NZAMT 11
Why use chess in the classroom?
Gary L Judkins
Handout One
Why use chess in the classroom?
Abstract for Session One workshop in room B5 on 29th September 2009
Gary Judkins
The beauty of chess is that it stimulates and engages students’ minds and helps
to build many valuable skills while they are having fun. As a result, they
become more creative thinkers, better problem solvers, and more independent
decision makers. Research has proven that chess activates and enhances critical
thinking, motivates academic achievement and empowers students to succeed. It is
used in schools throughout the world because it works for all students
regardless of their academic abilities.
How to use chess as a valuable learning tool in the classroom to augment
mathematical teaching is the theme of this workshop. Web sites, DVD’s, books and
chess badges from NZ Chess Federation will be featured.
Professional biography
Gary Judkins is HOD of mathematics at
Why use chess in the classroom to motivate students regardless of academic
ability?
There are many ways to motivate students but I believe the best way to motivate
top to bottom academic ability students is by using chess. I have successfully
used chess in various ways depending on the ability of the class.
For low ability students it was like
turning on switches in their heads. The learned helpless suddenly discover what
it is like to gain success, and with time, every member of the class won a game.
For successful active learning, teachers must understand their students’ desire
to participate in the learning process. Children – like everyone – are motivated
by values, needs and wants. Some students may be motivated by praise while
others love overcoming challenges and others appreciate peer respect. There are
two important types of motivation to consider:
intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation.
Intrinsically motivated students enjoy learning for learning’s sake. They
are curious, questioning and observant and have an internal sense of
accomplishment when they discover something new or complete a learning activity.
Students who are extrinsically motivated seek some type of reward for
their learning, perhaps praise or stickers, or perform to avoid punishment. Most
students are motivated by a combination of internal and external influences.
Research throughout the world has proved that chess helps to develop critical
thinking skills, builds self-esteem and discipline, motivates academic
achievement, and empowers children to succeed. An efficient educational tool at
all levels of academic achievement, chess teaches students to think logically
and take responsibility for their actions and the resulting consequences. Chess
is the perfect tool for positive reinforcement as it involves problem solving.
It requires a mental workout, thinking ahead, planning, being systematic, and
determining the outcomes of certain moves. Weakness in mathematics often stems
from an over emphasis on memory skills instead of thinking skills.
The American commercial software “Think Like a King” company has an article
called Chess Helps Every Student Succeed.
With the mandates of No Child Left Behind, educators and community providers are
especially interested in offering after-school enrichment activities that will
support academic achievement. A formidable challenge facing providers is to be
able to make available high quality activities that also engage kids. Such
programs can serve as powerful educational tools in the more relaxed
after-school setting, with the potential to achieve what one provider calls
“stealth teaching.” Fire a kid’s imagination with an activity that is fun while
also promoting learning and you’ll have scored a significant programming
victory.
One of the biggest after-school success stories – though at first blush an
unlikely candidate to get kids’ juices flowing – is chess. Stimulating critical
thinking and other valuable skills, while also proving highly engaging to
students, chess offers great potential as an educational reform vehicle.
Recent estimates put the scholastic chess-playing population in the
While much of the evidence for the benefits of chess has been largely anecdotal,
research points to real advantages for students in four key areas –
academic/cognitive, psychological/emotional, social and behavioural. From
improvements in overall critical thinking skills, memory, concentration, pattern
recognition and problem-solving, to gains in standardized reading and math tests
and enhanced discipline and social skills, chess can benefit all students.[1]
For at-risk kids, the results may be especially dramatic. Many feel smart for
the first time simply because they have learned to play chess.
Observed one teacher who taught hundreds of kids in
Spend even a few minutes watching kids play chess and you’ll observe them
concentrating so deeply on their next move that some of the benefits of the game
become immediately obvious. Kids quickly learn that there are frequently
negative consequences for not thinking carefully and planning ahead – a valuable
insight that will help them as decision-makers in their academic lives and
beyond. It is noteworthy that during tournaments you can hear the proverbial pin
drop in a room filled with hundreds of kids.
