What is the best age to study chess?

Chess is a timeless game that challenges the mind, enhances critical thinking skills, and cultivates strategic planning abilities. As a parent or guardian, you may wonder about the ideal age for your child to study chess. In this blog, we will delve into the best age to study chess, discuss when and where to start, and provide additional tips for parents to support their child’s chess journey.

When to Start?

The optimal age to play chess would be somewhere around 4-5 years old. However, there have been exceptional cases of children starting as early as three years old and showing great potential, such as the example of Misha Osipov who played chess with GrandMaster Anatoly Karpov at three.

Recognize that the best age to learn chess may differ for each child. Some experts believe that the best age to start is around 4 years old, while others believe it is better to wait until children are older.

There are a few reasons some experts believe that 4 years old is the optimal age to play chess. Chess can help improve children’s problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Second, young children are often naturally curious and eager to learn new things, which can make them more receptive to learning the rules of chess. Finally, playing chess can help to teach children important life skills such as focus, concentration, and fair play.

Of course, not all children are ready to learn chess at 4. Some children may not be interested in the game, while others may not grasp the basic concepts. If you are not sure whether your child is ready to play chess, it is always a good idea to talk to their teacher or a chess instructor.

Misha Osipov (3-year-old kid) playing chess with GrandMaster Anatoly Karpov

At Chess Gaja, we had a student who began learning chess with us at four years old. He had two classes per week, each lasting 30 minutes, and his parent joined him through a video call. Starting chess at a young age like this requires parents to supervise and put in a little more effort. If you’re a parent, please read the additional points below on how you can support your child during their chess journey.

Here are some additional tips for parents on how to support their child’s chess journey:

Make it fun. When kids are learning chess, it is important to make it fun. The best way to do this is to play with them, make it a game, and not focus on winning. Praise their efforts even if they don’t win. As kids get older, they may develop a competitive spirit. This is a good thing, but it is important to remember that chess is still a game and should be fun. If your child is interested in competing in chess tournaments, be sure to support them, but don’t put too much pressure on them to win. The most important thing is that they have fun and enjoy the game.
Set realistic expectations. Don’t expect your child to become a grandmaster overnight. It takes time and practice to become good at chess.
Be patient. Learning chess takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if your child doesn’t seem to pick it up right away. Just motivate them and they will eventually get the hang of it.
Encourage them to play with others. One of the best ways to improve at chess is to play against other people. Encourage your child to play with friends, family members.
Get involved. If you are interested in chess, get involved in your child’s chess journey. Attend chess tournaments, watch chess videos, and read chess books together.

With your support, your child can have a lot of fun playing chess and learn valuable skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Where to Start?

Chess Gaja is the ideal destination for your children to learn the game of chess. Our structured curriculum and passionate, highly skilled coaches make us stand out from the rest. Our programs, led by GrandMaster Priyadharshan, cater to all levels, from children to adults.

Chess Gaja has trained young children as young as 4 years old. Founder and Managing Director of Chess Gaja, GM Priyadharshan Kannappan, started learning chess at the age of 6.5.

He kept developing his chess skills, attending classes with coaches and regularly finishing in the top 10 of state and national-level events.. This motivated his parents to help him pursue his passion as a professional career.

Hence, at Chess Gaja, under GM Priyadharshan’s guidance, we understand what a young child needs throughout their chess journey. We provide them with structured guidance that makes the parents’ journey much easier.

Here are some benefits of learning chess at Chess Gaja: