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There have been several studies about the benefits of chess. It is obviously intellectually stimulating, but is it worth teaching your child? In a 1973-74 Zaire study, employing 92 students, age 16-18, the chess-playing experimental group showed a significant advancement in spatial, numerical and administrative-directional abilities, along with verbal aptitudes, compared to the control group. The improvements held true regardless of the final chess skill level attained. This means that it doesn’t matter how good at chess you are – just learning it and playing it gives you an advantage over people who don’t. According to a two-year study conducted in Kishinev, grades for young students taking part in the chess experiment increased in all subjects. Teachers noted improvement in memory, better organizational skills, and for many increased fantasy and imagination. Not … Read entire article »