The most important skill needed in getting students involved is enthusiasm on
the part of the teacher. One does not have to be a chess master to teach this
game. Children love to play games
and in game playing the learning is often so subtle that we often do not see,
initially, what has transpired. I have used chess to motivate students and have
seen first hand the benefits, for example: increased attention span and memory
skills, the capacity to predict and anticipate consequences, and the ability to
use criteria to drive decision making and evaluating alternatives.
A teacher from my school, Elizabeth Pitu, wrote me the following after taking
her low ability Y9 class and teaching them chess.
“Working with a low stream Year 9
mathematics class is a challenge at the best of times.
Even within this class there is a wide range of mathematical ability.
Some students can barely add 2 plus 2 while others are relatively competent in
basic numeracy and have been able to work with integers as well as whole numbers
without difficulty.
To motivate these students to all work hard in class they have been offered an
opportunity to play chess occasionally when their effort and behaviour warrant a
reward. Basing this opportunity on individual behaviour and attitude has meant
that students are motivated to work consistently and do their best on class work
and homework. The impact on some of the biggest “problems” in class has been
huge, with them prepared to have a go in mathematics when previously they just
gave up. It is amazing how well it is working as I didn’t think low ability
students would enjoy playing chess.
In a class like this, if you can get their attention for three quarters of their
lessons, you gain as much more than if you don’t have their attention for most
lessons.”
Chess is just right for the students who are extrinsically motivated.
A learning environment organized around games has a positive effect on
students’ attitudes toward learning.
Instructional gaming is one of the most motivational tools in the good
teacher’s repertoire. Chess
motivates them to become willing problem solvers and spend hours quietly
immersed in logical thinking. These same young people often cannot still for
fifteen minutes in the traditional classroom. Exposing students to “mini-chess”
games, chess puzzles (i.e. diagrams where one move checkmates are to be found)
or “real” chess games seems to be very intimidating for teachers. Many have
little knowledge of the rules of chess much less how to play the game. This
workshop gives teachers hand-on-training, two instructional handouts, two NZCF
chess badge tests with marking schedules and hyperlinks to the world’s greatest
problem solving activity. Give chess a go in your classroom because it works and
it’s fun!
Why use chess in the classroom? – Useful web sites compiled by Gary Judkins
The NZCF official web site is
http://www.poisonpawn.co.nz/
providing information about chess in our country. Here you can find information
about the NZ Chess Federation, officials, title holders, and member clubs in the
NZCF menu option. Other menu options have FIDE and NZCF ratings, regular events
in NZ, information on the annual Grand Prix other NZ chess news, and
correspondence chess. NZ games can be downloaded
here. The
NZCF is an associate member of the NZ Olympic Committee. This confirms the
standing of chess as a sport, and not a hobby or recreation.
Bob Mitchell
is now the NZCF contact person for chess
badges for the indefinite future. Each badge with accompanying certificate
costs $5.00. A discount for more than 50 badges is 25c per badge. For more
than 100 badges the discount is 50c per badge. For Level One (Pawn badge),
Two (Bishop badge) and Three (Knight badge) a mark of 24/25 or better earns a
gold “Distinction” sticker on the certificate. For Level Four (Rook Badge) a
mark of 33/35 or better earns a gold “Distinction” sticker on the certificate.
Minimum pass mark for Levels One, Two and Three is 20/25.
Minimum pass mark for Level Four is 28/35. Anyone needing badges can
email Bob at
robertmi@ihug.co.nz
He will also provide an electronic version of the tests on request
together with the marking schedule.
