CHECKERSISWAR!

Last week I taught Kaitlyn, my 6 year old niece how to play checkers. She really took to the game so I gave her more advanced instructions. I told her that just because a piece was attacking you, you didn't have to attack right away, that sometimes you have to sacrifice a piece to obtain field advantage, that you could use other pieces and the sides to block your piece from being taken and that you shouldn't open your back row too soon to prevent them from getting kinged. She picked up fast and almost beat me. I was really proud and impressed with her grasp of the game.
   So today, we went over to my Mom's where they have a chess board. She was excited to play me but there were older kids playing checkers already, 8 years old 3rd graders. When they were done with their game, they challenged us. I gave Kaitlyn a wink and told her to play them alone. After she patiently tolerated their weak opening moves, my niece started bringing up her forces, blocking their double jumps and giving up the occasional piece to lull them in closer. They were immediately amazed by her superior tactics. "What grade are you in again?" they kept repeating, "My sister didn't teach me that!" They were quickly overwhelmed and humiliated. This 1st grader kicked that 3rd graders ass!. Whoo Hoo! King me baby! I told her to shake their hands for a playing a good game. But next time, lunch money and candy will be on the table.