Chess is a game for people of all ages. You can learn to play at any age, and in chess, unlike in many other sports, you never have to give it up. Age is not a factor, young and old can play together. Girls and boys can compete against one another in a socially acceptable manner.
¨ Chess develops imagination and creativity. It encourages you to be inventive.
¨ Chess develops memory and it keeps the mind sharp.
¨ Chess improves concentration.
¨ Chess develops logical thinking by searching for the best and most efficient way to accomplish your goal.
¨ Chess teaches independence. You are forced to make important decisions influenced only by your own judgment and to accept the consequences of your of actions.
¨ Chess is a test of patience, nerves, willpower and concentration. It enhances your ability to interact with other people. It tests your sportsmanship in a competitive environment.
¨ Chess shows that hard work and effort leads to success. The more you study and practice, the better you’ll become.
The New York City Schools Chess Program included more than 30,000 inner-city children in more than 100 public schools between 1986 and 1990. Based on academic and anecdotal records, the program has proven:
· Chess dramatically improves a child’s ability to think rationally.
· Chess increases cognitive skills.
· Chess improves children’s communication skills and aptitude in recognizing patterns.
· Chess results in higher grades especially in English and Math studies.
· Chess builds a sense of team spirit while emphasizing the ability of the individual.
· Chess teaches the value of hard work, concentration and commitment.
· Chess instills in young players a sense of self-confidence and self-worth.
· Chess makes a child realize that he or she is responsible for his or her own actions and must accept their consequences.
· Chess teaches children to try their best to win, while accepting defeat with grace.
· Chess provides an intellectual, competitive forum through which children can assert hostility, i.e. “let off steam,” in an acceptable way.
· Chess can become a child’s most eagerly awaited school activity, dramatically improving attendance.
· Chess allows girls to compete with boys on a non-threatening, socially acceptable plane.
· Chess helps children make friends more easily because it provides an easy, safe forum for gathering and discussion.
· Chess allows students and teachers to view each other in a more sympathetic way.
· Chess, through competition, gives kids a palpable sign of their accomplishments.
Polgar Chess Center
www.SusanPolgar.com
103-10 Queens Blvd.
Forest Hills, NY 11375
718-897-4600
My daughter , Elizabeth still talks about “HER” chess teacher, Ms Polgar, after a lovely week at chess camp this past winter break!
Thanks very much for your hospitality,Susan!!!
Now she is doing after school chess class in our town once a week and playing Fritz and Chesster at home.
I hope to make the journey to Queens again this year.
These are excellent points about chess. Thanks for putting it up.
Mary
My children’s grades went up big time after they started to play chess. I think chess is great!
Mirna
I have been playing chess for 43 years. Even though I am not a great player, chess helped me a lot with my professional career. I think chess should be taught to every child in America.
Ron Blackman
Chess is just wonderful — it has changed my life!
I always thought I was stupid, in fact I thought my whole family was not too bright. Then this summer I visited my father and brother and the difference between my life and that of my father and brother was so dramatic I could not help noticing. There was a marvelous sense of peace about them, so one day I asked my brother what made the difference. His response was that he had taken up playing chess. I could not imagine my brother to play such a difficult game, so I asked him how he managed to master it. He replied that he had bought one of Susan Polgar’s DVD’s and that in the privacy of his own house he had quickly mastered the game.
After I returned home, I decided to buy Susan’s DVD and soon I got addicted to it. Her sweet voice gave me so much confidence! Now my friends and family are astonished when they see me playing the Najdorf Sicilian.
For your information: The Najdorf Sicilian is accomplished by developing a thematic repertoire that relies on a single pawn structure. It allows black to develop in an understandable fashion and generally seek counterplay via a handful of methods.
It is marvellous, isn’t it?
Yes, it is Peter. Good job! You can be nice if you want to 🙂
Mary
“Based on academic and anecdotal records, the program has proven”.
Would it be possible to give us a reference to those records?
Be very suspicious towards with statistical evidence. Most basketball players are tall, but playing basketball does not make you tall.