CHESS FOR

YOUNG THINKERS
WORKBOOK 2

ADRIANA
BIAGI
MONTOYA
 Chess for young thinkers by Adriana Biagi

Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved. The total or partial reproduction of this work, including its cover and other elements,
in any form, graphic, audiovisual, electronic or digital, is prohibited without due authorization from the author.
Illustrations by Adriana Cortés
Design by Adriana Biagi Montoya ISBN xxxxxxxxxxxx / Printed in Colombia
 CHESS
WORKBOOK
Level 2

ADRIANA BIAGI M.
 INTRODUCTION
Welcome to “Chess for Young Thinkers”, the exciting
Workbook 2 in the Chess For Kids series!

In this book, children will have the opportunity to dive deeper

into the world of chess. This intermediate level workbook
builds upon the foundational knowledge of the previous level
and introduces more advanced concepts and strategies to
help students improve their chess skills.

Whether they're beginners or already familiar with the basics,

“Chess for Young Thinkers” is here to help children sharpen
their skills and become masterminds on the chessboard.

Get ready for an adventure filled with learning and fun!

To my children, your support and enthusiasm drive me to continue this journey.
To my parents, your faith in me has always been my guiding light.
This book is for you.
CONTENT
A Chess Story: The Quest For The Missing Chess Pieces
Unit 1: Understanding Strategy Page
Reviewing Chess Basics 12

Unit 2: The Three Phases of Chess 16

Phase 1: The Opening 17

• Developing your pieces 18

• Basic Opening Strategies 21

• Castling 26
Phase 2: The Middlegame 32

• Basic Tactics: Fork, Pin and Skewer 33

• Fork 34

• Pin 37

• Skewer 41
Phase 3: The Endgame 43

• Pawn Promotion 44

• Check 48

• Checkmate and Stalemate 53

• Types of Checks and Stalemates 55

A Chess Story: The Quest For One sunny morning, Nico and Sara
decided to take a different path than
The Missing Chess Pieces usual. As they ventured deeper into the
forest, they found a clearing unlike any
Once upon a time, in a peaceful little they had seen before. In the middle of
village near a big forest, lived two the clearing stood a gigantic
curious friends named Nico and Sara. chessboard with some of its pieces
They loved to play around the woods, missing.
but there was one part they had never
visited before.

Escena 2: Nico y Sara encuentran el claro

del bosque con el tablero gigante, algunas
piezas volcadas
Excited by their discovery, Nico and
Sara decided to embark on a quest to
find the missing chess pieces. They
searched high and low, through
thickets and bushes, until they stumbled
upon the ruins of an ancient castle
Escena 4: En el salón del castillo están el rey
guarded by a Knight, two Rooks and a
y la reina en tronos, al lado el obispo (al l).
pawn. Los niños al frente con las manos atadas y
vigilados por el peón y el caballo.

Escena 3: Nico y Sara afuera de las ruinas

del castillo (mitad negro y mitad blanco), en
una torre blanca está el caballero con una
espada, en la torre negra un peón con una Before they knew it, Nico and Sara
lanza. Apuntan sus armas hacia los niños. found themselves under attack,
captured, and brought before the
King, the Queen, and the Bishop of the
castle. The royal couple demanded to
know why the children had trespassed
into their domain.
fi
With hearts pounding, Nico and Sara Filled with compassion, Nico and Sara
explained what they found in the promised the King and Queen that
woods and their quest to find the they would return to use the
missing chess pieces. chessboard and organize tournaments
so that the inhabitants of the castle
could thrive once again. Grateful for
their kindness, the King and Queen
released Nico and Sara and promised
to go back to the chessboard.
Escena 5: La reina imagina el tablero en
ruinas y las piezas volcadas deshaciéndose
en el viento

Escena 6: En el salón del castillo todos se

abrazan felices.
To their surprise, the Queen told them
that all the inhabitants of the castle
were once part of the chessboard, but
they had to flee because nobody
came to play anymore, putting them
at risk of disappearing forever.
 From that day forward, the chessboard
was alive with activity as Nico and Sara
told their friends about their quest and
organized many chess tournaments.
From then on, the forest was filled with
the sounds of children and their families
playing chess and having fun together,
bringing the magical world of chess
back to life.

