Chess Sparks’ A-Z of playing chess? 

Chess is vital, in my opinion, to the development of juniors and adults alike.

Below is an A-Z of the following reasons that chess is important:

Accessible and available to all

It helps with Better Brain function

Improves Concentration 

Studies have shown that in people over the age of 75 it reduces and decreases the development of dementia

Exercises both sides of the brain 

FUN, FUN, FUN! If chess isn’t ticking this box then why don’t you try one of the hundreds of variation of chess games. You may be playing for hours upon hours. 

Grit  + Talent = Success. You need grit to deal with losing a chess game, to shake off that feeling of loss and to play again. You deal with losing many times throughout your life its a big part of getting better and trying to reach your goals. This loss and sense of loss is more immediate when you play a chess game and it teaches you how to learn and deal with that loss. 

Helps to prevent Alzheimer’s studies have been shown. 

Infinite possibilities. 

When there are 169,518,829,100,544,000,000,000,000,000 different ways to play the first ten moves of any chess game you know it is going to be an interesting game!

You need good Judgement to play chess so you can make clear, informed decisions on what move to play. 

Kings and Queen. Chess is a game of etiquette. You shake hands before you start a game and at the end of a game. There are principles that you should behave and adhere to while you play. 

 Improves Logical thinking

Improves Memory

Numeracy skills have been shown to be improved as well when you play chess

Orginality is not just about thinking independently but also creativity coming up with different ideas for your pieces to gain control and to beat your opponent

Problem-solving skills

Quirky – All the best people I know are unique and unusual in a really interesting way. I have met some amazing intellectual and cool chess players who are definitely quirky. I wouldn’t have it any other way! 

Raises your IQ

Self-motivation

Thinking ahead and planning

Universal – no matter where you are in the world. The rules are chess are the same. (Even though I have been told differently by a frustrated university student when I castled and they had never seen or heard of that move before and we had to google it!)

Vigilance is the action or state of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. In chess you are not only thinking about your own plan but your opponent is also trying to win. 

Creating wonderful, wary, worthy, warriors with a winning smile who are focused on the end result and use their Wit to achieve that. 

 A Xenial (hospital) community 

Chess is Yummy. When I was a junior I won a chocolate chess board as a prize. Overtime I play a game I can’t ever stop thinking about chocolate and how great it tasted!

A real Zeal for the game.