How Playing Chess Benefits Children

Chess is one of the world's oldest strategy games played between two opponents. A game of skill, not one of chance, with the goal of defeating the opponent, which is called checkmating! It is a game that has been played for thousands of years and is always associated with intelligence. There is good reason for this: chess is a game of pure strategy and tactics and some would say a little luck but I would dispute them on the that!

The attributes needed to play chess are quite similar to the scientific method. 1. Define the problem. In chess one has to look at the particular situation on the board and take into account their position and strategy as well as their opponents. 2. Observe. To define the problem the chess player must learn to observe from an objective point of view the given situation and sort out relevant and irrelevant information (logical analysis). 3.Form hypothesis. After observing these factors the chess player must then come up with an explanation of what is happening on the chessboard and why (Critical Thinking). 4.Perform Experiment. Now it is time for the chess player to do what the game is all about, make his or her move! (Decision-making ability). 5. Draw Conclusion. After the move is made the position changes and the whole process starts all over again until someone wins the game! What is needed above all is the ability to stay focused on the task at hand (Concentration).

Now how is all of this relevant to benefiting children? I think we all agree that these are attributes that would help a child perform better academically and for that matter help many adults to better cope with life from a more rational point of view. Chess is also the perfect outlet for children who would otherwise waste their time in pursuits that do little to enhance either their intellect or their state of being. Because it helps with analyzing and observation skills they are more likely to be a better judge of character and not make as many mistakes or succumb to the pressure of their peers.

In studies conducted throughout the school system chess has been shown to raise IQ in both boys and girls. Children who learn and play chess have more confidence in themselves because they learn that through their own hard work and discipline they can accomplish something, which is very positive. I think this stays with them for the rest of their lives and it certainly gives them a good base form which to start their lives and can possibly give them hope for greater academic achievement.