Parents' Guide to

Chess Academy for Kids by Geek Kids

By Dana Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Effective, step-by-step chess instruction for rookies.

App iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad Education
Chess Academy for Kids by Geek Kids Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this app.

  • Chess Academy for Kids by Geek Kids App: Screenshot #1
  • Chess Academy for Kids by Geek Kids App: Screenshot #2
  • Chess Academy for Kids by Geek Kids App: Screenshot #3

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What’s It About?

From the menu, kids choose to view a tutorial, practice playing, or play a game. Tutorials are listed 1 through 140, and kids simply tap to read and learn about the chess piece, rule, or skill that interests them. To play, kids choose a character and select whether their opponent is the computer or a human (in person, who plays on the app with them). The game proceeds as usual, although the app provides prompts showing players all move options.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Kids who want to learn chess will enjoy how the easy explanations and step-by-step tutorials in CHESS ACADEMY FOR KIDS ease them into the experience. There are a lot of settings to help kids customize gameplay, most of which make the game easier, such as showing the last move or available moves; if kids want to make the game more difficult, they can simply increase the computer's skill level up to 100 percent ("Hardest") or find a very challenging real-life opponent to play against at home or school. Chess is one of those classic games that helps kids with skills like thinking ahead, strategy, and logic far beyond the game's board. This app is a perfect blend of tutorials, practice, and play that will help kids develop those skills and enjoy the game at the same time.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • If you don't know how to play chess, read the tutorials with your kids and learn along with them so you can play together.

  • If you have a real chess board at home, get it out so your kids can manipulate the real pieces while they're using the app.

App Details

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