Hello I am looking for a sort of axiom set that I can explain to the kids I am teaching on what to do before you move.I am looking for things Like looking for checks and looking for hanging pieces etc. I dont want to be too specific but i would like them to understand what to look for during each move and know what to do.

Are any of my pieces en prix? If so, how do I defend them?
Does my opponent have any pieces en prix? If so, how do I attack them?
Do I have a plan in this position? If so, how can I achieve it? If not, try to develop one.
What is my opponent's plan? Can I prevent it?
Which is my worst piece? How can I improve it?
What is my opponent's worst piece? Can I ensure it remains bad?
Would exchanges favour me or my opponent?

Just a few...they aren't axioms so much as a mental checklist before each move...which actually I think is more important. General rules such as knights before bishops, grab the centre, etc are often too misleading and open to exception, but with a mental checklist I think you can never go wrong.

Maybe you can find something useful at the websites below, but might be too specific already. How strong are your kids?

http://beginchess.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/positional_evaluation_checklist.pdf

http://rockfordchess.org/instruction/index.htm

I remember that I've seen some simple checklist to print and put on the wall, but I can't find it again...

Very important question. In teach anything I think it's better to talk about skill level than age. Actually there are plenty of kids that almost any one of us here could learn from.

But if you're talking about very general axioms, I'd say the top ones are:

- Control the centre (either with pawns or pieces).
- Get your king to saftey.
- Develop your pieces to active squares, and don't move them more than once in the opening unless it's either known theory, your opponent does likewise (meaning tempi are even) or you can see clearly that it is a good move.
- Hanging piece drop off.
- Pawns can't move backwards... even the slightest change in pawn structure must be given great consideration to.
- Exchange when you have less space.
- Play on the side of the board that you have more space.

- What is your opponent threatening to do (one I might sometimes use better myself!)

Since I teach kids, some easy rules, NO BIG WORDS. keep it simple, & make it fun !

Flint you almost sound like Chester Nuhmentz. His tips are very similar to yours.

http://www.chessville.com/instruction/Professor_Chester_Nuhmentz/pdf_free/chess_tips.pdf

By the looks of it his are a little more comprehensive! Definitely the kind of thing I was going for, but perhaps a little bit too much for beginners?

Best advice there though, which I also forget myself - chess is a creative excercise!

http://exeterchessclub.org.uk/content/ten-rules-opening It's 10, but thought you may be interested.

That axiom that "you should always have a plan" always resonated with me.

There is always the old chessnut -

" Think - check, capture, threaten, expose, easy to remember I suppose ".
" Let's not forget the other pare, namely outpost and sensitive square ".

Hey OP! Any updates? tia