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What is the right age of starting chess?

Writer's picture: Aditya TiwariAditya Tiwari

Updated: 3 days ago


Chess is a game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, but there is no definitive answer to the question of what is the right age to start learning chess. Some experts suggest that children can start learning chess as early as four or five years old, while others recommend waiting until they are seven or eight years old. The best age to start chess depends on several factors, such as the child’s interest, motivation, attention span, cognitive abilities, and personality. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the pros and cons of starting chess at different ages, and offer some tips on how to introduce chess to your child in a fun and effective way.


- Kid Learning Chess


Starting Chess Early (4-6 years old)


Some of the benefits of starting chess early are:

  • Chess can stimulate the brain development of young children, especially in areas such as logic, memory, creativity, and problem-solving.

  • Chess can help children develop social skills, such as communication, cooperation, and sportsmanship, by playing with other children or adults.

  • Chess can foster a love of learning and curiosity in children, by exposing them to a rich and complex world of patterns, rules, and strategies.

The 7 benefits of Learning Chess at Young age.


1) Develops Logic, Critical Thinking, and Creativity, Chess exercises both sides of the brain.

The game of chess requires a lot of “if this, then-that” scenarios, requiring players to imagine all the potential moves, alternatives and outcomes of each possibility.

One study, conducted by Robert Ferguson, executive director of the American Chess School in Pennsylvania found that kids who had been playing chess versus computer games scored 13 percentage points higher in critical thinking and 35 percentage points higher in creative thinking.


2) Increases Concentration & Memory

Studies have shown that children who play chess regularly significantly improve their visual memory and concentration. A fantastic aspect of chess is that the game rewards you for concentration and penalizes you for losing it. Lose focus and you lose a piece, or worse, the game! Maintain focus and you're likely to win! This aspect of the game of chess gives a child's brain a fun incentive to stay focused while playing!


3) Develops Problem Solving Skills

The game of chess is a game of problem-solving, planning, and foresight. Being able to think through changing variables and formulate a plan based on various possibilities are invaluable skills necessary for the game, and more importantly, for life!


4) Improves Reading Skills

Chess requires kids to use cognitive functions such as decoding, analysis, thinking, and comprehension which are all skills required for reading. Studies have shown that kids who play chess score an average of 10 percentage points higher on reading tests versus kids who don’t play chess.


5) Teaches Planning and Foresight

In order to win in the game of chess you must have the ability to foresee multiple possibilities and outcomes in order to formulate a successful plan.

Forming a plan is similar to drawing a map. Learning to think ahead and plan where you need to position your pieces in order to trap, capture, or block your opponent’s pieces is vital to the game of chess.

Ultimately, the goal is to capture your opponent’s king, but patience and planning is key to getting there. A lot has to be done to set yourself up for success.


6) Engages the mind OFF of screens

It’s no surprise that the amount of screen time children are exposed to these days can diminish their ability to concentrate and focus. Chess is a powerful way of counteracting the negative effects of this digital era by engaging them in an activity that IMPROVES concentration while giving them a fun activity to enjoy off of screens.


7) Connects You with Others

Studies show that activities that connect children with others (especially their parents) can have a powerfully positive impact on overall brain health. Unlike video games or TV, chess builds human connection through healthy competitive play. We surveyed avid chess players and were delighted to see that every player had warm, positive memories of when they learned chess as a kid. Teaching a child to play chess not only builds a healthy brain, but it also reinforces positive relationships and builds lasting memories.



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