Resources for Chess Parents and Players
From Evanston Scholastic Chess
Internet Resources
www.eschess.org
Our own Evanston Scholastic Chess web site has a resources section for parents and lists our upcoming tournaments and tournament results.
http://il-chess.org/index.php/youth-chess-in-illinois
The youth resources area of the Illinois Chess Association. Covers topics like: learning chess, starting and running a chess program, tournaments, etc.
www.il-chess.org
Illinois Chess Association site; see especially Scholastic Tournaments in the Events menu, as well as the list of Camps and Classes.
www.uschess.org
The official site of the United States Chess Federation. Go to the Join menu to buy USCF membership online.
Online Play and Learning
Chesskid.com is a very safe online chess site for children, and it’s run by a reputable site for adults. Has a lot of protections for kids against inappropriate chat, etc. Also has chess resources including puzzles (tactical exercises) and a library of articles and instructional videos.
www.chessmagnetschool.com guides players through interactive exercises that increase in difficulty as the player improves. Kids get positive reinforcement by advancing through levels.
Books
Chess books are easiest to find online.
Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess, ISBN 978-0553263152
Excellent little paperback available at most bookstores, and suitable for an absolute beginner in second grade all the way up through senior citizens.
The Chess Tactics Workbook, ISBN 0965906701
A book of chess problems suitable for beginning players. Mostly checkmates and pin, fork, skewer and combination tactics.
Winning Chess Exercises for Kids, ISBN 1895525101
Another good book of chess problems. A bit more advanced than The Chess Tactics Workbook.
Winning Chess Strategy for Kids, 1895525055
A good book on tactics beyond the basic pins, forks and skewers, as well as some simple strategic themes. Amusing illustrations.
Chess Openings for White, Explained (978-1889323206) and Chess Openings for Black, Explained (978-1889323183). While it’s best for beginners to study opening principles rather than specific openings, these are good entry-level books that cover a variety of openings for those who want to learn more.