The other excellent site is called New
Zealand Chess
http://www.newzealandchess.co.nz/
Among other links is a chess calendar giving detailed information on forthcoming
chess events in
The Class 1 Millennium Hotels NZ Chess Grand Prix Waikato Open took place in
NZCF chess clubs with web sites:
The place to order chess sets and boards, books, DVD’s, etc. is
NZ Chess Supplies
http://www.chess.co.nz/ and the address
is:
Martin Sims
has a chess site
http://www.sims.net.nz/chessintro.html
which has information about the 2009 NZ schools teams’ championship,
running a chess tournament and events in the Manawatu.
If you want to play chess on the internet, I have been a member of a very
friendly site called Instant Chess
http://www.instantchess.com/ since
2002 and enjoy playing 5 minute games. Each player decides what time settings
they want to play. I must warn you
that for some people it is addictive as I have played 22,0431 games as of
September 22! I play for fun and to
relax and am happy to say that my highest rating (1872) was this year. They have
free subscription for school’s chess clubs which would be worth checking out at
http://www.instantchess.com/?BKG=1&MID=1&SUBMID=2 and a one year premium
subscription costs approximately $70 NZD.
The internet chess club
http://www.chessclub.com/ is where many
play and to quote from their web site, is the longest running, most popular and
best place to play on the internet. It is not uncommon to have more than 3,000
chess players looking for a game where more than 100,000 games are played each
day. There is a free trial period on offer. A six month subscription costs US
$39.95 and a year’s subscription costs US $69.95.
Below are CD-Rom chess programmes that are very useful for coaching students
which can be purchased from NZ Chess Supplies.
Fritz 11 – The ultimate chess game
This program will help you along during the game, with numerous sophisticated
coaching functions, adjusting its playing strength to exactly match that of any
opponent. It graphically displays threats and plans, and provides full opening
statistics. For beginners Fritz will explains moves and positions, or warn you
of dangers and of errors you are committing. It has instructive training modules
and amusing handicap levels. For club and tournament players Fritz has long
become a trusted friend and indispensable advisor, helping them to study their
games and find new opening ideas for their next tournaments. A database with
more than a million games provides the basis for state-of-the-art analysis. Even
Garry Kasparov has used Fritz on a regular basis. How often have you attended
personal grandmaster lectures or training sessions? With its Chess Media System
Fritz brings the world’s greatest chess players into your living room, in full
high resolution video and sound and a synchronized graphic chessboard. Listen to
Garry Kasparov, Vladimir Kramnik, Viktor Korchnoi, Alexei Shirov or (former
world champion) Rustam Kasimdzhanov while they explain important openings and
ideas that lead to success. A host of famous chess teachers provide instruction
in more mundane subjects, like opening traps, middlegame strategy, or endgame
skills. Video running time: more than 14 (!) hours! Fritz makes it easy for you
to play against other human beings, at any time, day or night. It provides you
with a one-click connection to the largest chess community in the world,
Playchess.com (1 year access). You can play quick and informal games at any
level, take part in tournaments, or attend live lectures and training sessions.
You can also watch great international events, which are broadcast live on the
server, and you can discuss the moves with players and Grandmasters from all
over the world. It is an experience you will not want to miss.
Fritz and Chesster
Use your wits, learn to think ahead, have fun and excitement AND learn a whole
lot about chess: this great chess adventure has all of this and more in store
for you! Together with Prince Fritz and his cousin Bianca learn how to play
chess, then test and increase your knowledge in a whole range of exciting games
and situations. How do you set up the board? What’s stalemate? When do you call
it a draw? What does opposition mean? And what’s “up the stairs mate”? Find the
answers to these questions and many more in animated games and contests. Tips
and tricks are explained step by step. Then you can provide and test your skill
in the special games and tasks. And once you’ve got the hang of everything, join
Fritz to take on King Black in the grand finale.
