Chess Benefits for Kids

Both casual & competitive Chess is on the rise! It's mainstreaming in recent years has been in part to the many studies showing the benefits to kids.  Local youth has been more successful than ever in district tournaments, state rankings, national events, and USCF ratings.

 

We are even seeing more Chess on TV, film, print, and movies... And now that Chess is back with an Olympic bid we are seeing this 2000+year-old game just about everywhere.  More Americans are playing Chess than ever before in our Nation's history.

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Children from all backgrounds can succeed at Chess.  Even children who are not performing well in school are inspired by Chess and show a better attitude toward learning.

 

According to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, “Executive function and self-regulation skills are the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully... The brain needs this skill set to filter distractions, prioritize tasks, set and achieve goals, and control impulses.” 

 

We believe teaching Chess provides both conceptual instruction and practical application, allowing students to develop the necessary skills for success in life. One of the oldest and most intriguing games, chess is a pedagogical tool for students of all ages and abilities. Through Chess, students learn thinking skills that apply to other disciplines.​​​​​

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• ​Chess improves concentration and self-discipline;

• Chess involves all levels of critical thinking (knowledge, comprehension, analysis, evaluation)

• Chess requires forethought and circumspection;

• Chess cultivates visualization;

• Chess develops problem-solving skills;

• Chess encourages children to overcome the fear of risk-taking;

• Chess teaches children to assume responsibility for their decisions;

• Chess encourages socialization skills that extend across cultures and generations;

• Chess raises self-esteem and promotes good sportsmanship;

• Chess rewards determination and perseverance;

• Chess is fun!