The benefits of chess

At first glance, chess is simply 32 pieces on 64 squares. In practice, it is mostly a brain at work. A child observes, remembers the rules, chooses a move and tries to predict what may happen next. Not bad for a game where everyone stays seated.

The knight forces players to see space differently, while the bishop quickly introduces them to diagonals. Before moving a piece, a player must consider several possibilities, compare them and make a choice. Geometry, calculation and problem-solving all come into play, but there is no worksheet to hand in at the end.

Chess also works with words. Explaining a move, listening to another person’s idea and defending a line of reasoning all require clear thought. Sometimes it also means admitting that you completely forgot your queen was under attack. It happens even to very serious players.

A game teaches children to wait their turn, stay focused and keep going after a mistake. Losing a piece does not mean everything is over. They can look for another solution, change their plan and do better in the next game. Little by little, patience and perseverance stop being abstract ideas and become things a child actually practises.

Then there is confidence. A child who hesitates in other activities may discover at the chessboard that they can observe, find an idea and make a decision on their own. Progress is concrete: a rule understood, a trap avoided, a game played to the end. These small successes matter.

Why play chess at school? Because it encourages thought, teaches perseverance and brings children together. Most importantly, all of that can happen while having fun. Otherwise, why bring out the chessboard?