It does not teach chess in the usual way. It does not set up a board and
explain how each of the pieces move. Instead it targets children who have never
played chess before in their lives and teaches them the basic rules in a
Rybka
is the strongest chess engine in the world. Written by International Master
V.Rajlich, it is leading all lists by 50-100 ELO points.
http://www.rybkachess.com/
Chessmaster
10th Edition Chess Software for PC
http://www.chess.com/eq/chess+software/chessmaster-10th-edition-chess-software-for-pc2
Chess Myth Busting
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5177
Computers will solve the game of chess -
Computers are strong opponents and the best analyse many millions of positions
per second (e.g.
Rybka),
however, simply look at the statistics - there are 318,979,564,000 possible ways
to play the first four moves of chess. In addition,
On another note, if a computer solves the game of chess, a person could not
possibly remember what to do against any possible move in order to beat someone
- it's just too difficult. The use of computers to try to solve the game of
chess is inefficient, see hypothesis number 4 for a better use of computers.
Assessment: Busted.
Why teach chess?
http://www.chessctr.org/teaching.php
Chess helps students improve their mental abilities, such as:
problem solving
critical thinking
pattern recognition
planning ahead
spatial awareness
focus and concentration
Chess teaches students that there are
consequences for their actions and that making good decisions based on planning
and reasoning has happier outcomes than being impulsive and making poor
decisions.
You do not need to be a great chess player to teach chess. You need to be able
to follow a lesson plan and you need to find time consistently to allow the
students to learn.
Some of our best chess teachers did not know even the rules of the game when
they began teaching chess. They had open minds and the desire to learn along
with their students. They now are convinced that chess is an extremely valuable
tool to use in the classroom.
They followed our lesson plan; now they have great classes with happier, more
productive students.
Students learn responsibility and the necessity of following rules so discipline
problems are reduced and there is less need for repetition. Teachers save time
in the classroom allowing them more opportunities for enriching activities.
Chess is not an academic subject, yet chess players become better students.
Chess is an amazing tool in the hands of educators as it produces students more
ready to pay attention and learn.
How can you, as a teacher, introduce chess when you are not sure of the rules?
It's not hard. You use our lesson plans. These are the same lesson plans our
teachers use with students in
The U.S. Chess Center's basic philosophy includes teaching students the
rules of etiquette, and then
breaking down the game into pieces small enough that any person can learn them
all. We spend very little time lecturing children, and the instruction is done
through having the students answer leading questions.
1.
Thirteen lesson plans for teachers from
The article “Why teach chess” on page 7 is found on this site.
2. Chess lessons for the chess teacher
http://library.thinkquest.org/10746/lessons.html
The Basic
Rules of Chess
General Principles of Chess Strategy
Tactics
Illustrative Games
Practice Games
Tips for
Teachers
3.
Eight chess lessons that allow
novice and experienced chess players to easily teach students how to play
through games focused on each individual chess piece.
http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/2846.html
Materials Required: Chess boards and pieces
Activity Time: 8 days-30 minutes for each lesson
Concepts Taught: math critical thinking, problem solving, how to play chess
Instructional Objectives for Chess:
Increase and improve analytical thinking skills
Improve problem solving techniques
Increase self-confidence and improved organizational habits
Improve logic and reasoning skills
Increase patience and persistence
Improve decision making skills
4.
Chess Lesson Plans
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/MathChessProblemSolving28.htm
By – Linda Hudson
Primary Subject - Math
Secondary Subjects - Math
Grade Level - grades 2-8
Chess Lesson Plans for Teachers
Rationale: The belief that chess
promotes critical thinking and problem solving has led to its growing popularity
in schools nationally. Currently, half of the US Chess Federation's members are
children under 19. The US Chess Federation clearly states that "We know chess
makes kids smarter."
Chess is becoming more popular in schools due to the fact that it is a board
game of skill and strategy. The children learn how to evaluate which move is
best and then they must live with the consequences of their decisions. This is a
skill that can be applied in their day-to-day living. Chess also teaches
children about good sportsmanship as well as how to lose with grace.
Metacognative skills are important in chess. Children can review their games to
see what mistakes have been made. In this way, students can improve their
strategy and fine-tune their critical thinking skills.
