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Connecting with kids/Guardianship

Kids on ChessKid can only add Adult accounts as friends once guardianship is set up. Learn how to set it up here.

Updated over 2 weeks ago

Kid accounts can friend each other directly. However, for a Kid account to befriend an Adult account (Coach, Parent, or Teacher), that Adult account must first be listed as a guardian on the Kid account.

Once both accounts share the same primary email, our system recognizes the guardianship link.

Check out this article on the main site to learn more about our safety features: How to: Understand ChessKid's Safety Features


How to add an adult guardian to a kid's account

If the kid does not already have a Guardian listed

  1. Have the kid log into their account and click the cog wheel icon ('Settings') next to their avatar.

    ChessKid Kid account home screen with an arrow pointing to the Settings icon

  2. In Account Settings, enter your email address in the 'Guardian's Email' field. This makes you the Primary Guardian of that Kid account, and the account will now appear in your 'My Kids' list.

    • To connect as friends, you may still need to send each other a friend request.

    ChessKid Kid account settings screen with an arrow pointing to the Guardians Email

If the kid already has a Primary guardian listed

The Primary Guardian can add additional guardians, such as a coach, teacher, or another family member. The adult you want to add must already have a ChessKid Adult account. You can sign up for a free account here.

The following steps must be completed by the current Primary Guardian:

  1. Log in to your account and click 'Manage' in the top menu, then select 'Kids.'

    ChessKid Adult account homescreen with an arrow pointing to the Kids option

  2. Click the menu icon (three lines) next to the Kid account and choose 'Edit Kid.'

    My Kids screen of an Adult account on ChessKid with an arrow pointing to the Edit Kid option

  3. On the next page, scroll down and click 'Edit Guardianship.'

    Edit Kid screen on ChessKid with an arrow pointing to the Edit Guardianship option

  4. In the appropriate field, enter the email address associated with the Adult account you want to add as a secondary guardian. From the 'Select Action' dropdown, choose 'Add Guardian,' then click 'Add.'

    • Once guardianship is set up, the adult and kid may still need to send each other friend requests to connect as friends.

    Edit Guardianship on ChessKid with arrows pointing to the Email text field and Select Action dropdown

Check out this article to learn more about guardianship: How to Manage Guardianship


How to play against a Kid account

Fast Chess

Before getting started, make sure the Kid is online, logged in, and on the Fast Chess screen. If not, they won’t appear in your list of available players.

  1. From your Adult account, click 'Play' in the top menu, then select 'Play vs Kid.'

    ChessKid Adult account homescreen with an arrow pointing to the Play vs Kid option

  2. Click the 'Friends' tab (silhouette icon). If the kid is online and in the Fast Chess area, their name will appear in the list. Click the pawn-hand icon to send them a challenge.

    • If you have a lot of kids online, you can also type their username in the search bar at the bottom and click the magnifying glass icon to locate them on the list.

    ChessKid Fast Chess screen with arrows pointing to the search bar and the send challenge icon

Slow Chess

  1. From your Adult account, click 'Play' in the top menu and select 'Slow Chess.'

    ChessKid Adult account homescreen with an arrow pointing to the Slow Chess option

  2. On the next page, use the dropdown under 'Play' to choose the game type or a specific opening you'd like to play.

    • If you prefer the game not to affect ratings, check the 'Unrated' box.

    ChessKid Slow Chess screen with an arrow pointing to the game type dropdown

  3. Click the 'Friends' tab to see a list of your friends, including your kids. Select the kid you’d like to play with and click 'Play' to send them a challenge.

    ChessKid Slow Chess screen with an arrow pointing to the Friends tab
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