Hero levelSound familiar?
That child who plays their first games on tiptoe. Every move has to be right, so they choose the smallest one they can find and keep their pieces close to home. A piece sent far forward feels like a piece that might be lost, and a mistake feels worse than losing.
That is the feeling behind Sonja's small moves. Beating her shows your child that pieces sent forward together guard each other, and that going all the way to checkmate is not a risk. It is the point of the game.
Sonja's signature moves
Three things to watch for in a game against Sonja.
In every example, Sonja plays the black pieces.
The tiptoe step
When a bold move is there, she often plays the smallest one instead.
Side strategy
Her favorite opening, with White or Black: the edge pawn goes two squares forward, and the rook follows it out along the side of the board. She likes her pieces close to the edges, far from the fight.
The open door
In most games, from the middle of the game on, she opens the door to a checkmate in one. That way you learn to see it. If you miss it, she shuts the door on her next move.
If you miss it
She sees the danger. Her bishop steps away, so her king can escape.