Nico and Sara returned to the giant

chessboard and watched happily as
the knight, bishop, king, queen, pawn,
and the two rooks returned to their
places on the board. When the kids
stepped back, a magical glow
surrounded the chessboard, and the
pieces came to life, ready to play
again.
LET’S BEGIN!
UNIT 1:
REVIEWING
CHESS BASICS
Reviewing Chess Basics
Let’s remember The board
Exercise 1
• Color a file with blue. __
8

• Color a rank with red. 7

• Color a diagonal with green.
6
• Draw a red rectangle around ranks
1 and 2. Which army starts here? 5
__________________
4
• Draw a blue rectangle around ranks
7 and 8. Which army starts here? __
3 d3
__________________ 2
• Complete the letters to name the
ranks. 1

• Complete the numbers to name the __

a b c d e __
f g h
files.
• Name each square:

12
Let’s remember The chessmen and their territory
Exercise 1
8
• Complete the labels for each side
of the board using the following 7
words: Queen - King - Black - ________
side
White 6
• Mark with green all the Queen
side. 5

• Mark with red the King side of the 4

Black side.
• How many chessmen in each 3
army? ______ ________
2 side
• How many pawns in the white
army? ______
1
• How many rooks in total? ______
• How many bishops in total? ______ a b c d e f g h
• How many knights in the black
army? ______
• Where does the white king start ________ side ________ side
the game? ______

13
Let’s remember The chessmen

King
What is it
called?

Q
What is its
symbol?

3
What is its
value?

2
How many in
each army?
How does it
move?
How does it The same as
capture? it moves

Yes
Can it move
backward?

Can it jump? No
14
 UNIT 2:
THE THREE
PHASES OF CHESS
Unit 2: The Three Phases of Chess
Let’s learn Welcome to the exciting world of chess phases! In this lesson, we'll explore the three
main parts of a chess game: the opening, the middlegame, and the endgame. Each
phase has its own goals and strategies that will help you play better and win more
games. Let's dive in and become chess strategists!

Phase 2: The Phase 3: The

Middlegame Endgame
8 8 8
7 Phase 1: 7 7
6
The Opening 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

16
Phase 1: The Opening
Let’s learn These are your goals:

Control the
center with your Don’t move
pawns. the same piece
twice without a
Develop
good reason.
your pieces
(bring your
pieces out from
their starting
positions)

Don't move
your queen too Castle
early unless you (Rooks are
really need to. connected and
king is safe)

17
• Developing your Pieces
Let’s learn
Why is Piece
Development Important?
Developing your pieces means getting them out from their 1. Control the Center: When you
move your pieces towards the
starting positions and into the game where they can be most center, you control more squares
effective. This lesson will help you understand why it's crucial and create more opportunities
for attack.
to develop your knights and bishops early and how this
strategy can give you control over the center of the board.
Controlling the
center of the chessboard,
which includes the squares e4,
d4, e5, and d5, is very important.
When you control the center, your
8 pieces can move around more
easily and take control of
7 more space.

5 2. Increase Mobility:
Developed pieces have more
4 freedom to move around and
participate in the game.
3

2
3. Prepare for Attack: Early
1 development sets up your pieces
for future tactics and
a b c d e f g h strategies.

18
Let’s practice

Exercise 1 Exercise 2
Advance the Center pawns, use Move the knights, use arrows and Exercise 3
arrows and draw their new draw their new positions: Develop bishops, use arrows and
positions: For White, move the knight from draw their new positions:
Move the e2 pawn to e4 and the g1 to f3 and the knight from b1 to For White, move the bishop from f1
d2 pawn to d4 for White. c3. to c4 and c1 to f4.
Move the e7 pawn to e5 and the For Black, move the knight from g8 For Black, move the bishop from f8
d7 pawn to d5 for Black. to f6 and the knight from b8 to c6. to c5 and c8 to f5.

