Today is International Chess Day

All three of my grands enjoy playing chess. They often want to play chess with me when they are at my house - primarily because they always beat me. My middle grand has won games with me by making fewer than five moves - I still do not know how they did that! My oldest grand likes to play chess with me - he also often beats me with fewer than ten moves. My youngest grand will play chess with me IF he is able to start without his queen - the last time we did this he managed to get two queens back, and yes, he won. 

There are many reasons teaching children to play chess is something which benefits them - did you know . . . 

• Chess is a game that revolves around strategy. By playing chess, kids can develop critical thinking skills, enabling kids to approach challenges with a more thoughtful and calculated mindset.
• Chess emphasizes principles such as good sportsmanship, integrity, and fair play. Children who engage in chess not only learn to abide by the rules but also develop a strong sense of moral values, which can positively influence their behavior both on and off the board.
• By engaging in chess, children enhance their problem-solving capabilities, fostering their ability to analyze situations, think critically, and make informed decisions, skills that prove invaluable in various academic and real-life scenarios.
• By engaging in chess, kids stimulate their neural connections, promoting mental agility and facilitating the acquisition of new knowledge and skills.
• By regularly engaging in chess, children learn to regulate their emotions, think clearly, and make sound decisions while under pressure, enhancing their ability to handle high-pressure situations in other areas of life.

You will find more ways learning to play chess benefits children at this link, but I have to add one more - it provides a wonderful way to spend time with the children you love and build incredible memories!

Now, for a few fun facts about chess - did you know . . . 

• Chess is banned in Russian Antarctic States - A match in 1959 became so heated, one player attacked another with an ice ax.
• A 2012 survey found that about 605 million adults around the world play chess on a regular basis.
• The game of strategy is great for our brain cells. Psychologists recommend playing chess to improve memory function and doctors prescribe it to fight Alzheimer’s.

You will find more information about chess and International Chess Day at this link.