Winning Chess Exercises for Kids: Tactics and Strategies to Outsmart Your Opponent

by Viktoria Ni

Overview

Practice makes progress! Sharpen your chess skills—and win more games—with this fun workbook of chess exercises for kids ages 8 to 12.

Remembering rules, understanding all the different tactics and strategies, and recognizing patterns of play—chess can be a complicated game to learn! That’s why Woman International Master (WIM) Viktoria Ni created this chess workbook with clear step-by-step instructions and annotated diagrams that show chess concepts in action. Packed with fun exercises, Winning Chess Exercises for Kids will help kids better recognize chess strategy and execute key chess tactics during the opening, middle game, and endgame. Whether your kid is just starting to play chess or is already chess-obsessed and wants to take their skills to the next level, this workbook will help them learn faster, practice smarter, and win more!

• Chess fundamentals every player should know. From strong chess openings and common checkmate patterns to potent attack tactics and clever defensive strategies.
• Over 350 exercises to play, practice, and solve. Increase understanding of chess basics and improve pattern recognition and board visualization.
• Clear annotated diagrams. Make learning and understanding chess tactics a breeze.
• Learn from a Woman International Master and expert teacher. Kid-friendly instruction that is accessible for beginners and stimulating for more experienced chess players.
• Answer key with explanations. So kids can better understand the thinking behind each move.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593690390
Publisher:	Zeitgeist
Publication date:	04/02/2024
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	411,549
Product dimensions:	6.93(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.42(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Viktoria Ni has been playing and studying chess for over 25 years. She was first taught chess by her mother, Polina, at the age of seven and was later trained by Grandmaster Janis Klovans. In 2010, Viktoria achieved the title of Woman International Master (WIM), and she placed fourth in the US Women’s Chess Championship twice (2012 and 2015). In her 13-year teaching career, Viktoria has mentored thousands of students, designed chess curriculums, trained other chess teachers, and run several successful chess programs in New York City. Outside of chess, Viktoria enjoys traveling, reading, playing pickleball, and learning new things.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Winning Chess Exercises for Kids is an absolute gold mine of information for aspiring young grandmasters. Viktoria has skillfully taken complex concepts and broken them down into perfect bite-sized exercises that kids will love. Kids will be building up their chess muscles without even knowing it!" 
—Carey Fan, former CEO, Chesskid.com
 
"This book is most useful for parents who want to teach their kids how to play chess. There are many online sources, but very few well-written and well-structured books. Winning Chess Exercises for Kids serves as a trampoline towards learning more complex chess strategies. To play chess well, one must learn the rules and fundamentals and Viktoria teaches all that in a very interactive way. As a teacher with more than 20 years of experience and mentor of three Under-8 world champions, I recommend this exceptional book to all chess beginners!"
—Mesgen Amanov, Grandmaster and founder of Limitlesschess.com
 

"Winning Chess Exercises for Kids is a fantastic book for new chess players sure to be popular with parents, teachers, and kids alike. It’s jam-packed full of simple but effective tactics and strategies for beginning players to rapidly advance their game. The material is presented in a clear and understandable format and is full of gems for young players starting out in the game, drawn from Viktoria’s many years as a top player and coach."
—Alan Clarke, founder and director of the Shanghai Chess Academy

"Winning Chess Exercises for Kids serves as an excellent resource, offering children a foundational grasp of chess, covering key concepts, and introducing them to endgames and basic checkmates. Drawing from her dual role as both a player and coach, Viktoria skillfully combines her many years of experience playing, competing, and teaching to create this valuable tool." 
—Melikset Khachiyan, Grandmaster, US Women team captain, and FIDE senior trainer
 
"Winning Chess Exercises for Kids is an absolute must-have for any child who wants to level up their chess game! Viktoria has carefully compiled hundreds of exercises starting from the fundamental basics, progressing through to tactical attacks and middle game and endgame strategies. It's the perfect book to help kids play more and win more."
—Jovanka Houska, Woman Grandmaster, nine-time British Women’s Chess Champion, chess commentator, and coauthor of The Mating Game

"Winning Chess Exercises for Kids is a welcome addition to the junior chess library. It is a no-nonsense introduction to chess, focusing on the essentials in a clear format, as well as an exercise book—ideal for any child who is keen to compete. The solutions to the exercises come with crisp explanations, taking the reader on a journey of discovery."
—John Foley, councilor, European Chess Union Education Commission
 
"Viktoria’s chess book is a true gem! With its simple yet effective teaching methods and relatable examples, this fantastic tool not only fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills but also inspires young learners to explore the depths of the game with enthusiasm."
—Irene Sukandar, Woman Grandmaster, two-time Asian Women’s Chess Champion and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree
 
"Winning Chess Exercises for Kids will help kids discover the beauty of chess. Viktoria shares step-by-step instruction that introduces all the important chess concepts, followed by chess puzzles that increase in difficulty. It is a great chess workout that will keep kids engaged and continuously improving."
—Sabina Foisor, Woman Grandmaster, 2017 US Women’s Chess Champion, chess teacher and streamer
 
"The carefully crafted exercises in this book will sharpen tactical skills and provide a delightful journey into strategic nuances. Each page has an amazing set of challenges, making learning chess both engaging and rewarding. A must-have book for anyone eager to start and elevate their game!"
—Yelizaveta Orlova, top-ranked Canadian chess player, and best-selling author of Chess for Beginners: Know the Rules, Choose Your Strategy, and Start Winning

"Writing a chess book for children can be challenging, but Viktoria Ni does it elegantly. From her impressive coaching experience, she explains key chess concepts in such a simple and easy-to-understand manner that the reader might find themselves asking for more!" 
—Arturs Neiksans, Grandmaster, four-time Latvian Chess Champion, chess coach, and streamer