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You can learn Chess at home using the resources from the internet. The Golden Bay Chess team has compiled our favorite websites and videos to make it easier for you!
Lichess
Lichess
Lichess is a completely free website that allows you to do everything from playing chess online with other players or learning with their free lessons. You can also turn on Kid Mode to ensure that your child is not exposed to inappropriate content.
Duolingo Chess
Duolingo Chess
https://blog.duolingo.com/chess-course/
Duolingo Chess offers a fun, gamified way to learn chess fundamentals through short, interactive lessons and puzzles. It is excellent for children as it makes the complex game accessible and engaging, fostering strategic thinking and problem-solving in a playful, low-pressure format.
GothamChess
GothamChess
https://www.youtube.com/@GothamChess
GothamChess is run by International Master Levy Rozman. His content is free and teaches chess in a way that will capture the attention of children. GothamChess content covers openings, game analysis, and more! This video is good for learning the very basics, but GothamChess also has more advanced content.
ChessKid.com
ChessKid.com
This website is perfect for practicing chess in a more competitive setting. It is operated by Chess.com and is tailored specifically for children so that adults are able to easily turn on filters for their child.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can my child play chess outside of GBC?
Where can my child play chess outside of GBC?
We recommend playing both online and in-person!
Online: Lichess.org, chesskid.com, chess.com are all great options. Lichess has a kid mode that you can enable for your child so that they're safe on the website
In-Person: Bay Area Chess is another nonprofit that runs local classes and tournaments for kids. Children can win trophies and compete in tournaments to get an official rating certified by the United States Chess Federation (USCF). You can find more information about Bay Area Chess over here: https://www.bayareachess.com/index/
Another good option is the Mechanics Institute in San Francisco. This is a more competitive club. You can find details over here: https://www.milibrary.org/chess/calendar
Other: Look for chess clubs at your child's school, and if you're willing to travel, consider checking out the list of all USCF-certified events at: https://new.uschess.org/upcoming-tournaments
What other coaching services do you guys recommend?
What other coaching services do you guys recommend?
Bay Area Chess is a nonprofit that conducts classes for kids. You can find details over here: https://enrichment.bayareachess.com/weekend-clubs
Another good option is looking for a coach from Lichess, because you can get 1 on 1 coaching from experienced masters at a reasonable rate.
That being said, we think that the best way for your child to improve at the game is to play a lot of games, analyze their games, and then improve on their mistakes. There's a lot of good, free resources on Youtube and the other links that we've mentioned, so please don't feel pressured to get a coach! And if you do, it's always a good idea to go to tournaments and ask the best players who their coaches are.
How do I know whether my child’s skill level is suitable for these lessons?
How do I know whether my child’s skill level is suitable for these lessons?
Our goal is to make kids learn the rules of the game, so beginners of all skill levels are welcome! It doesn't matter if your child doesn't know the rules of the game because our job is to teach them.
If your child is more advanced, we're usually able to teach them more complicated principles and they'll have a chance to play against some of the volunteers. The volunteers range in strength from 1000 to 2000 USCF, so we're sure that your child will always have someone to play against them or teach them! That being said, if your child is stronger than this skill level, the other coaching services are recommended.
What is the Lesson Structure usually like?
What is the Lesson Structure usually like?
Every beginner has different gaps in their knowledge, so we try and teach them all the rules of the game, along with teaching them how all the pieces move.
For more advanced children, we first have them solve chess puzzles with various patterns such as forks and skewers. Then, we show them a game between chess masters and guide them towards the best moves. Afterwards, we have them play against each other and volunteers walk around and try to provide them personalized feedback.
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