Chess Mini-Games

Why mini-games are ideal for children learning chess

What is a chess mini-game ?

A chess mini-game typically has a limited number of pieces and allows a short fun game to be played with a basic set of rules to learn.

Fewer pieces

Most mini-games focus on one or two different piece types. Often mini-games don't even include kings and therefore the rules on how to win are very different to a full game of chess.

Simpler rules

Pieces move the same as they do in a full game of chess but some special rules such as promotion, en-passant, stalemate etc are excluded.

Ways to win

In a full game of chess you win by checkmate whereas in a mini-game you might have to get a pawn to the other side or capture all of your opponent's pieces to win.

Learning with mini-games

Children learn best by doing and so chess mini-games allow them to quickly start playing without having to learn many rules. They can focus on how one or two pieces move and build up gradually whilst still enjoying trying to win.

Simple

There are less pieces in a mini-game and the rules for how to win are much easier to absorb. More complex rules such as pawn promotion and en-passant can be introduced later.

Focussed

The children can focus on how a particular piece moves and try it out straight away as there is often only one or two piece types on the board. They can master how that piece moves before trying other mini-games that introduce different pieces.

Fun

Children love to play and a mini-game is easy enough and short enough to keep them engaged and rewarding when they win. They can play against a parent or teacher, other children and even against a computer.

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