Ever since it took its modern form, chess has been viewed as many different things: A metaphor for human experience, describing different social classes with their different roles within a society, a military strategy, an expression of creativity and a benchmark of genius.
Yes, chess has been viewed as many things, but nobody can argue its benefits on one’s mind. Chess provides you with values and skills that you’ll use for the rest of your life both in and outside the classroom. Therefore, it is for that reason Kirkwood Community College should have a chess club. But what are these life/classroom skills that chess provides?
An article published by BIG THINK, exploring why chess should be required in schools. Some math and chess teachers said, “Chess trains logical thinking. It teaches how to make decisions, trains memory, strengthens willpower, motivates children to win, and teaches them how to deal with defeat. It’s the only school subject that can do all this.”
Another skill that chess teaches that can profoundly impact students at Kirkwood is thinking ahead, planning out the future and seeing all possible options.
Not every student has it all figured out, there is a struggle with planning and thinking ahead for college students, especially in community colleges. Often, it’s the fear and lack of confidence in making the first move that chess demonstrates.
One of the great figures in American history Benjamin Franklin in his essays about “The Morals of Chess.” He stated, “The game of chess is not merely an idle amusement. several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired or strengthened by it, so as to become habits, ready on all occasions.” Chess makes you understand the consequences of your actions.
Lastly, chess is an equalizer. Age, race, religion and social economy background don’t matter.
Chess has a lot to offer the student body, thinking and planning forward, critical thinking, problem-solving and most importantly it can act as a bridge, bringing together all kinds of people around the world.
It’s because of these reasons Kirkwood should have a chess program.
Categories: Opinion
