International Chess Day / Pawn Wars Mini Game
Pawn Wars Mini Game
A quick starter game using only pawns: children race to get one pawn to the other side, learning how pawns move and capture.
How to run it
- Set up a chessboard with only the eight pawns on each side.
- Explain that pawns move forward one square (or two on the first move) and capture diagonally.
- Players take turns, aiming to get one pawn safely to the far row first.
- Once confident, add a king or knight to each side to make it trickier.
You will need
- chess sets or printed boards with counters
Make it easier or harderYounger children can play on half a board; older children can teach the game to a younger buddy.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 4Children learn rules, plan ahead and persist with problem-solving in a short, achievable game.
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