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School children in Primary and secondary schools have limited gaming and sporting activities, majority of them confined to games that call for physical energy and large expanses of land. Consequently, many children end up missing out on the chance to enjoy school and develop their talents, especially the physically weak or disabled ones. The situation is worse in urban schools, most of which lack space for the common games, particularly football and netball. Children in such schools are forced to forego all the benefits that come with games and sports, concentrating on academics.
The chess game shall cater for all the above categories of children who thirst for something enjoyable yet physically and economically affordable. In addition to that, the game shall:
i. improve concentration, due to the fact that during the game one is focused on only one main goal to checkmate and become the victor;
ii. develop logical thinking, since chess requires some understanding of logical strategy. For example, you will know that it is important to bring your pieces out into the game at the beginning, to keep your king safe at all times, not to make big weaknesses in your position and not to blunder your pieces away for free;
iii. promote imagination and creativity, as it encourages you to be inventive. There are an indefinite amount of beautiful combinations yet to be constructed;
iv. teach independence, since one is forced to make important decisions influenced only by one's own judgment;
v. develop the capability to predict and foresee consequences of actions. It teaches you to look both ways before crossing the street;
vi. inspire self-motivation, encouraging the search of the best move, the best plan, and the most beautiful continuation out of the endless possibilities. It encourages the everlasting aim towards progress, always steering to ignite the flame of victory.
vii. show that success rewards hard work, the more you practice, the better you'll become. You should be ready to lose and learn from your mistakes.
viii. develop the scientific way of thinking, while playing, you generate numerous variations in your mind. You explore new ideas, try to predict their outcomes and interpret surprising revelations. You decide on a hypothesis, and then you make your move and test it.
ix. promote technology, players engage in a search for the better move in a limited amount of time.
x. enhance Mathematics, since it involves an infinite number of calculations, anything from counting the number of attackers and defenders in the event of a simple exchange to calculating lengthy continuations. And you use your head to calculate, not some little machine.
xi. improve the ability of children to interact with others amicably even when in an unfavourable situation. Chess is a test of patience, nerves, will power and concentration. It enhances your ability to interact with other people. It tests your sportsmanship in a competitive environment.
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