Playing Chess Makes Kids Smart

"Where's the dice?" That was my son's first question when I introduced him to chess. Far from being a master of the game myself, I thought it a worthwhile activity for a rainy day. In short time we covered that the "horses" are called "knights" and while the king is the most important piece, the queen is the most powerful. "Oh, you are like the queen," he replied. So far, I was quite pleased with his progress.

However, chess can be more than to entertain on a rainy day. Chess can, quite literally, teach children to think outside the square.

Not only provides chess a playground to develop strategic and logical thinking, it can also enhance reading and mathematical abilities. A study by Dr Peter Dauvergne at the University of Sydney, has found that regardless of gender or socio-economic background, chess can lead to overall improvement in children's educational attainment.

That is quite a bold statement, isn't it?

"Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward. They may be beaten, but they may start a winning game." Goethe.

In life, as in chess, forethought wins. Interacting with the moves of the opponent the successful player must work up a winning strategy. The ability to concentrate is crucial, for a lack to do so results in almost immediate failure. Kids develop an understanding and awareness of the consequences of one's actions. Each move helps children learn to plan ahead, weigh choices, and use logic to make sound decisions.

These thinking skills are more than ever desirable for elementary and high school students. They are confronted everyday with challenges, new ideas and truckloads of information. Ideally, kids learn to make decision based on their own reflections and needs, not on formulated and memorised answers. In the real world, just as in chess, there is not always only one best move. Players learn to decide, they have to move even when the solution is difficult.

"Boring" or "only for geeks" or "lame" - such were the answers, when I asked friends and parents about their opinion about chess. But chess can be fast and exciting and most of all, fun! The days were players spent hours over one game are gone. The most popular form of chess is Blitz Chess. Also called Lightning or Rapid Chess. Notice something?

In a battle against the clock, each player has a limited time to make all the moves. The players are limited to a duration between 1 to 30 minutes for one game. Quick thinking and decision making is vital. This is fun and challenging to play. It leaves you amazed at the speed with which the pieces are chased over the board. The ability to make fast and accurate decisions under time pressure can be helpful when students are under similar pressures at school exams.

"You shouldn't have castled," beamed Jack, a chess smart fourteen-year old, after I lost against him at our local chess club. Nothing beats the confidence and self-esteem of a teenager after a glorious win - especially against someone older but evidently not wiser. Nevertheless, even the biggest chess ego will suffer drawbacks, as some losses are unavoidable - plenty of opportunity to learn to lose gracefully.

Chess is a curriculum subject in more than 30 countries around the world. Chess is, by its very nature, competitive. Not unlike learning to play an instrument, chess needs to be studied regularly. The benefits of chess will not turn up overnight or after a few weeks of chess training. Systematic play between one or two hours each week is necessary to reap the rewards.

Not all experts agree on the optimal age for children to start learning to play chess. While it is certainly never too late, most chess teachers consider eight-years a good time to start. But even four-year-olds will soak up basic chess moves.

Places to learn and play chess are numerous. The local chess club, school or with a chess software on your computer. Fancy a game with someone from Brazil, China or England? It is possible to play via Internet with people all over the world.

However, there is absolutely no need to buy computer or software to get kids involved. Simply coach them yourself! While you might or might not know how to play chess should not matter. The basic rules are quickly picked up. There are plenty of "How-to" books in your library. Why not learn and play together? It is a great experience for kids to learn a new skill together with their mum or dad.

"If you think it's just a game, than you're not playing it right!"

Many studies have concluded that chess study develops analytical, logic and problem solving skills as well as teach students the importance of concentration, patience and perseverance. However, that is not the reason I enjoy playing chess with my son. It is one of my favourite "us" times - and not only on a rainy day.

Sources:
United States Chess Federation Homepage.
Chess in Education Research Dr. Robert Ferguson