Does Chess Make Kids Smarter?
Chess is often referred to as
“The Game of Kings.”
Historians say that royal families had their children learn chess in order to make them better thinkers.
Happily, since its invention in India more than 1400 years ago, this ancient board game is no longer limited to royalty.
“Chess-playing kids do better at school and therefore have a better chance to succeed in life,” says Dr. Robert C. Ferguson, author of a teacher’s guide called “Research and Benefits of Chess.”
According to Dr. Ferguson, playing chess develops memory, improves concentration, develops logical thinking, and promotes imagination and creativity. Chess also teaches independence, develops the capability to predict and foresee the consequences of actions, inspires self-motivation and shows that hard work can lead to success.
As stated by chess master Jerry Meyers, chess has been endorsed by many educators including Benjamin Franklin and former U.S. Secretary of Education, Terrell Bell.
As the benefits of chess become increasingly recognized, more and more schools across the United States are including it in their programs.
James Fite, Assistant in Plant Facilities for Safety for Cecil County Public Schools, started an after school chess club about eight years ago. Now, there are over 11 after school chess clubs in Cecil County Public Schools.
I recently talked with Mr. Fite about his interest in chess and how he is incorporating the game into the Cecil County school system. Here are highlights from our conversation:
Mr. Fite > I always wanted to have someone to teach me chess. When I was a kid, I taught myself and got creamed at my first tournament...I didn’t pick it up again for several years.
Mr. Fite > Chess is a great equalizer. It is an activity that everyone can take part in. It helps in many ways. Recent studies published in Russia and the U.S. show that kids in chess programs do better in all subjects, particularly math. Chess is an internationally recognized and respected game. A chess player can go anywhere in the world and make friends through the game. Students learn to plan ahead; they learn about the advantage of bold moves and of traps. They learn to have broad vision (board vision) which helps in reading. They learn self control and politeness as the rules of tournament start and end with hand shakes.
"They learn self control and politeness as the rules of tournament start and end with hand shakes."
Chess players throughout the world follow the same rules and can work with each other through the International Chess Federation.
- When did you start offering chess at Cecil County Public Schools? And were there any schools offering chess before you came along?
Mr. Fite > Victor Voshell, an electrical instructor at our Science and Technology School, and I began the first club at Thompson Estates Elementary School in 2000. We then recruited coaches and built the Learning Chess Center to 11 clubs. There were small clubs in some high schools and one large effort at North East Middle School, but these were not coordinated with the other schools.
Mr. Fite > We let the coach decide; some take 3-5th graders, I accept those below 3rd on some occasions. The perfect time to start teaching a child chess is before they are two.
Mr. Fite > All states have some form of program, which is generally limited to a teacher who will instruct the students. In Maryland, a great benefit is two, four-year full scholarships given to Maryland secondary chess players each year. A scholastic tournament is organized by the Maryland Chess Association which provides tournaments for Maryland primary and secondary students. These tournaments produce two students each year who receive full scholarships to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, which is one of the top two or three universities in the U.S. in chess competition.
Mr. Fite > Yes, we have recruited a plumber, an electrician, a financial advisor, teachers and relatives of teachers. We hope to have organized chess clubs at all Cecil County Public Schools within the next five years. Next year we will open the Learning Chess Center to clubs from private schools. Several parents have called me from other counties asking if we can replicate the experience in their district, but currently we have neither the time nor money to complete this task. However, there is a commercial group who has a standard curriculum for second grade that they sell to districts. The cost is prohibitive for us, but the program is another alternative.
Mr. Fite > Our annual tournament is quite exciting. Nearly 100 students from the 11 Learning Chess Center clubs competed in this year’s tournament which was held in March.
- Can you expand upon what you see as the benefits of your efforts to introduce chess into the school system?
Mr. Fite > We have received a lot of positive feedback from parents and the community. After a tournament, people stop me in the street to express their satisfaction with the program. The Cecil County Department of Parks and Recreation has considered letting us develop a summer program, but that will probably take a year or so to implement. In addition, I think it is good for the community to see the extra time and effort the school staff contributes without getting paid. Each elementary school has a display case for their trophies and there is a traveling "bragging rights" trophy that ends up in the school who wins the tournament and it stays there until they lose. We have offered each of the newspapers the opportunity to publish a chess puzzle each month, which we would provide. We hope the puzzle draws students to the papers.
Mr. Fite > The primary way is to join the U.S. Chess Federation. Youth Membership is only $17 and they get a nice magazine every two months called “Chess for Kids”. Adult members receive a monthly magazine. These list the various tournaments around the country and give students instructions. Students can also buy video games like Chessmaster 9000 or a chess game for Play Station 2 that gives them learning tutorials and plenty of opponents at various levels.
Mr. Fite > The biggest is www.vegaschessfestival.com/ but best place to look is which provides a complete listing. You can contact the U.S. Chess Federation or their specific staff members such as Darrell Wyatt, Tournament Director Certification, or Scholastic Director and FIDE, Jerry Nash through www.uschess.org/. Anyone who joins the USCF receives “Chess Life,” a monthly magazine that lists the tournaments in their areas.
- You mentioned the UMBC scholarship program. Can you tell me more about this program?
Mr. Fite > The University of Maryland, Baltimore County, is one of the strongest universities in the U.S. in chess. They recently dominated the 'final four' of chess competition. They provide two full scholarships to Maryland chess students each year. The students compete in the scholastic meets to gain points. Jerry Nash is the national contact.
- Are schools seeing any direct benefit from students who play in chess clubs at schools?
Mr. Fite > This has been studied thoroughly. Although I have not had a complete review of our specific experience, the bottom line is that chess helps in all learning activities. Principals are approaching me asking for clubs and the excitement is really growing for chess in Cecil County.
Sources:
http://main.uschess.org - The United States Chess Federation, the official chess body of the USA runs regular tournaments and ranks US players. http://www.quadcitychess.com/benefits_of_chess.html
http://www.gardinerchess.com/publicationsbenefits/educational_benefits.htm
http://www.academicchess.org/about/forkids.shtml