From: aswy@vax5.cit.cornell.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: Re: Girls
Date: 14 Aug 92 15:53:36 EDT
Distribution: usa,rec
Organization: Cornell University

In article <1992Aug13.150331.7723@mmm.serc.3m.com>,
us252637@mmm.serc.3m.com (William D. Rouner) writes: 
> After introducing chess to several dozen folks (most of whom can now beat me)
> including former girl-friends and my wife and daughter, I have a few tips for
> encouraging weaker players.  Let them choose the approach:
> 
> a.  Give a handicap (take away one of the major piece)  Letting a child choose
>     the amount of handicap is fun.  They delight in taking away nearly
>     everything and trouncing you.  Soon, they get bored with the easy victory
>     and begin leaving you with more and more men.
> 
> b.  Discuss the moves as you play (some prefer that you discuss only your
>     moves, others prefer that all moves be discussed)  Be sure to talk about
>     move itself ("This move prevents these pieces from getting into the game."
>     rather than "You should have moved here to..." or "That was stupid!")
>     This seems particularly effective when one criticizes one own move as in
>     "Hmmm, maybe that move wasn't so good after all...it left a big hole..."
> 
> c.  Play many speed games rather than one long intense game.  This has proved
>     particularly popular with high-school and college aged players.  It has
>     the merit of exploring several variants in one evening, it tends to reduce
>     the magnitude of a gross error in the weaker player's mind because he can
>     quit when the blunder is obvious, and start again.  Since I'm a slow
>     thinker, it also reduces the difference in playing strength.  But the
>     MOST IMPORTANTLY it seems to promote an easy-going fun atmosphere that
>     lasts after the games.
> 
>     An alternative is to record the game, discuss it afterwards, and replay
>     from a certain point.
> 
> d.  Do exercises (this worked with the few people that didn't like any of
>     the above approaches) such as try to mate me with your K and R against
>     my K in 20 moves.  Many are weak in endgames and playing many speed
>     games from the same endgame position is good.  Save the K,B,B vs K for
>     last; that has frustrated too many folks.
> 
> e.  Choose a class of openings that you will not study and let your opponent
>     study it.  This approach worked well in my early years when I knew nothing
>     about Queenside openings.  That experience taught me to be a more hunble
>     teacher as I fumbled my way through the opening despite superior tactics.
> 
> f.  Give the opponent the option to switch side once during the game.  Kids
>     like this one and despite still losing, take glee in seeing me squirm
>     out of the mess.  Seems like they think "I could have done that."
> 
> I do not encourage what one respondent suggested "...let them win."  Some
> are quick to spot this and resent it, and in the long run it doesn't
> promote good play or trust.
> 
> Hope this helps.  The books recommended so far are good suggestions,
> particularly the Bobby Fischer one.
> 
> Bill
These are all good suggestions, although I find that, as a beginner, going over
moves during a game can be frustrating.  There is an approach my boyfriend uses
though, that might be helpful.  (Yes, he always wins, and no, I'm not bored
yet)  He points out 
-Rin

Newsgroups: rec.games.chess