- Check the space and the kit.
- Get your child's attention first.
- Show it from two sides.
- Say one thing only.
- End on one that works.
Put the phone down where you can see it. Tap Next with your thumb, or use the arrow keys.
Is the space marked?
- Set the board with a white square at the bottom right of each player
- Queen on her own colour
A board with a middlegame position (from a worksheet or a game).
Three minutes to get warm.
Easy jogging on the spot, then arms and legs. How to warm up well is explained at workonfitness.com.
- Put a knight in the middle and point to each enemy piece that attacks it.
- Point to each of its own pieces that defend it.
- More attackers than defenders: it is in danger. When capturing, take with the cheapest piece first.
Show it once from the front and once from the side, slowly. Then let your child try.
- Count the attackers on a piece.
- Count its defenders.
- Decide: safe or in danger.
- Capture with the lowest-value piece first.
How much: 6 positions
Ask what it is guarded by
Safe or in danger
The rules
You point to a piece; the child counts and calls it.
- Set a middlegame position
- Point to one piece
- The child counts attackers and defenders aloud and says "safe" or "in danger"
- 10 pieces, then swap
Fair play: A grown-up answers without touching the pieces.
- Points
- 1 point for the right count; 1 point for the right call.
- Fouls
- No points: forgetting a piece that attacks along a long diagonal or file; calling before counting
- Win
- More points after 10 pieces each.
- 8
- 14
- 18
4 of 5 positions judged correctly.
End on one that works. If it was hard today, finish with the easier version.
Well played.
Saved in this browser only. Next time, "What should we practise today?" picks up from here.