Little Pawns (Ages 5-7)

You don’t need to read or write to start chess; attention and a love of games are enough. In Little Pawns children learn how the pieces move through stories, a giant floor board and mini-games: the “pawn war” played with pawns only, the rook escaping a maze, the knight’s magic “L” jump. A full game comes once all the pieces are known.

How the sessions work

• Two 60-minute sessions a week, with no more than 8 children and one coach
• The first 15 minutes of each session are an active game on a 2x2 metre floor board
• A sticker progress card: each piece earns its “licence”
• The last session of the month is open to parents

By the end of the term

Children know how every piece moves, how to give check and escape it, have seen simple checkmates and can play a full game within the rules. The focus is not on winning or losing but on taking turns and respecting the opponent; every game ends with a handshake.