Let the Battle Begin....

Our 5-year-old has taken to battling on the chess board with his father. And he's getting quite good.

It began when Emily started her dance class this fall, and he discovered a set on the table in the cafe where we sit, waiting during the class. He asked Stuart to teach him...and the rest is, as they say, history.

When they first played together, Stuart would show Edward the moves and explain each one that he made or didn't make, depending on what the outcome would be. Edward listened attentively and started pointing out moves to his dad as they played, copying him. Sometimes Stuart would let him win...sometimes he would let him lose. Valuable lessons, right?

And Edward was definitely "getting it."

Now, Stuart says Edward is beginning to see his own moves -- sometimes even before Stuart spots them.

It may be a little while yet before Edward wins outright on his own, but until then -- with the "championship title" at stake -- let the "battle" begin...at 5 p.m. on Monday nights.