With the popular TV show “The Queen’s Gambit,” many families are newly interested in the ancient game of chess. Recently, I brought my own chess set to a local party where it was a smash hit with the half dozen children in attendance, who were all clamoring for a turn at the board. Parents watched in awe as the kids challenged each other with avid excitement. Who would have thought?
Once considered a niche interest, chess is now more popular than ever among the under 18 crowd, and for good reason. This classic game is fun and interesting while teaching kids the art of strategic thinking. With youth leagues and tournaments in abundance, this hobby can even evolve into a competitive sport for the dedicated. Whatever the motivation, why not introduce your child to the wonderful world of chess this spring?
Where to start? The first step is simply to introduce them to the game and encourage them to check it out. Nothing will inspire your children more than playing with their parent. I recently spent time playing with my five and seven-year-olds which resulted in many cozy nights by the fire deeply immersed in the game. I was amazed at how quickly they picked it up and how passionate they were about it.
If you’ve never tried chess yourself, fear not. Many schools host chess clubs, which is an ideal place to start.
“Chess is a battlefield, where you are the composer, the artist, the strategist.”
Ryder Craig
Local La Pine High School teacher, Luke Donahue, for example, started a chess club at his school five years ago, motivated by the kids who were eager to play.
“Really, the energy was already there,” says Donahue. “All I had to do was set up a bunch of boards in the library, and what do you know?—students were almost instantaneously playing on them. They were hungry for chess. When I was a high school student, chess offered something unique: the combination of a fun game and intense intellection. So, I wanted to bring that to Oregon.”
Maybe your child isn’t the academic type, but that doesn’t mean they won’t thrive in a chess club environment. Chess is truly accessible for anyone interested.
“In general, there’s no single type of student who joins a chess club,” explains Donahue. “This is what’s so remarkable about chess. A student who could care less about school and who struggles academically can be an amazing chess player, having a keen insight for tactics and strategy. Chess requires a certain intuitive sense for where pieces go, for how pieces work together—an intuition that comes readily to creative minds. Yet chess also requires step-by-step calculations—a skill that comes readily to mathematical minds.”
“Chess is a battlefield,” explains La Pine high student and chess club player, Ryder Craig, “where you are the composer, the artist, the strategist. The game doesn’t discriminate, and throughout this battle, each game reflects lessons you can apply to the world. I come to chess club for more than a board game. I come to understand my opponents, in a complex, multi-piece system we call life.”
Even if your school doesn’t currently host a club, you can still ask around your social network to see if any other families have children who are into the game who might be willing to practice with your child.
You might also consider watching chess-related movies or shows like, “Searching for Bobby Fischer,” “Queen of Katwe,” and “Brooklyn Castle,” all of which are based on true stories about famous chess players, or if they are old enough, the aforementioned “Queen’s Gambit” is a lot of fun.
Another option is to check out the local Bend Chess & Go club, which meets every Thursday at 6pm at Crux Fermentation Project brewery in the winter (October – June) and at the Commons in the summer (July – September), to check out the game in action and talk to some of the players. This casual club atmosphere offers a thriving, light-hearted experience with a strong competitive streak for those interested in taking their game to the next level. Originally founded in 2021 at the Midtown Yacht Club, the club has been going strong for close to five years and has even trained four champions thus far. Everything you need, from chess sets to clock timers, is available for use free of charge.
According to their website, “While the club is primarily aimed at adults, juniors are always welcome!”
Another great resource is Northwest Chess, which has a scholastic page dedicated to the youth chess scene across the pacific northwest. There is an online resource list for youth coaches, schools and camps, a calendar of tournaments, scholastic opportunities for exchange students, book reviews, article ideas and so much more.
Next, it’s time to obtain a high-quality chess set, easily available for purchase online or at a local game or toy shop. The one I bought serves as both a carrying case and a board, as it opens like a little briefcase that holds the pieces snugly inside a foam padded container, then flips over to become the checkered board. The pieces are magnetic, which is an excellent bonus feature that makes for extra stability.
Next, it’s time to teach your kids how each of the pieces move. Online tutorials abound on YouTube, and there are chess-specific magazines available for subscription as well. The Bend Chess Club recommends Robert Ramierez’s free online chess course as a great starting place.
Then it’s time to practice and play! The website chess.com has a free app where your child can play with friends and players from around the world, which is a great way to log some practice time.
Practice equals fun!
If your child happens to fall in love with the game, why not sign them up for “Chess Wizards Camp” offered through Bend Parks and Rec during Spring Break from March 23-27, for ages 6-12.
Ultimately, with all these resources at our fingertips, it’s easier than ever to get kids interested in chess. The benefits for the whole family are enormous!
Benefits of Chess
By Luke Donahue, La Pine High School teacher
- Chess enhances a student’s critical thinking, calculating skills and strategic planning, requiring them to work on various cognitive levels. Students must think tactically as well as strategically, analytically as well as creatively, all while understanding the spatial arrangement of the pieces on the board.
- Chess encourages sustained concentration. Even students who regularly bounce off the walls will suddenly sit as still as a statue while playing chess.
- Students usually develop skills rapidly and can see themselves improve by their hard work. With a little study, students will be beating their neighbors and friends in no time.
- Chess combines intellectual rigor with fun. When playing chess, thinking becomes enjoyable. This effect can be remarkably powerful for young players.
Resources:
Bend Chess & Go Club: bendchessgo.com
Northwest Chess Scholastics:
nwchess.com/scholastic/index.htm
Robert Ramirez’s free online lessons:
chesslessonswithrobert.com/free-chess-lessons
This article appears in Bend Nest Spring 2026.
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