Understanding chess parenting
Parents play a significant role in a chess player's journey. In fact, forget chess for a moment. Go back to your own school days and think about what the environment at home was like during exams.
You can usually tell when exams are around the corner. The house gets a little quieter. Studies become the priority. TV, phones, and even guests come with restrictions. Those last-minute tips from parents before we leave for an exam are something most of us can relate to. So are the conversations that follow when we return home and tell them how the exam went. Sometimes, their words are encouraging. At other times, they might not be particularly helpful, even if they come from a place of concern.
Parents, too, are learning how to support their children through these moments. Every parent wants their children to do well, but knowing what to say, when to say it, and how to respond to different situations is something they have to learn.
The reason I mentioned exams is that it is an experience all of us can relate to. Chess tournaments are also kind of exams. Parents greatly influence how a child experiences the sport. Their support can make a huge difference. That's why they should know how to guide their child through this journey.
CM Gaurav Zagade, a chess coach and psychologist from Pune, has written a digital book on this very subject: The Right Way To Support. It is a digital book that explores how parents can guide their children through the challenges of competitive chess.
Gaurav has spent around fifteen years in competitive chess. He won a silver medal in the U-18 category at the Commonwealth tournament in 2019. He currently works as a chess coach. He also provides sports psychology counselling to chess players and parents.
Through his work with chess players and parents, Gaurav recognised the importance of understanding the psychological side of the game. While a lot of attention is given to ratings, tournament results and performance, what a child experiences along the way is just as important. This inspired him to write The Right Way to Support.
I think the book is a good guide for parents as well as coaches. The book explores how they can understand the emotional world of a chess player, and how to tell the difference between support and too much involvement. They will learn tips on how to handle losses, frustrations and performance pressure. Gaurav has used common examples to explain these topics. After every chapter, there is a reflection exercise so parents can think about their own approach towards the topic.
The book has 80 pages and six chapters. It is available on Gourav's Topmate page for Rs. 559.
Get the book
Readers who wish to get in touch with Gaurav can reach him through his website: gauravzagade.com.
