No Stress Chess by Winning Moves Games USA, Celebrating 20 Years as the Chess Teaching Game Using Innovative Action Cards, for 2 Players, Ages 7+ (1091)

Bottom line: you could make your own set of six directional cards for each piece.No Stress Chess provides several advantages for anyone new to the game--including me. I purchased this No Stress Chess set to introduce my grandchildren to the game. So far, it is the four-year old who likes to play it. The older ones prefer checkers, though they do like to put the chess pieces on top of the checkers to liven up the game. ( Note to other adults with a similar goal, I wish I'd introduced chess to the others by at least five years of age.)After two games, my granddaughter could correctly arrange the pieces on the board and by the fifth game she decided to challenge herself and use the standard or "grown-up" side of the board without referring to the picture on the back of the box. From the beginning, we used the cards to see which way a piece could move. At first, we each got a set of cards consisting one each of a rook, a knight, a bishop, the king, the queen and a pawn. Later she decided we could share one set which she would line up off to the side of the board. Each card has the name of the piece at the top, a clear picture of the piece, and another picture of a small chessboard with arrows that show the direction the piece may move. Initially, the most helpful card was for the pawn, because it clearly shows that it can move twice the first time, once afterwards, and can only take another piece with a diagonal move. Without the card, this would have been difficult to explain.--we're still working on the "horsie." We found all the directional cards quite useful. Actually, imo, these directional cards are the best part of this game. Being able to refer to them allowed my granddaughter to be much more independent while learning. The cards provide visual aids that make the basic concepts much easier to grasp than verbal instructions alone. She didn't have to ask me about the rules over and over and she could actively participate from the first game. On her own, she learned to use the cards to plot strategy, for instance, figuring out how to sacrifice the pawn to free up her rook. Being able to refer to the cards allowed her to be confident and independent from the beginning. In short, they're great.We have not used the cards that suggest moves, so I can't comment on them. Maybe we will use them some day, but I rather doubt it. If you already have a chess set, you could easily refer to the illustration on the box provided here on Amazon and make your own set of six directional cards.The box is shiny and quite attractive. The pieces are black or white, lightweight plastic, the pawns are about an inch high and the king is about two inches high. The side of the chessboard that provides "hints" has the name of the piece printed on its beginning position, and it hasl arrows showing how a pawn can move the first time. No Stress Chess definitely made learning chess easy and enjoyable for both of us.The price is reasonable and I do not regret this purchase. But we already have two chess sets so this is just one more to store. Based on my experience using No Stress Chess, were I to do this again, I'd have taken a picture of the rook, knight, bishop, queen, king, and pawn from my own chess set and printed them out. Using your computer or colored pencils, you could include the name of the piece and a small chessboard on which you've drawn the directions that piece can move. Either way, this is a great way for kids and adults to learn to play chess. To encourage her, I've let her win a few times, but she's also surprised me with a checkmate more than once.

So this game is a FANTASTIC way to learn chess. It's not the ONLY way, but it's an easy way for a parent who wants to play with their kid, but doesn't have time to learn with their kid teaching them.All of my kids (including my 5-6 year old, who can't even read!) have learned chess using this game. My nephew came over and was talking about wanting to learn chess, so we gave him No-Stress Chess for Christmas.Here's how it works:There's a deck of cards, and each card has a piece on it, with its allowable moves (graphically illustrated). There are also "move any piece you like" cards.* Level 1 - Set the board up as shown on the side with the pictures of pieces. The white color draws the first card, and moves one of their pieces as described. There are no real rules aside from that. If you don't have the piece described, you lose that turn. You CAN put your king into danger. Game is over only when the king is captured.This is brilliant because it's teaching the mechanics of how the pieces move, giving you a big picture of overall goal, but tying the arm of strategy behind your back. Thus, no-stress! It's the luck of the draw, and all you have to remember is when the king is captured, the game is over.* Level 2 - Once you have mastered how all the pieces move, it's time to throw a LITTLE strategy into the mix. Like level 1, you set the board up and shuffle up the cards. But in level 2, you draw a hand of 3 cards. Each turn, you pick a card to play, and play it. At the end of your turn, you draw a replacement card.This is a great progression because it allows for some strategic thought, but doesn't open wide the doors. You have a selection of pieces you can choose from that makes sense to win the game, but doesn't paralyze the player with too many choices! It builds that strategic muscle. You can progress here to a 5-card hand, if you want, too, which allows for even more strategic thinking.Level 3 - In no time at all, you'll find yourself wanting to play regular chess, and this game has all the regular rules of chess when you're ready for them. Flip the board over to the side where the pieces aren't printed on the board for easy setup, and you're ready to begin your journey to grand master.I love this game and highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn chess, but who is intimidated by all the variety of pieces, etc.

I first learned about this from a friend who purchased this for her 7-year old grandson. She stated that he was extremely happy to play this and his parents, whom play very little to no chess, are also learning as they go along.We purchased this for our grandson who is 11. He has not played chess before and thought this would be a great starter for him as well. Fingers crossed!PROS: Excellent quality, designed and advertised correctly. Great for ANY age, for those wishing to learn the game.CONS: None noted