And checkers, the game of learning-disabled kings

Road trip time, kids! Yeah, that’s right; we’re driving up to Grandma’s again.

What? No, we’re not going to visit her. I know you love her. She’s your Grandma. You’re supposed to love her. But no, we’re just driving up there and back because it’s just enough time for the two of you to play two games of chess under standard 40/2 SD/1 time control.

Yes, you have to play in the car. You want to get better at chess, don’t you?

No, you can’t stay home and play here. You think I’m stupid? You’ll say you’re going to play chess, but then you’ll be up every five minutes to get a glass of water, or go to the bathroom, and before I know it, you’ll both have sneaked outside to pick dandelions or something. No, I want you buckled into the station wagon where there’ll be no distractions from your games.

Kayla, grab the Excalibur set. The Einstein “Master Chess” one. That’s the one with the nice, strong magnets on the pieces so they won’t slide around when I take the entrance and exit ramps. Kendra, get a couple juice boxes from the fridge, because this is going to be a non-stop trip, OK?

Right, you get carsick, sure. Try another one, Kendra. Listen, girls, I don’t want to hear it. You know our deal. You’re both going to be grandmasters, and until you are, no getting your ears pierced.

What’s that? You’re—whoa, are you really sick. Wait, don’t—Oh, gross, right on my pantleg. OK, fine, Kendra, you can stay home. Kayla, grab a rag for me, will you? I need to clean this up and change my pants. Then it looks like it’s just you and me making the trip up to Grandma’s and back. Lucky the Excalibur Einstein Master Chess game has a one-player mode!

Make good use of this practice time, Kendra, and you’ll be wearing earrings well before your sister. Maybe before you’re even six.

Back to top