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

19
 Exercise 6
Practice developing both
Let’s practice
knights and bishops in the
opening moves of a game,
focusing on controlling the
Exercise 5 center squares. Write the
Exercise 4 Practice moving the bishops notation of your moves:
Practice moving the knights to to active squares where they 1. ____________ ______________
positions where they control can influence the center. 2. ____________ ______________
the center of the board. Write Write the notation of your 3. ____________ ______________
the notation of your moves: moves: 4. ____________ ______________
1. ____________ ______________ 1. ____________ ______________ 5. ____________ ______________
2. ____________ ______________ 2. ____________ ______________ 6. ____________ ______________
3. ____________ ______________ 3. ____________ ______________ 7. ____________ ______________
4. ____________ ______________ 4. ____________ ______________ 8. ____________ ______________

8 8 8

7 7 7

6 6 6

5 5 5

4 4 4

3 3 3

2 2 2

1 1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

20
• Basic Opening Strategies Chess openings are the initial moves of a chess game,
where players develop their pieces and establish their
Let’s learn
positions on the board. These are the most famous:

1. The Italian Game 2. The Ruy-Lopez (Spanish

Moves: Opening)
1. e4 e5 Moves: 3. The Sicilian Defense
2. Nf3 Nc6 1. e4 e5 Moves:
3. Bc4. … 2. Nf3 Nc6 1. e4 c5
3. Bb5 …
Explanation: In the Italian Game, Explanation: The Sicilian Defense is
you move your pawn to the center Explanation: The Ruy-Lopez starts a strong response to the first move
(e4), bring out your knight (Nf3), like the Italian Game, but then you e4. Instead of copying your move,
and then move your bishop to a move your bishop to a square your opponent pushes their pawn
square where it can see the center where it can put pressure on your to c5. This opening helps the black
(Bc4). This opening helps you opponent's knight (Bb5). This can pieces control the center from the
control the center and get your make it harder for your opponent side and prepares for a powerful
pieces ready to attack. to protect their king. attack later.

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

21
Let’s learn

6. The Queen’s Gambit

Moves:
4. The French Defense 5. The Caro-Kann Defense 1. d4 d5
Moves: Moves: 2. c4 …
1. e4 e6 1. e4 c6
Explanation: The Queen’s Gambit
Explanation: In the French Explanation: The Caro-Kann begins with you moving your
Defense, your opponent moves Defense starts with your opponent pawn to d4, then your opponent
their pawn to e6 instead of e5. This moving their pawn to c6. This moves their pawn to d5. Next, you
prepares to push another pawn to move prepares to push another move your pawn to c4, offering it
d5, challenging your control of the pawn to d5, attacking your center as a "gambit" or temporary
center and creating a strong pawn and setting up a solid sacrifice to control the center and
pawn structure. defense for the black pieces. open lines for your pieces.

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

22
Basic Opening Strategies Summary
Let’s learn

1. Italian Game: Move your pawn to the center, bring out your
knight, and then your bishop.
2. Ruy-Lopez (Spanish Opening): Start like the Italian Game, then
move your bishop to put pressure on your opponent’s knight.
3. Sicilian Defense: Your opponent moves their pawn to c5 to control
the center from the side.
4. French Defense: Your opponent moves their pawn to e6, preparing
to push another pawn to d5.
5. Caro-Kann Defense: Your opponent moves their pawn to c6,
preparing to challenge your center pawn.
6. Queen’s Gambit: Move your pawn to d4, then c4 to control the
center and open lines.

