ChessinEducation

The amount of research and its results is too extensive to include in this summary but to quote from a study that
seems appropriate……

The New York City Schools Chess Program (NYCHESS) Was founded in 1986 .
The NYCHESS program sends an experienced chess instructor to the schools to establish a chess tutoring
program.

More than 3,000 inner city children in more than 100 public (state) schools participated in the program between
1986-1990. The program continues to motivate young people in some of the poorest neighbourhoods in the city.

In its existence NYCHESS has proven that:

•        Chess instills in young players a sense of self confidence and self worth
•        Chess dramatically improves a child’s ability to think rationally
•        Chess increases cognitive skills
•        Chess improves children’s communication skills and aptitude in recognizing patterns,
•        Chess results in higher grades, especially in English and Maths studies;
•        Chess builds a sense of team spirit while emphasising the ability of the individual;
•        Chess teaches the value of hard work, concentration and commitment;
•        Chess makes a child realise that he or she is responsible for his or her actions and must accept their consequences
•        Chess teaches children to try their best to win, while accepting defeat with grace;
•        Chess provides an intellectual, competitive forum through which children can assert hostility i.e. "let off steam" in an acceptable way
•        Chess allows girls to compete with boys on a non-threatening, socially acceptable plane;
•        Chess helps children make friends more easily because it provides an easy, safe forum for gathering and discussion
•        Chess through competition, gives children a palpable sign of their accomplishments;
•        Chess provides children with a concrete , inexpensive and compelling way to rise above any self doubt which can be so much a part of their lives.

The full "Chess in Education Research Summary" for the BMCC is available from LPSCA as a PDF file.

For decades the benefits of chess as an educational tool and its positive outcomes for children has been
researched by educational experts, psychologists and scientists.

Many recent studies of chess playing school children compared to non chess playing school children have
noted improved results not only in Numeracy results as would be expected but also in Literacy results of the
chess playing children.

Advanced learning research into learning types and the relationship between left and right brain learners
suggests that chess is an educational tool that benefits and can be utilised equally by the logical analytical
child and the visual pattern making child.

My own experience of teaching chess to school children has led me to believe that these findings are sound
and that chess is a fun educational tool that appeals to all children.

Recently chess has taken a step closer to officially being declared a sport....This change in status is expected
to have a dramatic effect on the way chess is utilised in education over the forthcoming years.
Chess is now eligible for funding from various sources and we believe in time it will be given curriculum time
in schools.

30 countries already include chess as part of their educational curriculum !

Garry Kasparov

world champion from 1985 to 2000 and the highest-rated player in the history of the game, says that in just ONE YEAR
chess tuition will improve a student’s learning abilities.

The Russian GM has set up a foundation to promote schools chess.

His mission: " to take chess out of the ghetto where it has languished far too long , and where mere games of
chance belong."

Chess in education

CHESS IN SCHOOLS
LEICESTERSHIRE Primary Schools Chess association