Play at home, 5 board-free games that use the chess pieces as characters

You do not need to know chess to play with chess pieces. These five games use the pieces as characters and practise memory, counting, directions and turn-taking. Each takes 5 to 10 minutes and works with any chess set.

1. Who is hiding?

Put three pieces in a row, let your child look, cover them with a cloth and take one away. Which character is missing? Add pieces to make it harder.

2. The rook's road

Lay a straight "road" of books or tape on the floor. The rook can only travel straight. Ask your child to walk the rook from one end to the other, then add a turn: can the rook get round the corner in two moves?

3. Bishop's slide

The bishop only slides on a slant. Draw a diagonal line on paper and let your child slide the bishop along it, then find another diagonal on the page.

4. Pawn parade

Line up the pawns. Each takes one small step forward per turn. Take turns moving one pawn; the first to reach the other side wins. It practises waiting and taking turns.

5. Tell me a story

Pick two pieces and make up a story together: where are they going, what do they find? Children remember how a piece moves much better once it has a personality.

Taking it further

Jupo World turns the pieces into friends with their own games, built on Judit Polgár's Chess Palace method. It is a good next step when your child enjoys these games and wants more.

Questions parents ask

What age are these games for?

They suit most children from about 4 to 7. Younger children enjoy the hiding and story games; older ones like the movement games.

Do we need a chessboard?

No. A chess set's pieces are enough, plus some paper or tape.