Chess Teacher and Trainer Resource Page
Page to assist School Chess teachers, Coaches and Club leaders with resources
Benefits of Chess
1. Problem SolvingIn its most simplistic form, chess is quite similar to a large puzzle. In order to "solve" a chess game, players must use problem-solving skills to decide which pieces they should move to yield the best results on the board. As players advance and start playing timed games, chess teaches students how to solve problems on-the-fly.
2. Abstract ReasoningThe ability to engage in abstract reasoning is undoubtedly beneficial to any school-aged student, both in academia and beyond. Chess helps students improve their abstract reasoning skills by helping them learn to recognize patterns on the gameboard and develop strategies based on those patterns.
Chess invites students to practice abstract reasoning through "if, then..." scenarios. For example, "If I move my rook here, then I can take out his bishop." Abstract reasoning skills go hand-in-hand with problem solving, making these two of the most beneficial skills gained from learning the game of chess as a child.
3. Calmness Under PressureWhen asked to think of situations where their children must stay calm under pressure, most parents tend to think of athletics. While sports may have more dramatic moments, a child might be asked to take a game-winning shot only once or twice a season (if ever). In reality, few athletic activities provide as many opportunities to remain calm under pressure as a typical game of chess.
4. PatienceThe average game of chess goes on for about 40 moves before one player emerges victorious over the other. Each of these moves must be carefully calculated, planned and executed. The slightest lapse in concentration could lose a pawn, or an overly aggressive move could lead to a checkmate for the opposing player.
5. SportsmanshipStudents learn chess by discovering which moves work and which ones don’t in certain scenarios. In a chess game, there's almost always a winner and students will quickly find that they're going to lose matches from time to time.
Games and activities where there's a clear-cut winner encourage students to become more sportsmanlike, when they win and when they lose. When children learn early to be good sports, it’s easier for them to overcome loss or failure later on in life.
6. Creative ThinkingTo defeat an opponent, a chess player must become a creative thinker. During each game, they need to imagine what will happen with each possible move on the board and then quickly come up with new strategies on the fly.
8. Strategic ThinkingAs students combine all the skills above as they learn to play chess, they develop their strategic thinking skills. They learn to combine problem solving, pattern recognition and creative thinking to make their moves. They discover how to be patient until just the right moment for a big move, and learn that each loss is just an opportunity to perform better the next time. Most importantly, students learn how to develop and execute a strategy.
1. Problem SolvingIn its most simplistic form, chess is quite similar to a large puzzle. In order to "solve" a chess game, players must use problem-solving skills to decide which pieces they should move to yield the best results on the board. As players advance and start playing timed games, chess teaches students how to solve problems on-the-fly.
2. Abstract ReasoningThe ability to engage in abstract reasoning is undoubtedly beneficial to any school-aged student, both in academia and beyond. Chess helps students improve their abstract reasoning skills by helping them learn to recognize patterns on the gameboard and develop strategies based on those patterns.
Chess invites students to practice abstract reasoning through "if, then..." scenarios. For example, "If I move my rook here, then I can take out his bishop." Abstract reasoning skills go hand-in-hand with problem solving, making these two of the most beneficial skills gained from learning the game of chess as a child.
3. Calmness Under PressureWhen asked to think of situations where their children must stay calm under pressure, most parents tend to think of athletics. While sports may have more dramatic moments, a child might be asked to take a game-winning shot only once or twice a season (if ever). In reality, few athletic activities provide as many opportunities to remain calm under pressure as a typical game of chess.
4. PatienceThe average game of chess goes on for about 40 moves before one player emerges victorious over the other. Each of these moves must be carefully calculated, planned and executed. The slightest lapse in concentration could lose a pawn, or an overly aggressive move could lead to a checkmate for the opposing player.
5. SportsmanshipStudents learn chess by discovering which moves work and which ones don’t in certain scenarios. In a chess game, there's almost always a winner and students will quickly find that they're going to lose matches from time to time.
Games and activities where there's a clear-cut winner encourage students to become more sportsmanlike, when they win and when they lose. When children learn early to be good sports, it’s easier for them to overcome loss or failure later on in life.
6. Creative ThinkingTo defeat an opponent, a chess player must become a creative thinker. During each game, they need to imagine what will happen with each possible move on the board and then quickly come up with new strategies on the fly.
8. Strategic ThinkingAs students combine all the skills above as they learn to play chess, they develop their strategic thinking skills. They learn to combine problem solving, pattern recognition and creative thinking to make their moves. They discover how to be patient until just the right moment for a big move, and learn that each loss is just an opportunity to perform better the next time. Most importantly, students learn how to develop and execute a strategy.
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