From: aswy@vax5.cit.cornell.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: Re: Girls
Date: 14 Aug 92 16:05:19 EDT
Distribution: usa,rec
Organization: Cornell University

In article <1992Aug14.155336.14480@vax5.cit.cornell.edu>,
aswy@vax5.cit.cornell.edu writes: 
> 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
> 
Sorry, I screwed up the file.  Guess someone should be teaching me about VMS
editors too.  To continue:  He points out potential turning points in the game,
which isn't actually giving me moves, but rather alerting me to the
possibilities at hand.  This helps keep my interest in the game up, even in the
middle of long games.  
I think the above mentioned handicapping method is much more productive than
"letting her win the game".  It is above the table and won't cause embarassment
and anger in the long run.  Also, how is she supposed to learn what
improvements she is making that are enabling her to win the game, if she isn't
actually improving but playing agaisnt an (unbeknownst to her) weakened player?  

Sorry again about the previous screwed up post.
-Rin