Why Play Chess?

"Chess is a game of imagination and strategy, one that provides rules, order and opportunities for intellectual growth. Chess teaches a skill that can be applied to other aspects of life. For example, it teaches one to plan carefully in advance, to visualize various situations before making a move, and the importance of patience. How many of us have acted without thinking and then wished we could take back our actions? Well, the game of chess will quickly teach a child to analyze before acting. There have even been studies which support the claim that chess improves a person's organizational and analytical skills."
- Gadfly (The advantages of learning the art of chess)

Children Improve Academically
Chess improves schoolwork and grades. Numerous studies have proven that kids obtain a higher reading level, math level and a greater learning ability overall as a result of playing chess. For all these reasons, chess playing kids do better at school and therefore have a better chance to succeed in life.

Memory
Chess is one of the few activities that can assist in memory improvement. A chess player always tries to remember patterns and positions. He makes his moves based on what he learns from his own games and also games of other players from various tournaments collected from tournament books and databases. Chess students perform well in math and spelling because both these fields demand memorization of themes and ideas.

Concentration
Chess makes your child concentrate at the board for hours. Chess player forgets about the world outside the tournament hall. Even in Under 7 nationals, children play 2 rounds of 4 hours each per day. Parents of chess playing kids often tell me how chess has developed a habit in their children to seat and concentrate at one place.

Chess Teaches Life Skills
Chess can teach children to make careful, disciplined decisions, understanding that the first option available is not always the best option.

Logic
The action-reaction mechanism is prevalent in chess, like other logical activities. This teaches your child to look objectively at a position. Beginners are often surprised at the complexity of play at the top levels in chess. However, a Grandmaster must still follow the same logical theories and themes as the most basic chess beginner. This is because chess is a logical game.

Awareness and Analysis
A chess player learns to be aware of the key aspects in a position, analyses them, and react. Chess students often claim they have a better feel for this awareness and analysis in school. In this way more time is spent studying what will be on the exam instead of what won't be.

Decision Making
During a game, a chess player has to take decisions based on different features of the position on the board and calculation of variations for both the sides. He has to choose the best move from complicated position and that also in limited time. This develops ability to take prompt decision.

Chess and Science
Chess develops the scientific way of thinking. While playing, you generate numerous variations in your mind, explore new ideas, try to predict their outcomes and interpret surprising revelations. You decide on a hypothesis, and then you make your move and test it.

Chess and Mathematics
Chess involves an infinite number of calculations, anything from counting the number of attackers and defenders in the event of a simple exchange to calculating lengthy continuations. And you use your head to calculate, not some little machine.

Chess and Art
If you thought you could never be an artist, chess proves you wrong. Chess enables the artist hiding within you to come out. Your imagination will run wild with endless possibilities on the 64 squares. You will paint pictures in your mind of ideal positions and perfect outposts for your soldiers. As a chess artist you will have an original style and personality.
Chess and Psychology
Chess is a test of patience, nerves, will power and concentration. It enhances your ability to interact with other people. It tests your sportsmanship in a competitive environment.

In a nutshell, we can say:
Chess is a not a game of chance, but rather one in which imagination, hard work, and deep thinking are rewarded.

Chess is challenging, since there is always more to learn and enjoy. In addition to the satisfaction of mastering the ancient game, players often make life-long friends.