tray and rules
Learn while you play
Growing up I always thought it would be cool to play chess, but I never had anyone to teach me. At the age of 24 I was working as a nanny, and the 6-year-old was seeing a therapist. His therapist tried teaching him chess, and amazingly, he GOT it - and this kid really struggles with understanding cause and effect or thinking before acting. So chess was a great thing for him. I bought a set and quickly learned how to play so that we could play together at home. We had a blast!
Fast forward two years, and I'm now working as a TSS for autistic kids. As I was playing some games with the older kids I see, I wondered if they could benefit from learning chess, too. I am still a complete novice (I don't know any strategy or famous moves or anything) but I saw No Stress Chess at Barnes & Noble and thought "That might just work!" I asked my 8-year-old client if he would like to try it, and he caught on really quickly. He would take turns playing with me or his older sister - him playing nicely with his sister was one of the treatment objectives ;-) - and it didn't take long for him to be able to point out to her how she could move her pieces, without looking at the directions on the cards. But if the kids forgot, there was an easy reminder right there. After a while he said he was getting bored, so I told him there was a "Level 2," and he and his sister kept on playing. I have also played this with another 8-year-old and her 6-year-old brother. I give them a little coaching at the beginning, showing them what their choices are or pointing out smart moves or dangerous situations. At my last session it took them over half an hour to finish the game, which is a very long time for my client to attend to anything!
I love the way the levels of gameplay ease you in to this rather daunting Game of Kings. As a TSS, I am familiar with recognizing the complexity of everyday tasks and how they need to be broken down step-by-step to teach most autistic kids. This game reminds me of that process, giving limited choices until you are capable of handling the freedom of the real game.
Let me tell you, it is SO COOL to see kids who are usually glued to their TV or DS screens actually beg to play chess. I recommend this for anyone who wants to learn or teach the game of chess, regardless of age!
I bought this to tie in to our homeschool unit on the Middle Ages. This is brilliant! I am one of the few non-chess players in my family and for years I wanted to learn but was intimidated by their greatness. My husband, father and two brothers all played at tournament level and one brother is master class. I felt like such a dope when I tried to learn. For years I knew how the pieces moved and how to set up the board and that was all. NO MORE! Tonight I BEAT my husband at our very first game! HAH! It was so fun. This levels the playing field completely but remains fun for both players. I then played against our ten year old daughter and again claimed a narrow victory. Great fun for everyone!
When I played against my daughter, a total novice, it was just as much fun as playing against my husband. My daughter didn't know a thing about the game - not how to set up the board or how to move - but the cards explain it all!
I recommend this to anyone who has an interest in learning or teaching chess. Good chess players could do well to keep the set of cards with their set for a fun variant or to have as a teaching tool anywhere, as the cards work with any standard chess set.
In closing this may be the best family purchase we have made in years!
Chess is a great game that is not only a joy to play, but also one of those games that will make you a bigger and better thinker, since it will affect you "off the board" as well. This is a great way to learn it. Very creative and quick to pick up. I played years ago, but am not a master by any means. This was a great refresher and made it easy for me to find people to play with.
Definitely a great way to learn how to play this game and teach it to others!
My DS5 and his friends love it. I (the chess-averse mom) am even learning a few things. Great introduction to the game.
Excellent idea. The board won't last a lifetime, but made with decent material (that's what you paid for). Flashcards showing the moves are very helpful for learners.