The show “The Queen’s Gambit” has taken the world by storm since it aired. Chess games in the show demonstrate the protagonist’s amazing chess skills, and these tight chess games attract everyone’s attention. Beside the exciting plots, the show draws attention to international chess as a hobby. Even though international chess is not the most popular hobby out there, in fact, international chess is a puzzle game that is greatly beneficial for kids’ development, including the children’s intelligence and non-intelligence aspects. As a parent, you might want to know how these complicated and difficult games generate so many great changes for children. Therefore, ILK Learning explains 5 ways international chess benefits kids’ development.

1. 1. 1. Strengthen Logical Thinking Ability

         Playing international chess requires constant analysis. There are so many strategies and tactics for players to learn. Even executing one single move requires enormous patience and thinking. As your opponent makes a move, you need to instantly calculate how your next move leads to different possibilities. That is why learning international chess can greatly improve children’s calculation ability, memory, quick analysis ability to nurture a mature logical thinking ability.

      2. Build A Good Character

         International chess is a static sport, and players should always maintain a good posture and proper behaviour at all times. Despite unfavourable situations, chess players have to remain calm so that the opponents cannot pick up any clues. Moreover, the waiting time in international chess is very long. Children should not, in any ways, distract their opponents so that their opponents are able to think clearly to demonstrate respect. These long-term training can train children’s patience, perseverance, proper body language, as well as sportsmanship.

      3. Cultivate Strong Mental Abilities

         Mental state can affect the result of a chess game. If you are uncareful, your opponent will be able to see through your plan. Therefore, a chess game is not only a puzzle game that challenges your intelligence, but your emotions! If you allow your emotions to show on your face all the time, not only can opponents obtain more information, but it might also cause your emotions to be unstable. Therefore, children have to remain calm during chess games, a high level of concentration, and micro-control their facial expression. Such training can train children’s resistance to stress.

      4. Improve Children’s Self-Discipline

         Etiquette and sportsmanship are important aspects in international chess. Chess players have to maintain manners during chess games even if they are trying their very best to come up with their next moves to show respect to the game, to their opponent and to themselves. At unfavourable situations, children still need to control their facial expressions and think of ways to get the upper hand. To adults, sitting still for a chess game might be easy, but to young children who love to fidget, this challenges their self-discipline, spontaneous response and willpower!

      5. Expand Social Circle

         Chess players come from all over the world with different backgrounds, races and ages. This means children can use chess as a common interest to communicate with people from different backgrounds. Not only can children sharpen their chess skills, they can use chess as a medium to communicate with people from different ages, backgrounds and races without any obstacles to cultivate multiple-angle perspective.

Conclusion

Related Courses: 

• The Chess Academy
• Positive Parenting (Zoom Class)
• Learn Suggestopedia in 5 minutes – Shape Your Kid’s Life Forever

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