23
Let’s practice Exercise 1: Write down the first moves of each opening.

2. The Ruy-Lopez (Spanish Opening)

1. The Italian Game Moves:
Moves:
1. __________ __________
1. __________ __________ 2. __________ __________ 3. The Sicilian Defense
Moves:
2. __________ __________ 3. __________
3. __________ 1. __________ __________

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

24
Let’s practice

6. The Queen’s Gambit

Moves:
5. The Caro-Kann Defense
4. The French Defense Moves:
Moves: 1. __________ __________
1. __________ __________ 2. __________
1. __________ __________

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

25
• Castling
Let’s learn

8
Castling is an incredibly
important strategy in chess, especially 7
in the opening of the game.
6
Why is Castling important?
1. It moves your king to a safer spot in 5
the corner of the board where it's less
likely to be attacked. 4
2. It gets one of your rooks closer to
3
the center of the board, making it
more active. 2
And you can do all this in just one
1
move!
a b c d e f g h

Castling Rules:
•The king and rook have not moved Castling is the only time in chess
before. that two pieces can move at once, and
•There are no pieces between them. the only time a piece other than the
•The king is not under attack knight can move over another piece.
•The rook is or isn’t under
attack.

26
 Queen side
Let’s learn

7
King side
6

5
8
4
7
King side 3
6 Castling (short):
The King moves 2 2
squares to the right
5 and the Rook 1
moves 2 squares
4 to the left.
a b c d e f g h
3

2 Queen side
Queen side Castling Notation:
1 Castling (long): 0-0-0
King side
The King moves 2
Castling
a b c d e f h squares to the left
g Notation: 0-0
and the Rook
moves 3 squares
to the right.

27
Let’s practice _____________ side _____________ side

Exercise 1
• Draw a red line dividing King and 8
Queen’s sides.
7
• Label each side.
• Explain Queen side (short) castling: 6
___________________________________
5
___________________________________
• Explain King side (long) castling: 4
___________________________________
3
___________________________________
• On which side should White castle? 2
___________________________________
1
• Draw a green arrow for the king’s
movement and a red arrow for the a b c d e f h
g
rook’s movement.
• Label the 2 possible castling. __________ _______
__________ _______
28
Let’s practice

Exercise 2 Exercise 3
Queen side castling for Black is shown. King side castling for Black is shown.

For White: For White:

• Color the starting square for the • Color the starting square for the
white king and the white rook. white king and the white rook.
• Draw a green arrow showing the • Draw a green arrow showing the
movement of the king. movement of the king.
• Draw a red arrow showing the • Draw a red arrow showing the
movement of the rook. movement of the rook.

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

29
 Exercise 4: Can you castle? Draw a green arrow for the king and a red arrow for the rook.
Let’s practice
Then, color the box with your answer.

8
7
6
5
8
4
7
3
6
2
5
1 8
4
a b c d e f g h 7
3
White to move: Yes No 6
2
5
1
4
a b c d e f g h
3
Black to move: Yes No
2
1
a b c d e f g h
White to move: Yes No

30
 Exercise 5: Can you castle? Draw a green arrow for the king and a red arrow for the rook.
Let’s practice
Then, color the box with your answer.

8
7
6
5
8
4
7
3
6
2
5
1
8
4
a b c d e f g h
7
3 Black to move: Yes No
6
2
5
1
4
a b c d e f g h
3 White to move: Yes No
2
1
a b c d e f g h
Black to move: Yes No

31
Phase 2: The Middlegame
Let’s learn Now that you control the center of the board with your pawns, developed your pieces, and castled
to protect your king…… Welcome to the middlegame! This phase comes after the opening and before
most pieces are captured. It's the heart of chess where your pieces interact more, allowing you to
execute clever strategies and outsmart your opponent.

