Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Recommended Resources Online chess sites?

We're trying out chess.com. It's pretty good but they try really hard to get you to upgrade to the paid service and there are a lot of ads. Basically DS (currently really into chess) wants to be able to play with some of his relatives (not in real time).

Has anyone tried other sites? Ideally something web based where you can invite a person to play you. Kid-focused would be even better. Thanks.

(We have Fritz and Chesster but that is more of a play at home/solo activity).

JB

Hi JB,

We also use chess.com and I have told DS "not to click on any of the advertisements"! I wonder how long it will take him...

I'm sorry to say that I don't have any other suggestions

Our DS7 also enjoys the lego chess game.

We have used yahoo games, there is a chess section where you can play games with other users. Haven't found any problem in terms of safety or advertisement, but the players may not be serious (someone who was losing to my DS just left the game without notice and DS waited for quite a while for nothing).

World Chess Live is more serious. We haven't tried it but will soon as the USCF seems to be either the sponsor of it or approves it and we once got a coupon (oh yes, this website is not free).

Hmm. I haven't tried yahoo games. This is mostly for playing with people we know. Thanks for the pointer there.

Glad I'm not the only one finding the chess.com's adverts are a bit annoying :-)

JB

There was a thread here a little while back about online chess (but of course I can't find it at the moment!)

How are things, JB?

peace
minnie

I think my son plays chess on pogo. There are lots of good games there - yatzee, backgammon, solitare, ect.

I think my son plays chess on pogo. There are lots of good games there - yatzee, backgammon, solitare, ect.

Things are going okay. Since school is not in session, things are a lot like last summer. We're doing a lot of unschooling with DS6. He read through a few of the Murderous Maths books, and started getting very interested in playing chess. His interest in math right now is pretty deep. It's interesting with him because it's not like he figures out really complicated algorithms for himself, but if you show it to him once(at most twice), then he's got it. Last summer it was human anatomy... this summer it's math again Just this weekend he was quizzing *me* on if I knew the prime factors of such and such number. I deferred to him!

Have no idea what this school year will bring and sadly I'm not optimistic. When he goes to pull out program it's good that he can go deeper with some topics. But we really need the daily curriculum adjusted and I just don't see that happening. I am hoping we get a better teacher match this year.

The good thing was that during the summer break we did see DS return to his inquisitive self. I was really worried about that.

JB

BabasChess -- a fantastic internet chess client, depending on the level or desire of your son:
http://www.babaschess.net/

He can play against people or computers (of varying levels) and also watch other games being played.

My son is just a casual player so this stuff is definitely over his head right now. But we do use Babas to play games over the net when the mood strikes him. If nothing else, he enjoys the IM-style chat, complete with sound effects!

If he ever decides to get serious about chess, he will absolutely love what Babas can do for him.

Excellent, thanks. I'll take a look.

Chess.com isn't too bad once. Just a lot of adverts. But he's playing against friends/family all over the world. DS is definitely a better "live" player (played his best game last night and got me to a stalemate) but he does enjoy correspondence chess.

JB