Benefits of Chess

In the European Union, chess is often given a similar importance to sports in most schools, and is frequently considered a requirement. In fact, in 30 countries around the world, chess is part of the required school curriculum, and with good reason. Susan Polgar, World Champion in chess, claims studies suggest that students who participated in chess improved their test scores by 17.3% compared to a 4.6% increase in students who engaged in other outside activities. These numbers are by no means exaggerated; in another study in China, people who engaged in chess had a 15% increase in math and science scores, while studies in the former Zaire, Belgium, Venezuela, Canada, and the United States all showed that children participating in chess had better math, spacial, and verbal skills, as well as general standardized testing, and can actually raise the IQ of participants, no matter the final skill level attained.

All of these studies suggest that chess has a great amount to offer in terms of helping students form planning skills and discipline, as well as mathematical proficiency, but this is just the beginning. Besides the gained recall, abstract reasoning, and judgement skills, other studies prove that students who engaged in chess had greatly improved self confidence than before starting the program. This particular aspect has been used to fuel programs in California and New York that work to engage at risk students in chess in order to rescue them from gangs and drugs, as well as other negative behavior. In fact, countless anecdotes from educators, parents, and researchers alike marvel at the levels of focus that chess provides for students from all walks of life, some of whom had previously exhibited severe concentration skills.

In addition to all of the intellectual benefits of chess, National Geographic in 1956 detailed a case in which chess skills could actually gain a man a wife. Legends state that in some areas of Italy in the Middle Ages, men would, rather than duel, play chess to win the hand of a woman. In 1956, a particular town in Italy, Marostica, decided to revive the legend, offering men the chance to play for a woman’s hand.

Overall, chess has been shown to provide nothing but benefits for people from every age who play with any sort of regularity. Chess forces one to develop logical thinking and problem solving skills, independence, and mathematical and abstract reasoning qualities. In addition, students who engaged in chess had markedly improved social skills and discourse ability, partly from the teamwork utilized to study the game, and partly from the focus that being a clever chess player requires. All in all, it’s a great game, and a great tutor in life skills.

History of Chess

The game of chess is said to be one of the oldest games of skills known to man. Some historians date it as early as the 2nd century, and its country of origin to be China. In China, at that time people were playing a game very similar to chess called Xiangqi. Yet others think that chess (played very similar to what we know today) originated in India around 6th century where it was played as Chataranga (in Sanskrit).

Mention about the game was found at the same time in Persia where it was known by the name of Shatranj (very similar to the Indian name, Chataranga). Documented evidence of the game is found around the 7th century where there is clear mention about the description of the chess pieces – though not exactly as we know them today. First the game spread across Asia; in Japan it was called Shogi, in China Xiangqi, and in Persia Shatranj.

In the mid 9th century the chess game navigated to Europe, most like through invasions by Persian and other Moslem armies. There the name of the chess had been altered to Shah (King in Persian) alluding to the game rules, as we know them today. By 10th century the game of chess was well known all over Europe.

From Europe the chess went n to conquer new worlds, this time America – carried around by the sea-faring Vikings of Scandinavia around 1100 AD. The game was received exceptionally well wherever it went and very soon it covered the whole world. The modern chess pieces, as they are used today, are traced to the 18th century. They were designed and manufactured by Staunton who was himself a chess master.

The first documented chess tournament was held in the year 1851 at London and Adolf Anderssen, a German national, won it. This was however, an unofficial tournament and hence there was no title or any reward. Andersen was beaten by Paul Morphy (an American citizen) a little later. The first official tournament took place in London in 1856. This time Steinitz who was a Chechoslovanian national won it. Although third in the line, Steinitz entered the annals of the history as the first official champion of a chess tournament. He kept the title for four decades, till 1894 when Emanuel Lasker beat him.

In 1921 Jose Casablanca who is considered one of the best ever chess players in the world, took the title form Emanuel. Two other share the honor if being know as the best ever players, i.e. Bobby Fischer and Morphy. Fischer became a world champion at the tender age of only 14! He was the first American to claim the title.

Excellent players from Russia dominated the 19th century period. Anatoli Karpov and Gary Kasparov became world champions at the same time by a peculiar quirk of fate. The mantle was recently passed over to Vishv Anand, an Indian national. This is a very brief outline of the history of chess, just sufficient to follow the thread from the beginning to the present. However, the game and its evolution taken in depth can fill up volumes.