These are your goals:

3. Controlling
1. Planning and Key Squares
Executing Tactics and Open Files 5. King Safety
Use short-term Control Keep your king
plans, such as important safe even if it's 6. Preparing for
forks, pins, and 2. Creating and squares and castled. Watch the Endgame
skewers, to win
material or gain a
Exploiting files to restrict 4. Developing for threats and As pieces are
Weaknesses your and make defensive traded, plan for
better position. Attack weak spots opponent’s moves when
Coordinating the endgame
in your opponent’s movement and Your Pieces needed. by advancing
position, like improve your Position your pawns,
unprotected piece mobility. knights, bishops, positioning your
pieces or exposed rooks, and king, and
kings, while queen to ensuring your
keeping your own support each pieces remain
pieces safe. other and effective.
create threats.

32
Basic Tactics: Fork, Pin and Skewer
Let’s learn Insertar una
imagen de un
tenedor

Welcome to the exciting world of chess tactics! In

Fork
this section, we will learn about three important
tactics that can help you become a better chess
player: forks, pins, and skewers. Understanding and
using these tactics will give you an advantage over
your opponent and make your games more fun and
challenging.

Pin
What are Tactics?
Insertar una
imagen de un
gancho de
Tactics are short-term moves that create immediate ropa

threats or opportunities in the game. They often

involve a combination of moves that can win you
material (like capturing a piece) or create a better
position for you. Let's explore the three basic tactics:

Skewer Insertar una

imagen de un
pincho
metálico

33
• Fork
Target Multiple
Let’s learn Pieces: Try to place your
Knight's L-Shaped Move: knights knight where it can attack
move in an L-shape: two squares in one two important pieces at the
direction and then one square to the side, or same time, like a rook and
A fork happens when one of your one square in one direction and then two a queen, or a king and a
pieces, usually a knight, attacks two or squares to the side. rook.

more of your opponent's pieces at the

same time. This puts your opponent in
a difficult position, because they can
usually only move one piece, leaving 8

the other piece open to be taken.

Gain Material:
Making your 7
opponent move only
one piece usually lets
Knights are especially good at making you capture the other 6
one, giving you an
forks because of their special advantage in the
L-shaped move. game. 5

a b c d e f g h

34
Let’s learn
8

7
This is a “royal fork”: attacking the king and
queen. The king will have to move, and White will 6
capture the queen or the rook.
5
8
4
7
3
6
2
5
1
4
a b c d e f g h
3 A fork can also attack a crucial square, setting up
a checkmate. In this case:
2 Black moves Qe6, and White Rh7++

a b c d e f g h

35
Let’s practice

Exercise 1 Exercise 2
White to move. Which piece can White to move. Use a fork to attack. Exercise 3
fork 2 black pieces to gain Draw your move and write the White to move. Use a fork to gain
material? notation: _____________ a rook.
Draw your move and write the How is this special fork called? Draw your move and write the
notation: _____________ _________________________________ notation: _____________

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

36
• Pin
Let’s learn

A Pin happens when a piece is attacked, but it can't move

because doing so would put a more valuable piece (like the king
or queen) in danger. Pins can be Absolute or Relative.

The White
The White
8 8 bishop is
bishop is
pinning the knight
pinning the knight
to the Black King.
7 7 to the Black queen.
In a relative pin, the
This is an Absolute Pin: 6 6 pinned piece is
the knight is covering
shielding another piece,
an attack to your King. 5 5 but not the King.
Since it’s illegal to
4 4 Moving the Black knight
make a move that
is legal, but you may
would put your king
in check, the
3 3 not want to do it, as
the bishop will be
pinned piece 2 2 able to capture
literally cannot
the Black
move. 1 1 queen.
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

37
Let’s learn
Why only the bishop, rook and queen can pin?

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

1. Bishop: 2. Rook: 3. Queen:

Moves Diagonally: The bishop can Moves Straight: The rook can move Moves Like Both: The queen can
move any number of squares any number of squares up, down, move any number of squares in
diagonally. This means it can left, or right. This means it controls any direction—diagonally,
control long diagonal lines on the entire rows and columns. vertically, and horizontally. It
board. Why It Can Pin: Because it can combines the movements of both
Why It Can Pin: Because it controls control entire rows and columns, it the bishop and the rook.
long diagonals, it can place itself can place itself in a position where Why It Can Pin: Because it moves in
in a position where one of your one of your opponent's pieces is in all directions, it can create pins on
opponent's pieces is in line with a line with a more valuable piece both diagonals and straight lines,
more valuable piece behind it, behind it, creating a pin. making it the most versatile piece
creating a pin. for pinning.

