I dont think the game matters TBH, its not letting the kid win unless they actually win. Not wining gives you the want to get better, if you win at everything without trying because your opponets let you win you never learn anything. Give it 5 years and your niece will be wooping ur ass at chess if you dont go easy on her.
:D
I think thats cute ur wife played checkers with you even though she wasent into checkers. just shows she was into you.