Enhance your child's strategic thinking with our challenging chess worksheets designed specifically for ages 7-8. These engaging activities go beyond the basics, stimulating young minds to anticipate moves, evaluate outcomes, and make informed decisions on the chessboard. Each worksheet is expertly crafted to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and planning skills in a fun and interactive way. Perfect for young learners making their first strategic strides, our Extra Challenge Chess Worksheets provide a rewarding mental workout that keeps kids motivated and excited about mastering chess. Give your child the advantage of sharpened strategic abilities with every completed puzzle.


Check out this FREE Trial Lesson on Chess for age 7-8!

Special Moves: Castling

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  • 7-8
  • Strategic thinking development
  • Chess
  • Extra Challenge
Short Notation of Moves Worksheet
Short Notation of Moves Worksheet

Short Notation of Moves Worksheet

To master chess, you need more than just knowing the pieces and their moves - you need to be able to make notations of your moves. To make a short notation, write the piece name and square it moved to; for example, Bd2 for bishop on d2. Pawns don't need the piece name, just the square; e.g. g5. Show your kids how to draw lines to the board for the moves given.
Short Notation of Moves Worksheet
Worksheet
One Move Checkmates: Puzzle 2 Worksheet
One Move Checkmates: Puzzle 2 Worksheet

One Move Checkmates: Puzzle 2 Worksheet

Fine-tuning logic and critical thinking skills can be tricky but this free PDF offers a fun way for little logisticians to practice visual-spatial relationships and strategizing to checkmate the black king. It also boosts directional and reading skills which makes it a great brain-building puzzle.
One Move Checkmates: Puzzle 2 Worksheet
Worksheet
Castling No - no's: Part 2 Worksheet
Castling No - no's: Part 2 Worksheet

Castling No - no's: Part 2 Worksheet

Teach your child the rules of castling: no castling if the king is under attack or will move onto an attacked square, or cross an attack line. To prepare for a game of chess, help your child complete the exercise of identifying when the king can castle – check the pictures.
Castling No - no's: Part 2 Worksheet
Worksheet


Strategic thinking development is integral for young children, and using tools like Extra Challenge Chess for ages 7-8 can profoundly aid this development. Chess is more than just a game; it’s a multifaceted educational tool that sharpens cognitive abilities crucial for academic and personal growth. For children aged 7-8, who are in the early stages of formulating thought processes, intermediate-level chess challenges require both complex planning and immediate problem-solving. Through chess, children learn to foresee potential moves, consider various outcomes, and adjust strategies accordingly, enhancing their critical and strategic thinking skills.

Moreover, Extra Challenge Chess keeps children engaged, combining learning with fun. As children grapple with progressively tougher challenges, they cultivate patience and resilience, understanding that success often comes through perseverance. This versatile play-learning approach complements traditional educational methods, offering a holistic learning experience.

Lastly, playing chess promotes social interaction and fosters a competitive yet respectful spirit. It teaches children to win graciously and also to accept defeats, benefiting their emotional development. With strategic thinking honed early, children are better prepared for future academic challenges and real-world situations, laying a sturdy foundation for lifelong learning and problem-solving prowess. Therefore, integrating Extra Challenge Chess into a child’s routine is a valuable investment in their cognitive and emotional growth.