38
 Exercise 1: Draw a red arrow to show the pin. Is it absolute or relative? Write your answer in the line
Let’s practice
below each diagram.

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

39
 Exercise 2: Which piece would you use to create a pin? Use Chess Notation to write your move and
Let’s practice
draw a red arrow to show it.

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Black to move: White to move:

40
• Skewer
Let’s learn

The White
queen skewers the
A skewer happens when a valuable piece (like the king or Black king and rook.
queen) is in front of a less valuable piece (like a rook, bishop, Notice that the more
important piece (the
or pawn) on the same line. When the valuable piece is attacked, king) is in front.
it has to move, exposing the less valuable piece to capture.

8 8
Like the pin,
the skewer is a 7 7
“straight lines”
tactic (only being 6 6
possible along ranks,
files and diagonals) 5
and so it is only
5
executed by the
queen, rooks and 4 4
bishops. In this case
the White bishop 3 3
skewers the
queen and the 2 2
rook.
1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

41
 Exercise 2: Which piece would you use to create a skewer? Use Chess Notation to write your move
Let’s practice
and draw a green arrow to show it.

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Black to move: White to move:

42
Phase 3: The Endgame
Let’s learn
Welcome to the final phase of a chess game: the endgame! The endgame begins when most of the
pieces have been traded, and only a few pieces remain on the board. This phase is all about using
your remaining pieces effectively to checkmate your opponent or secure a draw. Let’s explore the key
concepts and strategies of the endgame.

These are your goals:

4. Achieving
Checkmate or
1. Pawn
Stalemate:
Advancement:
Use your knowledge
Try to advance your
3. King Activity: of checkmate
pawns to promote
In the endgame, patterns and
them. This can give
your king becomes a stalemates to either
you a material 2. Piece
powerful piece. Use win the game or
advantage and Coordination:
it to support your force a draw if you
more options for Even with fewer
pawns and control are behind.
checkmate. pieces, it’s important
to coordinate them important squares.
effectively. Work
together with your
remaining pieces to
control the board
and create threats.

43
• Pawn Promotion 2.
Let’s learn Choose the
Piece: Decide
which piece you
When a pawn advances all the way want your pawn
to become.
to the opposite side of the board, it 1. Advance
the Pawn: Move
must be promoted to another piece. your pawn to the
The pawn can be exchanged for any opponent's back
piece, except for another king. The rank.
3.
most common choice is to promote Replace the
the pawn to a queen because the 8
Pawn: Swap the
pawn with the
queen is the most powerful piece. 7 chosen piece on
However, you can also choose to the board.
6
promote the pawn to a rook, bishop,
5
or knight, depending on the situation. When the pawn is exchanged for a
4
queen, the move is called a
3
promotion. When the pawn is
2
exchanged for a rook, bishop or
1 knight, the move is called an
a b c d e f g h underpromotion, just because
these pieces are considered to be
"less powerful” than the queen.

44
 Exercise 1: Draw a red arrow and write the chess notation for each move under each diagram. Observe
Let’s practice
the sequence to achieve the pawn promotion. What will be your move to promote in the last diagram?

