Chess is a game of strategy
and tactics.
by Fran Black
Raising children in the world today has become much
more complicated than it was even 20 years ago. Among
some of the influences that seek to effect the youth
of today are a "got to have it now attitude" and related
to that, a lack of foresight as to how choices will
have consequences later. There seems to be a deteriorating
of values and concern with basic moral character.
Responsibility, effect of choices and thinking before
acting are among these traits. With the world becoming
more complicated children need these skills to be
equipped to meet its expectations, challenges and
the many problems that will arise. A person does not
need to go to extremes to help their child, its as
simple as teaching the game of chess.
Benjamin Franklin said, “Chess teaches foresight,
by having to plan ahead; vigilance, by having to keep
watch over the whole chess board; caution, by having
to restrain ourselves from making hasty moves; and
finally, we learn from chess the greatest maxim in
life - that even when everything seems to be going
badly for us we should not lose heart, but always
hoping for a change for the better, steadfastly continue
searching for the solutions to our problems.” Some
say chess is just a game, after all, but what it teaches
seems to put its position higher.
The traits that chess develops not only effect the
game, but help develop the skills to be applied to
all of life. There is not just one skill required
to play chess, but several working together. With
a game lasting at times hours, chess teaches focus.
Many things want a person's attention and the ability
to focus on what is before you allows for the problem
to receive full attention and to be solved. One move
can lose the game and before a piece is moved a player
needs to think about the possible effects that move
will have, this teaches thinking ahead. Concentration
is required to play chess. Each choice needs to be
made consciously and deliberately, not just making
a move to make it, but deciding the best move. There
is no force of a choice or move to be made in a certain
amount of time and this teaches responsibility of
choice and consequences. Chess not only requires these
skills, but allows for them to be developed. With
the complexities involved in chess some may wonder
if it really is a game for children.
Learning chess is a natural progression, and as a
child grows and matures their skills will develop
and the complexity of the game will increase for them.
A child can start to learn the pieces, points and
direction of movement as young as 4 or 5. There are
many ways to help a child learn strategies, understand
the effects of their choices and be able to see things
from their opponent's view. One important tool for
an adult to use to teach chess is asking questions.
For example, as you are contemplating a move, ask
the child the value of that piece, explain why are
you doing something or ask what might happen if that
piece is moved. Another helpful thing to do is to
turn the board once, or more during a game. This not
only allows for a child to gain back the advantage
and help them be successful, but it also allows for
them to learn perspective and how a move or placement
of pieces looks to the other player. They need to
not only see the possible moves they can make on their
side, but their opponents as well. Another helpful
skill is to encourage them think forward to how a
move will effect the board, and how will the board
look after their move. Encourage them to make two
to three moves in their mind before moving a piece
instead of doing the first one that they see. This
will help them look forward to the consequence of
their choice and train their minds to think before
they act. Encourage them to gain ownership of their
game by asking questions about why they did something
and getting them to explain their thought process
out loud. This will allow them to feel responsible
for their own decisions. Never throw the game. Winning
needs to be earned to allow for feelings of accomplishment,
it does not help a child to be given the win. They
should also sometimes play against someone their level,
they will win sometimes, lose sometimes, but will
learn to be gracious in both instances.
Just a game? Perhaps, but the skills developed will
benefit a player beyond the scope of the game. Their
mind is sharper, their thinking more complex and their
ability to make choices and feel responsible for those
choices has increased. Who better to benefit from
learning these skills than a child?
About the Author
Francesca Black works in marketing at the Puzzle Place
http://www.puzzle-place.net
and Chess Strategies http://www.chess-strategies.net
leading puzzle and strategy portals.
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