Why should I play chess?
- Chess is a game for people of all ages. When playing a game, your opponent can be much younger or much older than you are. Parents, grandparents and children can challenge one another.
- Chess develops memory. Players memorize different opening moves, recognize various patterns and remember lengthy variations.
- Chess improves concentration. During the game you have to focus on all of the moves and getting your opponent in checkmate.
- Chess develops logical thinking. Chess requires some understanding of logical strategy.
- Chess develops imagination and creativity. It encourages you to be inventive in the moves you make. There are so many combinations yet to be constructed.
- Chess teaches independence. You are forced to make important decisions. Only you can decide where to make your next move.
- Chess develops the capability of predicting and foreseeing the results of your moves.
- Chess inspires self-motivation. It encourages you to search for the best move and the best plan.
- Chess shows that success rewards hard work. The more you practise, the better you will become.
- Chess develops the scientific way of thinking. Whilst playing, you explore new ideas, try to predict their outcomes, make your move and test it.
- Chess and Mathematics. Chess involves an infinite number of calculations. Young players may count the number of attackers and defenders and older players may calculate lengthy continuations.
- Chess and research. There are many chess resources for every aspect of the game.
- Chess and Psychology. Chess is a test of patience, nerves, willpower and concentration. You spend a lot of time interacting with other people. It also tests your sportsmanship in a competitive environment.
- Chess improves school work and grades. Numerous studies have proven that learners obtain a higher reading level, Maths level and a greater learning ability overall, as a result of playing chess. A scientific survey has shown that the Science and Maths marks of chess players could improve by 20 to 30%. By playing chess, a learner’s IQ could improve by up to 5% per year.
- Chess opens up the world for you. You don’t need to be a high-ranked player to enter competitions. Chess provides you with plenty of opportunities to travel to places in SA and abroad to play in competitions. Chess is a universal language and you can communicate with anyone over the board.
- Chess enables you to meet many interesting people. You will make life-long friendships with people you meet through chess.
- Chess is cheap. You don’t need expensive and fancy equipment to play chess. All you need is a chess board and chess pieces.
- Chess is fun. No chess game ever repeats itself which means that you create more and more new ideas during each game. It never becomes boring.