8 8 8 8
7 7 7 7
6 6 6 6
5 5 5 5
4 4 4 4
3 3 3 3
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
Black to move: cxb6 White to move: ___________ Black to move: ___________ White to move: ___________

8 8 8 8
7 7 7 7
6 6 6 6
5 5 5 5
4 4 4 4
3 3 3 3
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
Black to move: ___________ White to move: ___________ Black to move: ___________ White to move: ___________

45
Let’s learn This is an amazing example of an underpromotion!

8 8 8 8
7 7 7 7
6 6 6 6
5 5 5 5
4 4 4 4
3 3 3 3
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

The king
Check out the had to run And guess what!
chess notation for because he White captured the queen
So by was in check! with Nxb6.
this move: c8N.
underpromoting to
Remember that after a knight, white used
promoting, you must wait a fork to attack both
for your opponent to the queen and
move before its your the king!
turn again.

46
Let’s practice Exercise 2: It’s your turn. Work with your classmates and create an endgame with pawn promotion.

8 8 8 8
7 7 7 7
6 6 6 6
5 5 5 5
4 4 4 4
3 3 3 3
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

47
• Check
Let’s learn

A check happens when one player's King is in

danger of being captured by the other player's 8
pieces. We say that the King is being Checked.

7
It’s like a warning to the King that it needs to move
to a safe spot or use another piece to protect itself.
6

5
The
black bishop moved to
b7 and is checking the white 4
king! The notation for the bishop’s
move is: Bb7+. White must
make a move to get out 3
of check.

2
In a chess game, it is
considered polite to alert your
opponent when their king is under
1
attack by saying “check" -- without
screaming it.
a b c d e f g h

48
Let’s learn 8
7
There are three ways to get out of The white
6
check: capture, protect, and run knight captured
away. One cool way to remember the piece which 5
was checking
this is “C.P.R.”, a life-saving 4
the king.
technique to save a person who 3
can’t breathe. Now you know
2
C.P.R. for your king!
1

a b c d e f g h

8 8
7 7
White 6
6
White used the
moved the king 5 bishop as a 5
to get out of shield to block the 4
4
check. In this check from the
case, the king 3 attacking piece. 3
ran away. 2 It protected 2
the king!
1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

49
Let’s learn
8

In this position, all three ways 7

of getting out of check are
possible: capturing, protecting 6
and running away. But which
5
one is best? Let’s analyze
each one….. 4

xBb4
3
You might think
it's awesome to
capture the bishop 2
on b4, but be careful!
Black could use their 1
rook from a8 to
take yours!
a b c d e f g h

Rd2
Protecting your king by Ke2 or Kf1
blocking the attack with your rook Yay! Running away was the best
on d2 isn't the best move because choice in this situation!
then the black bishop could
grab it!

50
Let’s practice

Exercise 3
Exercise 2 Black to move. Where can
White to move. Draw a line to the bishop in b6 move to
show a move that will put the check the white king? Draw a
black king in check.
line to show your move and
Exercise 1
Write the notation of your write the correct notation:
I s t h e re a c h e c k i n t h i s
position? Draw stars to show it. move: ________ _________

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5

4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

51
Let’s practice

Exercise 6
In this position, white has two
options to protect their king.
Exercise 4 Exercise 5
They can either move the king
Draw arrows to show how the Draw an arrow to show how
or block the check using the
white king can move out of white can capture the
check to a safe square. “checker” and escape queen. Which option is
check. better? Draw and name your
Name your move: ________ Name your move: ________ chosen option. _________

8 8 8

7 7 7

6 6 6

5 5 5

4 4 4

3 3 3

2 2 2

1 1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

52
• Checkmate and Stalemate
Let’s learn

When the King can't get away... Checkmate! You win if one Black 8
has
of your pieces says "check," and the enemy King can't attacked all 7
C.P.R.: they can't capture, protect or run away! the squares the
white king could 6
run to. But as he is
Stalemate happens in chess when one player's king is not not being
5
attacked, it is
checked, but they can't move anywhere legally. This means not a
the game ends in a tie because neither player can win. Checkmate! 4

2
8 Oh
no! The 1
7 black
bishop on d5
6 is checking
a b c d e f g h
the white king
5 on h1:
Checkmate! Kings can't move to places
4 And guess that are dangerous! In this game, the white
what? The king doesn't have any safe spots (every move would
bishop on c5 is make him get checked). Because of not checking
3 keeping the the right way, the game ends in a Stalemate
king from (both sides tie).
2 escaping
to g1...
1

a b c d e f g h

53
 Remember to ask yourself:
Exercise 1: Is this Checkmate?
1. Is the king Checked?
Let’s practice Circle Yes or No below each
2. Can they C.P.R.?
diagram.

