Chess for Preschool

Our Preschool chess activities on Kids Academy Classroom introduce young learners to the game of chess, its pieces, movements, rules, and basic strategies. Children develop early problem-solving, critical thinking, and spatial reasoning skills while having fun learning how to play chess.

Core areas covered:

Game basics

• Chess basics

  • What is chess?

  • Chess pieces: Part 1 & Part 2

  • Chessboard and symbols

  • Names of squares and the center

  • Initial positions on the board

• Pieces: How they move and capture

  • Rook, Bishop, Queen, Knight, Pawn, King

  • Power and value of pieces

  • Special moves: Promotion, En Passant, Castling

  • Abbreviated chess notation

• Purpose of the game

  • What is check?

  • Attacking the king: Direct check

  • Getting out of check (capture, protect, run away)

  • What is checkmate?

  • Identifying check vs. checkmate positions

  • What is stalemate?

  • Checkmating patterns: Two Rook Mate, King and Queen Mate

  • Practice checkmates

Strategies

• Basic tactics

  • Double attack or fork

  • Attacking the king: Double check

  • Pin, Skewer, Discovery

  • Attacking the king: Discovered check

  • Finding mates in 2

• Putting it all together

  • Opening principles: How to begin a game

  • Scholar’s Mate (Four-Move Mate)

  • Basic strategy: Trading down when ahead

Learning formats

• Worksheets to practice piece movements, checkmates, and tactics

• Lessons for step-by-step explanations of rules and strategies

• Videos for visual demonstrations and guided play

• Games for interactive practice and learning by doing

• Quizzes to test knowledge of rules, moves, and patterns

This prepares preschool learners to understand the basics of chess, recognize piece movements, follow rules, and begin applying simple strategies in a fun and engaging way.