The ‘Chess In Schools’ programme, which has been assiduously promoted by this column and vigorously supported by Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport and Neil Kumar, Director of Sport, is quickly becoming a reality.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has imported some 200 chess sets for distribution to schools. Last week five schools were given ten sets each. A representative teacher and two students from each school were given beginners’ instructions on how the game should be played at a workshop held by the ministry in association with the Interim Steering Committee for the Development of Chess in Guyana.
Similar workshops for the game to be taught in schools will be held in Linden, Berbice and Essequibo shortly. And selected schools will also be given chess sets. The process is ongoing, the Minister noted. More chess sets will be imported next year, and more schools will become a part of the ‘Chess In Schools’ programme. Dr Anthony is insistent the game must go to the outlying regions. He wants the game to be played from Mabaruma to Lethem. He wants the game to be played everywhere.
Dr Anthony has said he is dedicated to carrying chess to the schools because he believes it contributes to acade-mic excellence. It makes kids smarter and helps children to focus. Children are taught the benefits of observing carefully and concentrating. If they don’t watch what is happening, they cannot respond to it, no matter how smart they are.
Children are prompted to imagine a sequence of actions before they happen. Chess actually strengthens the ability to visualize by training players to shift pieces in their minds, first one, then several moves ahead. The game teaches kids to think first, then act. This is the ‘thinking ahead’ process. We as instructors teach them to ask themselves, “If I do this, what might happen, and how can I respond?” Over time, chess helps to develop patience and thoughtfulness.
By playing chess, children are also taught to weigh their options. They don’t have to do the first thing that comes to mind, and live to regret it later. They learn to identify alternatives and consider various actions carefully. Children learn to evaluate the results of specific actions and sequences. Does the sequence help me or hurt me? Decisions are better when guided by the logic chess teaches, rather than being made on impulse.
Chess teaches its devotees also how to think abstractly. Children can learn how to step back periodically from little details and consider the bigger picture.
They learn to take patterns used in one context and apply them to different, but related situations. They are taught how to develop long-range goals and how they can bring them to fruition. As the situation changes, they would know how to re-evaluate their plans and maintain a steady course.
None of these skills is specific only to chess, but they are all part of the game.
The beauty of chess as a teaching tool is that it stimulates children’s minds and helps them to build these skills while enjoying themselves. As a result, children become more critical thinkers, better problem solvers and more independent decision-makers.
On the social side, chess serves as a bridge, bringing together children of different ages, races and genders in an activity which all can enjoy. The game builds individual friendships, and a spirit of ‘oneness’ or togetherness when children compete in teams against other schools.
In the final chapter, kids learn sportsmanship ? how to win with humility and lose with grace. For a kid, chess actually guarantees increased motivation, improved behaviour, a better self-image, and even improved attendance at school.
Chess is a recreational activity that ensures discipline among young people. Guaranteed!