This lesson allows the novice and experienced chess player to easily teach
children how to play chess through games focused on each individual chess piece.
5.
Beginning Chess Lesson 1 by J. Buky
http://www.thechessacademy.org/Lesson_1_Board.doc
Objective: To learn chess algebraic notation using the chessboard and pieces.
National Math Standards Addressed for this Chess and Math Curriculum:
Ability level: This lesson is for the complete beginning student.
6.
Middle Ages
Chessays By - Lisa Suhay
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/LASSMiddleAgesChESSay912MO.htm
Primary Subject - Language Arts
Secondary Subjects - Social Studies
Grade Level - 9-12
Twenty reasons why you should play chess
http://library.thinkquest.org/10746/reasons1.html
The Chess Dominion would like to take this moment to congratulate you.
Congratulations! Your have finally discovered the wonderful world of chess. Your
life will never be the same again. You will now join the multitude of your
fellow humans who already dwell within the chess dominion and you will realize
why for longer than one thousand years more people have played chess than any
other game.
You probably have a very important question to ask of the rulers of chess
dominion such as “why should I or anyone else even consider to start playing
this silly little game?” We’re glad you asked that question. Our answer may come
as a shock to some, a joy to others, and as an enlightening revelation to the
rest, be we are confident that it will extinguish any tiny flame of doubt or
uncertainty still burning within you about whether or not chess is a great game
for you to play. Are you ready for this? Let us first observe how chess pertains
to real life, what benefits it will bring you, and the reasons why everyone
would enjoy playing it. Click the hyperlink and find 20 reasons why you should
play chess.
Benefits of chess for academic performance and creative thinking
http://www.vivacityinc.com/chess/BenefitsOfChess.pdf
Chess is widely believed to increase “mental muscle”. The academic benefits of
the game appear to be extensive. There are a number of studies, which support
the contention that exposure to chess enhances memory, boosts spatial and
numerical skills, increases problem solving capabilities, and strengthens
logical thinking. Many schools all
over the world encourage chess play to enhance academic performance. Studying
chess systematically has also shown to raise students’ IQ and exam scores
(Dullea 1982; Palm 1990; Ferguson 2000), as well as strengthen mathematical,
language, and reading skills (Marguilies 1991; Liptrap 1998; Ferguson 2000).
Chess is a fun way to teach children how to think and solve an ever-changing and
diverse array of difficult problems. More and more schools around the world are
regcognizing the value of chess, with instruction
now becoming part of standard
curriculums. (this article goes for another seven pages and is worth looking
at)
Teaching Life Skills Through Chess
www.abdn.ac.uk/rowangroup/.../cisccon/moreno_parallel.ppt
By Fernando Moreno; CISCCON Conference; August 31st 2007;
Stealing
It is Black’s turn to move. The
white player just made a “bad Move” capturing the king’s pawn with the knight .
The white queen appears to be in danger.
What would you do?
a. Capture the white
queen with the bishop
b. Capture the white
knight with the knight
It’s very attractive to capture the queen. But if the bishop captures the queen,
it is a big mistake. The white bishop will capture the pawn checking the king
and in the next move the other knight will move and checkmate the black King.
Advice for Life:
Think more than one move ahead. Think of what could happen as a result of your
actions. Look at the long term consequences of your actions.
Chess: A great way to improve your child’s analytical and problem solving skills
Chess is a fun way for your child to exercise their brain, interact with other
children, and improve their critical thinking and strategy skills.
