<p class="indent0">This ebook is based on the course held during the winter of 2014-15 at UTE Milan, Italy.
The twelve students were seniors aged from 60 to 75 with no previous knowledge of the game of chess.
Some of them knew how to play draughts, but this made the task more difficult as the technique for playing
draughts cannot be applied to that of chess. The target was to become acquainted with basic techniques, learn tactics and elementary strategy in order to play
a decent game.</p

<p class="indent3">Most serious teaching methods are aimed towards young and very young students, or to players
who wish to become Masters. The multitude of chess books published over the years have not taken senior citizens
into consideration. This method instead is adjusted to suit the capabilities of the elderly, taking into account
their tendency to be more easily distracted and less focused than a child, and also because of short term memory
problems.<br />
The method comprises 12 lessons of two hours each. This corresponds to one third of the 72 one hour lessons of
the official FSI (Italian Chess Federation) method required to take a young student to competition level.<br />
The latter was not the aim of the course, as to play two five hour games each day during a tournament requires
not only knowledge and skill, but also considerable physical resistance.</p>

<p class="indent3">The FSI considers competition chess to be a sport of the mind.
Even if chess is only played as an amateur it can improve memory, and along with physical activity and good
nutrition can reduce the possible onset of Alzheimer's disease. (Research supports this evidence).
Also attending and playing in a local chess club (every major city has at least one) can be very beneficial
for socializing. This course is especially suited to adult and senior beginners and follows the guidelines by
De La Maza and by the FSI.</p>
<p class="indent3">As visualization capabilities are nil, a chessboard is needed to follow the moves and become accustomed to moving
the chessmen.<br />
If a chessboard is not available (a draughts one is adequate), using a computer, download both an
empty and a full board, cut out the chessmen and begin for the exercises:<br />
<A href="http://scacchi.vecchilibri.eu/ute/scacchiera_vuota.jpg">empty board</a> and
<A href="http://scacchi.vecchilibri.eu/ute/scacchiera_piena.jpg">full board</a></p>

<p class="indent3">As this is not a reading book, one must follow the lessons and complete the exercises.
Just one lesson per day to assure progress is recommended.<br />
A coach would be very useful, as the printed words cannot encompass all the necessary information.
In case of any doubts, please feel free to contact the address provided.</p>

<p class="indent3">This book is also useful for coaches. With one exception all the seniors attended all the
classes. At the end of the course two students were able to play a decent game without being overwhelmed in just
a few moves. One student renounced, and the remaining members will not be at a level to attend serious
tournaments, but they are enjoying the game. For me this is a success. Later four students in the 40 to 50 age
range finished the same course taking 6 one and a half hour lessons, and at the fourth lesson were already able
to play at the level of the senior students.</p>

<p class="indent3"><b>Rodolfo Pardi</b>, librarian, instructor...