How to Get Kids into Chess (Without Boring Them to Death)

Convincing kids to play chess can be a bit like convincing them that broccoli is the world’s most exciting food. But just like with broccoli, once they get a taste, they might be surprised at how much they actually enjoy it. Here’s a guide on how to get kids excited about chess (without them running away screaming). You might even have some fun along the way!

1. Make It a Game…Wait, It Already Is!

Kids love games, so the first rule of getting them into chess is: make it fun. Don’t approach it like a “let’s learn something educational” moment; frame it as a cool new game where they get to outsmart everyone else. Introduce the pieces like characters in a movie:

• The Knight: “This guy moves in an L-shape because, let’s be real, he’s got places to go and doesn’t care about straight lines.”

• The Queen: “Meet the Queen. She’s the most powerful piece on the board, so you’ll want to keep her happy.”

• The Rook: “The castle with a serious case of tunnel vision—it can only move in straight lines.”

Encourage them to think of the game as a story unfolding on the board, with kings, queens, and knights all fighting for their kingdom. When they see the pieces as characters, they might just get curious.

2. Start with Mini Games (Because Attention Spans Are Precious)

A full game of chess can seem like a big commitment to kids. Start with mini games that use just a few pieces. Here are some ideas:

• Pawn Wars: Use only pawns and a king. The goal? Get a pawn to the other side of the board and transform it into a mighty queen. Who doesn’t want to see their little pawn get a glow-up?

• Knight Challenges: Give them a few targets on the board to reach using only the knight. It’s like a mini-puzzle, and who doesn’t love a good knight-on-a-mission story?

• Queen vs. Pawns: Let them play as the queen, trying to capture all the pawns without getting cornered. It’s like chess’s version of hide-and-seek.

These mini-games are quick and let kids get familiar with the pieces without feeling like they’re in a three-hour commitment.

3. Add Rewards (Because…Bribes Work)

Let’s be honest: kids love rewards. And there’s no shame in adding a few incentives to make the game more appealing. Consider setting up a points system:

• Win a pawn? That’s 5 points!

• Capture a knight? That’s 10 points!

• Put the opponent’s king in check? That’s 15 points!

Once they reach a certain score, they “level up” or get a small prize. Even something like a sticker or a fun chess fact can be motivating. You can even make up goofy titles for each level, like “Pawn Prodigy” or “Knight Ninja.”

4. Play a Round of “Beat the Grown-Up”

Kids love beating adults at things. Letting them play against you with some silly rules or giving them a slight advantage can make the game even more fun. Try playing a round where you have to play blindfolded (or cover the board and try to remember where the pieces are) or let them start with an extra queen.

You can also add challenges, like “I have to move a knight on every turn” or “I can’t use my queen for the whole game.” It’ll make the game unpredictable, and kids will love the chance to win against these “big, bad grown-up rules.”

5. Get Themed Chess Sets

Chess can seem serious, but themed chess sets make it a lot more exciting. From Star Wars to Harry Potter, you can find a set that aligns with their interests. Picture this: they get to protect Hogwarts as they move Harry and Hermione across the board or defend the galaxy with Jedi Knights.

Using themed sets can make it feel less like “traditional chess” and more like a fun game with characters they already know and love. And who wouldn’t want to send Darth Vader to checkmate?

6. Use Fun Chess Apps and Videos

Sometimes, screen time is your best friend. There are a ton of kid-friendly chess apps and videos that make learning the game interactive and fun. Apps like ChessKid and Chess for Kids turn chess into a game with levels, points, and rewards that kids love. Plus, they don’t have to wait for you to be ready to play—they can dive into a quick game whenever they want.

You can also find funny or engaging chess videos on YouTube that explain moves and strategies in a light-hearted way. Look for videos with animations, as kids tend to remember visual examples better than plain explanations.

7. Keep It Lighthearted: Laugh at the Blunders

One thing kids (and adults) sometimes fear in chess is making mistakes. Chess has a reputation for being a serious, competitive game, but you can help break that myth by laughing at blunders. If someone forgets the rules and accidentally moves a bishop like a rook, make it a joke rather than a big deal.

Remind them that every chess master started by making mistakes—probably even big ones. Laughing together over these slip-ups shows that the goal is to have fun and learn, not to be perfect.

8. Encourage “Crazy” Strategies (The Crazier, The Better)

Kids love to break the rules, so encourage them to get creative. Tell them to come up with their own “super-secret strategy,” even if it makes no sense at first. Whether it’s a “sneak attack” with pawns or a “double knight defense,” let them explore unconventional moves without correction.

Letting kids come up with their own ideas, even if they’re impractical, gives them a sense of ownership and makes them feel like they’re in control of the game. Who knows, they might just surprise you with a creative strategy!

Getting kids into chess doesn’t have to be a challenge. By making it fun, adding a touch of humor, and keeping it lighthearted, you can spark their interest and make chess feel more like an adventure than a chore. From creating epic battles between Jedi knights and rooks to laughing at blunders and rewarding “level-ups,” there are endless ways to make the game engaging for young players. So go ahead, set up the board, add a bit of flair, and watch the magic happen. Who knows? You might just be raising the next chess champion (or at the very least, someone who actually enjoys playing with you).