St. Mary School recently launched a chess club for elementary students in second through fifth grade.
The inaugural meeting saw 18 chess players gather together to learn the game and play to their ability.
Parent volunteers, Brendan Mullane and Carol Brinks, both played the game growing up. They stressed the educational values and benefits of playing chess. Aside from developing cognitive skills, chess advances social skills, such as alternating turns, following rules, learning fair play, self-respect and respect for others, understanding different perspectives and developing empathy.
Chess also improves problemsolving skills, strategic and critical thinking and decision making.
The club meets after school and begins with a snack followed by a lesson on learning basic concepts, such as identifying chess pieces and strategies related to moving the chessman. Chess play follows based on each students’ ability. One of the tools used to teach game concepts is no stress chess, where cards are drawn to guide players through movement on the board. Various tools help students modify their approach to play and increase learning therefore developing a love for the game.
