Step 1

In the first step all the rules of the chess game are introduced. Furthermore, much attention is paid to developing of the basic skills, necessary to play chess.
Comparing with other books for beginners the step-by-step method introduces an unique sequence of the teaching material. Learning how to mate is postponed as long as possible. This sounds astonishing and even incredible but up till now, practice has shown that this approach works perfectly. Children learn to play chess very well, for sure if they get enough time in between to play and practice.
The 'first step' consists of a manual for the trainer and a workbook for the students. There are special books available for children from 6 till about 9 years old: the forerunner.

■  Manual for chess trainers Step 1

■  Workbook Step 1

■  Stepping stones 1 and 2

  Manual for chess trainers Step 1  

Manual for
chess trainers
Step 1
1^st edition 2004
128 Seiten
with drawings

The manual is a great support for the trainer, even if he is an experienced one. Ready made lessons, hints how to use the workbooks, how to give assistance, and so on. Almost everything is to be found there.

Contents:

Introductions about:

• The chess development of a child
• organisation
• motivation
• teaching
• sequence of teaching material
• asking questions
• giving assistance
• the workbooks
• games

  Workbook Step 1

Step 1
1^st edition 2003
56 pages
with drawings

In addition to the exercises there are reminders in the workbook. These are short recapitulations of the lessons in the manual for the pupils.
There are 13 reminders.

• The board
• Moves of the pieces
• Attacking and capturing
• The pawn
• Defending
• Check and getting out of check
• Mate
• Castling
• Exchange and profitable exchange
• Twofold attack
• Draw
• The pawn (2)
• The notation

On the remaining 42 pages there are always 12 positions a page. That means a total number of 42x12-18 (the drawings) = 486 positions.

  Stepping stones 1 and 2  

Stepping stones 1
1. edition 2010
56 pages
with drawings

Stepping stones 2
1. edition 2010
56 pages
with drawings

Workbook Step 1 is often used with very young children. It is possible but not ideal. It is not surprising since the step-by-step method was developed in 1987 for children from the age of 9 on.

The tendency is that children learn to play chess younger and younger. For children at the age of 6 approximately, two special workbooks appeared where the exercises are adapted to this age group.
Naturally, the contents of these workbooks overlap partially the 'usual' Step 1. Part one of Stepping stones corresponds to lesson 1 up till 6 in the manual, part two begins with mate.
(See Manual for chess trainers

What are the differences with the usual workbook Step 1?

• Larger diagrams
• 6 diagrams a page
• Almost no text
• No reminders
• Easy exercises
• Different kind of puzzles
• Notation not necessary
• Some topics are split
• Eddy Sibbing as co-author

Instructors (frequently parents as well) have to rely on the Manual of the first step. In the new addition a chapter will be added on teaching chess to very young children. Furthermore, it will contain information how to deal with each page of the workbook and what are the expected difficulties.

The answers of both workbooks can be downloaded (if necessary!).