Presentation on Chess

So, I am going to be presenting to my old primary school (7-11 year olds) on the benefits of chess in terms of increased academic ability, not just in mathematics but across the entire subject board. My hope is that chess will be integrated as part of the standard lesson programs during school hours (i.e. not extra-curricular) and not only will the children surely benefit, the school will too! Or at least, that is the plan.

I know that studies have been done which show links between chess and academic performance. The problem is, I am unable to find the studies directly, only news articles discussing the results of the studies.

I would be incredibly grateful for any links or resources which include a direct study paper (e.g. published in a journal) and so may support my presentation. Remember, it's the kid's future at stake! If all is successful, I will focus my sights on my old secondary school, which the primary school feeds into.

If anyone knows of any schools within the U.K. which already implement chess as a compulsory part of education (even as part of maths lessons or similar) I would love to hear about it and this could only further assist my cause.

Thanks for any help!

Quite of the few of the web articles contain references to published academic research e.g.

Wow artfizz, I hit the jackpot when you read the post. I guess I got lucky! We can always count on you for some knowings! 

Having played chess for over 40 years, I've generally been a little skeptical about benefits from chess, knowing that I was quite bright by the time I learnt chess (around 8). Chess is a rather specialised way of applying certain types of intelligence (logical thinking, spatial visualisation, arithmetic skills, etc.), but it can be argued that time spent on chess could be used for other applications of those skills. Top mathematicians and scientists don't generally invest much (or any) effort into chess. Those who end up being chess professionals often exclude the possibility of other careers (eg John Nunn, but then there are counterexamples such as Botvinnik).

But on reflection, it is obvious that the mental exercise associated with the types of intelligence I mentioned above must improve those abilities beyond chess itself, as long as chess does not get in the way of applying one's intelligence in other ways. So perhaps it hasn't all been an entire waste of time.

Good luck Nytik.

Keep us inform of how it turns out.

I went from a troublesome kid (possibly AHDH), to one of the teachers favorite students. This happened at the same time as i began to play chess. It might be a coincident but i belive not. 

It´s not like i was stupid and then got smart. The only difference was the ability to concentrate. As I got better in chess i knew i had to think longer. Because if i make a hasty move i could lose and of course i dont want to lose, so it forces me to concentrate. And when my concentration got better, so did my test results.

If i could i would make chess mandatory in every school. I think it could help many people with their concentration, which is a crucial ability for todays society.

You might be interested in this article . I infer from it that all we have to do to get chess on the curriculum in this country is to produce a world champion and wait for a few decades.

Our head of state is already on the chess board.

I would make the set piece of your presentation the fact that Chess undoubtedly improves focus and patience. I'm not convinced at all that Chess is going to improve other aspects of your life, but obviously focus and patience are important academic qualities.

So - whatever you do - DON'T bring up any of the discussions on here about WON'T-RESIGNers, VACATION ABUSErs, DISCONNECTors or TIME-OUTers.

Actually I think there are all sorts of parallels between Chess and real life thinking/problem solving. I just wouldn't make talk about I.Q or other such Rubbish. (I know you that's not what you meant Nytik, don't worry.)

I think Lasker said something about lies/hypocrisy not being able to exist on the Chess board. I like this because I believe it's really true. Chess fosters an environment where you have to, not only have ideas, but have the right ones; you can't get by on double think and what not. And like athletics I'm sure that Chess, and most competitive endeavours are good confidence builders. 

It's more like real life than we give it credit for: you can make a risky move and gamble that your opponent won't notice it (perhaps by distracting/decoying him).

This is only true to the extent that your opponent notices and punishes your blunders. You can get away with a howler - that won't be picked up until subsequent analysis.

I think they call it also 'logical' thinking...is it not in Programming that you get the 'if' -command... e.g. if you click on the 'submit' button, then the red light flashes 10 times - simple example. [also logical operator - ] or in everyday speaking terms, 'if' is a logical connective. [now talking grammar-wise] - so all in all, the logical part of the brain develops.

I understood it that way and agree with you, once again. :) logic plays a huge role in chess as you need your logical thinking skills [reasoning] to work out the sequence in anything.

I am at 5th year of Art Academy Osijek/Croatia, and working on my thesis, subject is "Art and chess classes in elementary schools".

Links and discussion provided here will help me a lot, keep them up.

Thank you. 

I teach chess in the school system here in San Francisco. We promote patience and the development of basic logic as part of our program. You have to keep it simple. There are a number of studies regarding chess and education. However, you have to be careful when  presenting your case. It definitely helps with everything from problem solving to esteem. However, many parents want to depend on chess to make their children smarter. This is where you have to explain that chess introduces specific skill but will not make a child into the next wunderkind!

I had parents that 'heard' that chess is GOOD for concentration - which is true obviously - but then their children have really big problems with concentration [hyper etc.] and then expect to see the results within a few months... I had to explain to them if that is the only reason why they want to play chess, they need to forget about it. I don't see chess as a 'tool' JUST  to solve those kind of problems and once 'solved' they are not interested anymore. A child needs to be really interested in the game if he wants to play chess, no point 'forcing' them in some way - just to see 'results' or to solve 'issues' 

another reason that chess should be thaught to children is that chess will learn them a lot about taking decisions and his consequences.

I am working in the social sector and it hurts me to se how spoiled the western youth is.Especially the teenagers who have no sense of responsability.

I believe that chess indirect teaches us how to reflect when taking decisions and how to think about the consequences when taking decisions and about the responsability that we will undergo while taking a decision

Annabelle brings up a great point. The child has to have some interest in the game. Also, many parents feel that having their child learn chess is a solution to concentration issues. While chess will help develop concentration skills and teach them about decision making and consequences of their actions, it is not an instant fix for certain issues (attention based issues). On the other side of the argument, I've had students who didn't want to learn the game but did and then fell in love with it.

hi Hugh, What you say is also true, but I had about 3 parents in the past that thought that Chess was going to be that quick solution. Some didn't say anything at all and then, after a few months, queried about their child and said there is 'no' progress in school-concentration etc. <<sigh>> Some parents....hard work! :)