Some games don't develop specific knowledge so much as they develop basic
thinking skills. Chess is one of those games. It's for people of all ages and
it's never too early to start. What's more, age doesn't really matter when
you’re matching up opponents. Some youngsters are masters of the game, while
many grown-ups simply don't get it. There are lots of great reasons to play
Chess, apart from the sheer enjoyment of the game. It's a great way to
strengthen a young mind and exercise thinking skills so important in a child's
education. (five reasons given in article)
Chess’n Math Association –
Chess Program at
http://www.utdallas.edu/orgs/chess/edu.html
Teachers Guide: Research and benefits of chess
by Dr. Robert C. Ferguson
http://www.quadcitychess.com/benefits_of_chess.html
Chess for Schools
http://www.geocities.com/bcccturner/
This site is dedicated to the value of Chess for kids at school. Chess is great
for the mind, great for self-esteem, socially enhancing and provides the
improving student a feeling of accomplishment. Chess is great for the social and
enjoyable development of children when balanced with other more physical and
mental activities. Chess computers are
much improved these days and are superb for assisting the chess development
process. In a competitive world where kids need re-assurance, help,
encouragement and so much more, accomplishment is so valuable.
Chess is Fun
by Jon Edwards
http://www.princeton.edu/~jedwards/cif/intro.html
Want to learn how to play chess? Want to learn how to play a bit better? Here
are some fairly easy "lessons." Those relatively new to chess should play though
the introduction to chess and the section on chess strategy just below.
365 chess lessons
http://www.entertainmentjourney.com/index3.htm
Lessons for Novice, Intermediate and Advanced students
Chess Puzzle of the Day
http://www.shredderchess.com/daily-chess-puzzle.html
Daily updated chess puzzles with three levels of difficulty. To enter the
solution, click on the desired piece and drag it to the target square. I enjoy
this site and have solved these puzzles many times.
Bringing chess to schools – Academic Chess
http://www.academicchess.org/
A great site with lots of student friendly graphics and the only site with free
chess videos.
Chessbase News
http://www.chessbase.com/index.asp
Up to date news on what is going on in the world regarding chess
Chessville
– by chessplayers, for chessplayers
http://www.chessville.com/
Another excellent chess web site
Essential chess links
– the best and most useful chess sites
http://www.chessopolis.com/essential.htm
Chessland
– A good collection of tutorials and links for learners.
http://www.geocities.com/akap8/chess.htm
Learn chess at chess kids academy
– teach your students how to play chess with our free online course
http://www.chesskids.com/
Chessops
– a basic guide to chess openings
http://www.eudesign.com/chessops/
World’s first and still largest hand built openings information site and still
free!
Exter chess club
http://www.exeterchessclub.org.uk/
A wonderful collection of free
chess resources, including handouts for teachers, coaching links, and a great
colleciton of chess quotations and anecdotes.
Mathematics and Chess
by Miodrag Petkovic – This is a collection of 110 problems in geometry, algebra,
and combinations based on the moves of the chess pieces. The only chess
knowledge required is the rules of the game. The amount of mathematical skill
required is considerable.
http://isolanis.com/2008/01/mathematics-and-chess-by-petkovic-reviewed-by-david-davis/
Blunders and Brilliancies
by Ian Mullen - A favorite chess book of mine
http://www.amazon.com/Blunders-Brilliancies-Cadogan-Chess-Books/dp/0080371361
How Life Imitates Chess
by Garry Kasparov – I recommend reading this fascinating book
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2007/apr/22/sportandleisure.features
Commercial chess software for schools
The official scholastic software of the United States Chess Federation is the
Think Like A King Chess Software
System
http://www.schoolchess.com/SoftwareHome.asp
Think Like A King® has created a complete scholastic chess curriculum of seven
interactive tutorials that will help your children become better chess players
and better thinkers - and allow you to create a culture at home where successful
thinking is seen as the key to a successful life. It allows educators to quickly
and effectively establish a successful, sustainable chess programme by providing
critical education, motivation and management tools. Whether you offer chess
during or after school, with or without a formal chess club this software works.
The Knights of the South Bronx DVD
can be ordered from this site. Read
its review here
http://www.chessville.com/News/KNIGHTSOFTHESOUTHBRONX.htm
Searching for Bobby Fischer
DVD -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Searching_for_Bobby_Fischer
A must see film about the
based on life of prodigy chess player Joshua Waitzkin.