This product is 1/4 of a regular chess board and includes 10 full size chess pieces. The game card slips under the transparent top to show you which pieces to use for each puzzle. There are 60 puzzles to solve in 4 different levels from beginner to expert.
All of the pieces for this game are neatly contained in one small space. The bottom slides out to hold the chess pieces and all of the challenge cards along with the instruction booklet fit under the transparent board. There is a clasp to the side of the board which snaps down to hold the cards in place.
The instruction booklet gives clear directions on how to use the product. There are pages which show how each piece can move with hints to solve each puzzle in case you get stuck.
The board is numbered and lettered so you can read the exact movements of the pieces from the solutions guide in the back of the instruction booklet. You won't have to wonder if you moved the pieces correctly, you can check so that you know!
To play; every piece that is moved must capture another piece. The challenge is over when one piece remains. The best way to play is to think through all of the moves before you begin.
This is a great teaching tool and fun to play even if you already know how to play chess. When we received the game I opened it up, set up the first challenge and began to play. I know how to play chess so a quick glance through the instruction booklet was all I needed to understand how to play. I haven't played chess in over a year so the first card took me a few minutes to figure out. After I got going I could feel my brain moving into chess mode. My husband came over to check it out and we ended up playing together even though it is a solitaire game. I would set up each new challenge and we would see who could find the solution first. This was a fun way to play.
Next my 18 year old tried it out. He moved through all of the beginner cards before he left the game to my 8 year old, Elijah, to play. Elijah has played chess on the computer before so he understood what to do. I was sitting next to him so I could coach him if he forgot how a piece moved or needed a hint to help solve the puzzle. I opened the direction book to the pages which show how chess pieces move and he was able to work through about 10 puzzles before he was called away to do something else.
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| Elijah, 8, enjoying Chess Solitaire |
My 12 year old son, Nathan, said "It is simple, easy, great for teaching kids how to play chess."
The game board is a nice size to hold in your lap as you play. It is manageable for younger players. I think this game would be perfect for car rides, picnics, or just about anywhere. The game board is indented so each piece can sit into its spot without sliding around unless you tip it quite a bit.
The game says it is for ages 8 and up but I think any child who is learning to play chess can play this game.
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| Sarah, 6, learning to play chess |
I plan on using this game for free time as well as homeschool time. I think it will be a great aid to my math students as a warm up to get them into a deep thinking mode.
I would recommend this game to anyone who likes to play chess, young or old. It would make a great teaching tool, easy way to get back to the game, or just fun for chess enthusiasts.
To purchase visit Timberdoodle's games page.
More from Timberdoodle:
Free catalog
Homeschool Vodcasts
Daily Giveaways on the Timberdoodle Facebook page until next Tuesday, Nov. 2nd.