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
Yes No Yes No Yes No

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
Yes No Yes No Yes No

54
• Types of Checks and Checkmates
Let’s learn There are 3 types of Checks:

3. Discovered Check
1. Basic Check 2. Double Check This occurs when moving one
A check is when your king is A double check happens when piece reveals an attack on the
under attack and could be two pieces check the king at king from another piece, and
captured on the next move. the same time. sometimes, an attack to
What to do: You must get out of What to do: The only way to another piece.
check by moving the king, escape a double check is to What to do: You must respond
blocking the attack with another move the king since blocking or by moving the king, blocking, or
piece, or capturing the attacking capturing won't stop both capturing the piece that gives
piece. In other words: CPR threats. the check. In other words: CPR

8 8 8

7 7 7

6 6 6

5 5 5

4 4 4

3 3 3

2 2 2

1 1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

55
 Exercise 1: All diagrams show a Discovered Check. Write the notation, draw a green and a red
Let’s practice arrow to show the attack and the Check. In the example, the white knight captures the black
knight in c6 and attacks the black queen. The white rook checks the black king!

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
Nxc6
White to move: ________________ White to move: ________________ White to move: ________________

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
Black to move: ________________ Black to move: ________________ White to move: ________________

56
Let’s learn There are also 3 types of Checkmates:
3. Smothered Checkmate:
This checkmate happens when
the king is surrounded by its own
1. Basic Checkmate 2. Back Rank Checkmate: pieces and a knight delivers
A checkmate happens when the This occurs when a king is trapped on checkmate. For example, a
king is in check and there’s no the back row (the rank it started on) knight moves to a position
way to move out of it. For and a rook or queen moves to deliver where the king cannot escape
example, if your queen and checkmate. The pawns in front of the because its own pieces block all
pawn are positioned to trap the king often block its escape. the escape squares.
enemy king so it can’t escape. What to do: Always watch your back What to do: Be careful not to
Goal: Win the game by delivering rank and create escape squares for trap your own king with too
checkmate. your king by moving a pawn. many pieces around it.

8 8 8

7 7 7

6 6 6

5 5 5

4 4 4

3 3 3

2 2 2

1 1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

57
 Exercise 1: Checkmate in one move! Write the notation, remember to add ++ to show the
Let’s practice
Checkmate. Then, draw a green and a red arrow to show the attack and the Checkmate.

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
Ba6++
White to move: ________________ White to move: ________________ Black to move: ________________

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
White to move: ________________ Black to move: ________________ White to move: ________________

58
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Chesskid (s.f.) https://www.chesskid.com/home

Aprende con rey (s.f.) https://aprendeconrey.com/

Chacón, J. 1a Edición, junio de 2012. El gran ajedrez para pequeños

ajedrecistas Guía didáctica y práctica para la enseñanza del ajedrez
como herramienta en el ámbito educativo. Consejería de
Educación, Formación y Empleo.

Ajedrez en la escuela. https://ajedrezalaescuela.eu/ Kid Chess.

https://www.kidchess.com/play-chess/
 Adriana Biagi Montoya

Author

Continuing from where the first book left off,

this second volume, "Chess for Young Thinkers,"
dives deeper into the strategies and tactics of
the game. Children will explore advanced
moves, understand the importance of the
opening, middlegame, and endgame, and
learn special tactics.
This book is designed to help young players
sharpen their skills, think strategically, and
enjoy the thrill of chess. Parents and educators
will find this resource invaluable for guiding
children through more complex concepts and
helping them become confident chess
players.