Learn to Play Chess with Fritz & Chesster (2009). Play online

Summary

The DS version of Learn to Play Chess with Fritz & Chesster turns a classic educational chess tool into a handheld experience. Kids (or anyone new to the board) progress through three increasingly challenging sections—lightweight, middleweight, heavyweight—where they master piece movements, opening setups, castling, stalemate, and basic checkmate patterns. The game uses quirky minigames, like a Ms. Pac‑Man‑style maze to illustrate a rook’s horizontal and vertical runs and a sumo‑themed duel that teaches king opposition. After the tutorial, you can jump into full‑game matches against the ever‑impatient King Black or other AI opponents, with adjustable difficulty and optional hints. Originally a 2003 Windows CD‑ROM, the title has been localized into 17 languages and now lives on the DS, keeping its child‑friendly charm for learners aged eight and up.

Storyline

In Learn to Play Chess with Fritz & Chesster, Fritz White is left in charge of the castle while his king and queen parents are on vacation. Suddenly King Black issues a challenge, turning the kingdom into a giant chessboard.

Guided by his cousin Bianca and the friendly King Kaleidoscope, Fritz travels across the countryside, playing seven arcade‑style minigames that teach each piece’s moves – a Pac‑Man‑like chase for the rook, a sumo‑wrestling bout illustrating king opposition, and others.

The journey ends at the IntelliGym, where a talking rat named Chesster runs three training stages that reinforce tactics and strategy. After each exercise Fritz faces King Black in a real chess duel, and a TV segment plays to show whether he won or lost.