Benefits of Chess

In addition to being a fun game filled accessible to all, here are some incredible benefits:

  • Lessons Learned through correct chess instruction:
    Thinking ahead about consequences of actions, Focus, Time Management, Healthy Competition & Sportsmanship, Deciding on the best decision from a serious of possibilities, Learn from mistakes, Attend to Details, and many more!
  • Chess is required curricula in nearly 30 countries
  • In a Texas study, regular (non-honors) elementary students who participated in a school chess club showed twice the improvement of non-chessplayers in Reading and Mathematics between third and fifth grades on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills
  • As reported in Developing Critical and Creative Thinking Through Chess, Robert Ferguson (of Bradford, Pennsylvania), tested students from seventh to ninth grades, (1979-1983), as part of the ESEA Title IV-C Explore Program, and found the following:
    • Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (Average Annual Increase): Chess 17.3%; Non-Chess 4.6%
    • Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking -
      Fluency: Chess 19.9%; Non-Chess 6.0% -
      Flexibility: Chess 22.8%; Non-Chess 9.5% -
      Originality: Chess 70.0%; Non-Chess 34.8%
  • The mathematics curriculum in New Brunswick, Canada, is a text series called Challenging Mathematics, which uses chess to teach logic from grades 2 to 7. Using this curriculum, the average problem-solving score of pupils in the province increased from 62% to 81%.
  • A parent from one of our After School Programs said the following after her student had been enrolled in our program for 1 month: "At the beginning of the school year my fifth grader had a little trouble getting organized and just keeping up to his potential. We had heard that the game of chess was great for concentration and focus. When the chess club was offered at Sonrise, we thought it was a perfect opportunity. So, we registered our children to participate. About two weeks ago, I noticed that his grades were improving dramatically. On top of that, our little disagreements about homework and responsibility have almost ceased. I thought to myself, 'Could it be chess that was playing a part?' I wanted him to know that I noticed how well he was doing. I told him, 'I want you to know Dad and I have noticed you're doing great and keep up the good work.' At that point he said, 'Mom, I don't know what it is. I feel like chess is keeping my mind refreshed.'

Other Benefits of Chess

Over time, advanced chess students learn how to play speed chess. This enables them to think quickly. Also, timed chess teaches students time management from an early age. This benefits the student later in SAT testing, as one who has had to manage their time in chess for several years will not be intimidated in a standardized testing situation.

Advanced students will later learn how to play chess blindfolded. Imagine the memory and recall benefits to the student who develops the ability to play chess without looking at a chessboard! We are proud to say that we have had K-3 students in our program learn how to successfully play blindfold chess.