Chess

Chess is one of the fascinating board games that requires thinking on the part of the players and calls for nothing less than logical thinking and application of skills to claim victory over the opponent or not end up losing the game at the hands of the opponent.

One needs to concentrate on the game, plan his moves, analyze the board, assess the position and also foresee the opponent’s response to a move before taking a decision to move a piece. This might sound a difficult proposition, but this is the process that actually takes place, either knowingly or unknowingly, among the chess players while they make their moves. Any flaw in this process or an error in judgment is sufficient for the opponent to launch an attack that might lead to saying checkmate to your king.

It goes without saying that one needs to concentrate on the game and take appropriate decisions driven by logical thinking and careful planning.

Concentration, decision making, logical thinking, planning and execution – all these are virtues that help a lot in one’s life and character. The earlier one learns these virtues and moulds his life accordingly, the more successful he will emerge in his life.

This is one important reason that children should be encouraged to learn the game of chess and start playing the game right from the early stages of life. It would be a real fun for the children to learn the different capabilities of the knights, the rooks and the bishops.

Children will be first taught the important virtue of abiding by the rules and regulations of the game. Then comes the aspect of concentration in the game, which helps in understanding the game in a better manner.

Children will then be exposed to the quality of analyzing the board, the weak squares that can be attacked, the squares that need to be protected, the squares that need to be controlled and such other things.

Children will then be trained to plan their chess strategies and tactics. Strategy is a long-term goal while tactics involves a series of small steps leading to the success of a strategy. Then comes the role of decision-making. Having assessed the position, one needs to take a decision to make the appropriate move. All tactics and plans might not yield the desired results, because the opponent also sees the position in front of him and may come up with good defensive tactics. Reacting to the response and chalking out alternate plans or tactics also becomes a part of the game.

Children, who are capable of learning things at a relatively faster pace, can get trained with all these important traits right from their early age as they cultivate the habit of playing chess regularly.

The children need not be forced to take up and learn these traits by force or coercion. As they start playing the game, begin understanding the game, develop a sense of affinity, and love for the game, it is but natural that these qualities get into them without any external push or assistance.

These qualities help them outshine other children, gain more self-confidence and achieve success in their life.