Group Chess Class Information
Taught by National Master Bruce Kovalsky
Chess Resources
Online Chess playing sites: A great way to still play if you don't have opponents at home.
Free (ad-supported): Pogo, Yahoo
Paid: InstantChess, ICC (Chessclub.com)
What is Chess?
At its simple level, chess is a game: it's fun and entertaining. For this reason alone, it has obvious appeal for children and young adults. However, chess has real advantages over other forms of entertainment. It is inexpensive and available everywhere.
Despite its intellectual nature, chess in extremely social game; it is built upon human interaction and demands honesty and mutual respect.
Like a sport, chess appeals to our competitive instincts. Unlike other scholastic sports, however, chess demands no physical prowess beyond mental stamina, and is therefore equally accessible to all types of children. It is also one of the few "sports" in which young girls are perceived as being equal to young boys. The highly competitive aspects of chess draw many outstanding athletes to the game.
The art of chess is clear to anyone who plays or even observes it casually. Chess players have techniques and "game personalities" unique to them.
Finally, chess is a science in that it demands of its participant rigor and logical thinking.
Findings about Chess
Free (ad-supported): Pogo, Yahoo
Paid: InstantChess, ICC (Chessclub.com)
What is Chess?
At its simple level, chess is a game: it's fun and entertaining. For this reason alone, it has obvious appeal for children and young adults. However, chess has real advantages over other forms of entertainment. It is inexpensive and available everywhere.
Despite its intellectual nature, chess in extremely social game; it is built upon human interaction and demands honesty and mutual respect.
Like a sport, chess appeals to our competitive instincts. Unlike other scholastic sports, however, chess demands no physical prowess beyond mental stamina, and is therefore equally accessible to all types of children. It is also one of the few "sports" in which young girls are perceived as being equal to young boys. The highly competitive aspects of chess draw many outstanding athletes to the game.
The art of chess is clear to anyone who plays or even observes it casually. Chess players have techniques and "game personalities" unique to them.
Finally, chess is a science in that it demands of its participant rigor and logical thinking.
Findings about Chess
| · Chess instills in young players a sense of self-confidence and self-worth |
| · Chess dramatically improves a child's ability to think rationally |
| · Chess increases cognitive skills |
| · Chess improves children's communication skills and aptitude in recognizing patterns |
| · Chess results in higher grades, especially in English and Math studies |
| · Chess teaches the value of hard work, concentration and commitment |
| · Chess provides many bright youngsters with their first opportunity to use their intelligence in an exciting, rewarding and continuing way |
| · Chess can become a child's most eagerly awaited school activity, dramatically improving attendance |
| · Chess allows girls to compete with boys on a non-threatening, socially acceptable plane |
| · Chess allows students and teachers to view each other in a more sympathetic way |
| · Chess, through competition, gives kids a palpable sign of their accomplishments |
| · Chess provides children with a concrete, inexpensive and compelling way to rise above the deprivation and self-doubt which are so much a part of their life |