EP 373- Carol Ann Caronia: Advice for Chess Parents & Scholastic Teachers from an Author and Longtime Teacher

This week on the podcast we delve into the topic of how to teach chess to kids who are new to the game. My guest, Carol Ann Caronia has been teaching curriculum and afterschool chess classes in Brooklyn, New York for decades. Her new book, Strategic Moves: Mind-Building Chess Exercises for Kids, shares all that she has learned from these experiences. The topics we cover include, differences she has noticed between teaching girls and teaching boys, managing after-school classes, and whether or not we should let new students/our kids win when we play them. Carol Ann has accumulated some amusing stories during  her time teaching, including a tale of two parents getting into a fight over their kids chess game. As we discuss, Carol Ann has worked closely with legendary teacher Bruce Pandolfini, and taught a 5 year-old Fabiano Caruana! If you are a chess parent, a teacher, or simply someone who would like to be able to teach a new player the game effectively, this is the episode for you. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

0:00- Thanks to our presenting chess education sponsor, Chessable.com. In addition to GM Friedel’s course, Endgame Labyrinths is now on Chessable.  If you use the link below to sign up for Perpetual Chess, it helps to support the pod! 

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

0:01- What advice would Carol Ann give to those facilitating scholastic chess classes? 

12:00- What recommendations would Carol Ann give for anyone teaching chess to a brand new player? Should we let the kids win? 

15:00- Has Carol Ann noticed a difference in teaching chess to girls and teaching chess to boys? 

Mentioned: My 60 Memorable Games 

20:00- What advice does she give to parents whose kids become tournament players? 

23:00- Carol Ann discusses some of her star students, including a 5 year-old Fabiano Caruana 

Mentioned: Bruce Pandolfini, GM Robert Hess 

27:00- How is it different teaching chess as part of a curriculum compared to after school classes or chess clubs? 

28:30- Carol Ann shares a story of two parents getting in a fight over a game during parent visitation day. 

32:00- In the age of devices, does Carol Ann notice any difference in the attention span of kids? 

Mentioned: Paul Morphy, Judit Polgar 

34:00- Should “touch-move” be enforced with kids? 

36:30- What can teachers and volunteers do to help make up for any shortcomings in the school systems?

39:00- Has Carol Ann noticed any change in the popularity of chess in the wake of Queen’s Gambit? 

40:30- What skills does Carol Ann think chess might help develop? 

43:00- Carol Ann shares some closing recommendations for resources Mentioned:

Jeff Coakley’s books, Everyone’s First Chess Workbook 

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