View from an UNchessable Parent Q&A 1 -- Success in Chess

Have you ever wondered if only parents with experience and interest in chess can better support their children's interest in the game?

Undoubtedly, if parents enjoy chess themselves, the role models and daily practice support they provide to their children are invaluable.

However, every family has its unique dynamics. If, by chance, you have no interest in chess or if time constraints prevent you from supporting your child's interest in chess in the best possible way you think, it's okay. You are not alone.

I'm Rosa, Kobe's mum, and I don't play chess at all due to my personality—I'm not a fan of adversarial games that always make me nervous and not enjoyable. I have other hobbies, though, like music, reading, and writing. But Kobe has consistently thrived in chess, and my lack of skill in the game hasn't dampened her natural talent and enthusiasm for it. So, I don't think you have to be a chess expert to support your child to fuel her passion for chess.

Firstly, I'd like to clarify what the definition of success is in this context.

In my mind, successfully supporting a child's interest in this area does not necessarily mean winning awards or achieving high scores like a professional athlete.

I knew nothing about chess until Kobe started winning prizes in some junior competitions, even defeating some individuals who were specifically trained in chess within their families. It was only then that I began paying attention to this sport. However, by that time, Kobe was already around ten years old, which is considered late if one wants to pursue a professional chess career.

Typically, in a perfect professional world, children start developing a sense of chess strategy around four years old and begin competing to accumulate ratings by the age of five or six. Kobe didn't even touch a chessboard until she was seven years old. So, from the outset, I never considered pushing her towards a professional path because the difference between her and those who had specialized training was too significant.

It's not impossible to catch up, but if you want to bridge that gap, you'll have to spend more time than others who started earlier, and since everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, you'd have to give up many other options. According to our family's values, we don't advocate for such intense dedication. Instead, we see chess as a hobby, and as long as there's progress compared to oneself, that's what matters.

So, what I consider successful support is encouraging her to reach her own personal best and not letting her lose sight of the joy of playing the game in the process of pushing her. At the same time, it's about enabling her to transfer the skills learned from chess to other areas, strengthening her willpower and character, and laying the groundwork for her future as an adult in society.


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