Here is a page dedicated to the reasons why you should have chess in school.
1st – Because it’s obviously super cool!
2nd – Many consider it as a sport (see this link to the London Chess Conference)
3rd – Many associate chess with improving skills like math, but it is much more (see this link to Scholastic Chess in Canada or Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence’s). Download this white paper (Coming soon).
4th – Coordinated research is emerging to support the efficacy of chess in K-12 development and more. (Link to Journal of Chess Research)
5th – It has the power to transform people and lives for the better. Examples –
- Kids in the inner-city becoming winners:
- Brooklyn Castles – Story of Middle School Students emerging as National Champions
- Knights of the South Bronx – A teacher making a different via chess
- Girl in extreme poverty becoming a chess champion:
- The Queen of Kawte – Story of a Ugandian girl, Phiona Mutesi, who become a Chess Champion
- Kids overcoming self-doubt:
- Searching for Bobby Fischer – Story of Josh Watizkin
- A father’s bold experiment with his young daughters {the Polgar experience}:
- Susan Polgar (4x World Champion) and International Grand Master
- A man turning his life around in service to kids via chess:
- Life of King staring Cuba Gooding, Jr. story about a humbled man now making a genuine difference in kids lives via chess (Big Chair Chess Club)
Not sure the reasons get much better than these! Gary Kasparov’s 10 Rules for Success.
Help us make a difference in someone’s life through chess!