Smart move

Helping inner city kids make smart moves
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
ABC news, Toledo, Ohio

An elderly woman is helping inner city kids make smart moves in the classroom and in life, all by teaching the classic game of chess. At her age, she could be at home watching ‘The View’, but instead she empowers students to succeed through the game of chess. Problems are sometimes solved with violence or neglect in the inner city, but students at Lincoln Academy for boys are learning how to solve problems with their minds, one move at a time.

Miss Roz is a volunteer chess instructor. The 79-year-old has been teaching chess for 50 years. Research shows a classic game of chess inspires self-motivation, critical thinking and shows success rewards hard work. Players also learn how to win and lose with grace.

Fifth grade math teacher Su Breymaier says her students are learning problem solving too.

“In life you can’t just think of what’s going to happen tomorrow, you need to think of the future. Our boys can see that the decisions they make today will effect the decision they make later in life.

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