School Activities: Chess

school chess

Figure 1.--Here we see students playing chess in a European school. We are not sure about the country involved, perhaps Russia. The photograph is not dated, but was probably taken in the 1920s. Chess seems to be an activity that has primarily interested boys. Interesting here is the number of girls that seem interested in chess.

One popular extra-curricilar school activity is chess. Most American high schools had chess clubs. Some primary (elementary) schools also pursued chess as a school activity. Clubs were voluntary groups that meyt after regular classes at school. They would organize matches between students and prrhaps invite experts to give lectures or demonstrations. Some clubs like the chess club would organize tournamets or arrange competitions with oher schools. Chess was even more popular in Europe. Some countries like Russia are noted for their pursuit of chess. I'm not sure, however, to what extent chess became a school activity. Perhaps there were chess clubs in European schools as well. Here we are not sure. Their are other ways of pursuing youth chess. It should not be thought tht chess was entirely an extra-curricular activity. While this was certainly the primary approach, we note that at some schools it was intriduced in the classroom. This seems to have been primarily pursued by individual teachers than on a school-wide basis. Proponents of chess argue that their are in fact academic benefits to chess as it requires analytical thought. Critical thinking is of course a key aspect of education. One proponent insists that chess, " ... requires a minimum of resources; and, it demands that participants exercise their best powers of planning, memory, decision-making, judgment, creativity, and concentration. For these reasons alone, all schools should be providing opportunities for the learning and practicing of chess ..." A School Chess Association was organized in the United States to promote school chess clubs as well as a summer chess camp. They promote chess at both the elementary (primary) and secondary level. We note schools in many other countrires pursuing chess as a school activity. Chess seems to be an activity that has primarily interested boys. I am not sure why this was, but may relate to the competitice nature of the game. Another interesting question is if boys are inherently better at the game.

Popularity

One popular extra-curricilar school activity is chess. Chess is surely one of the most popuilar of all games. It has ancient origins. It seems to have originated in ancient India from which it spread to neighboring Persia. After the Islamic conquest of Persia, it spread throughout the Arab world. Gradually in reached Christian Europe. The game has varied in popularity, but has always been among the most popular board games.

Approaches

Most American high schools have chess clubs. Some primary (elementary) schools also pursued chess as a school activity. Clubs were voluntary groups that met after regular classes at school. Less common were meetings before classes or in the evening. They would organize matches between students and perhaps invite experts to give lectures or demonstrations. Some clubs like the chess club would organize tournamets or arrange competitions with oher schools. Their are other ways of pursuing youth chess. It should not be thought tht chess was entirely an extra-curricular activity. While this was certainly the primary approach, we note that at some schools it was intriduced in the classroom. This seems to have been primarily pursued by individual teachers than on a school-wide basis. We note schools in some countrires pursuing chess as a school activity.

Country Trends

We have very limited information at this time on the popularity of chesss and the approaches in schools pursued around the world. The popularity of chess clearly varies from country to country. Chess is popular in America. It is even more popular in Europe. Some countries like Russia are noted for their pursuit of chess. A School Chess Association was organized in the United States to promote school chess clubs as well as a summer chess camp. They promote chess at both the elementary (primary) and secondary level. I'm not sure, however, to what extent chess became a school activity in different countries. The American approach was primarily chess clubs. Perhaps there were chess clubs in European schools as well. Here we are not sure.

Educational Value

Proponents of chess argue that their are in fact academic benefits to chess as it requires analytical thought. Critical thinking is of course a key aspect of education. One proponent insists that chess, " ... requires a minimum of resources; and, it demands that participants exercise their best powers of planning, memory, decision-making, judgment, creativity, and concentration. For these reasons alone, all schools should be providing opportunities for the learning and practicing of chess ..."

Gender

Chess seems to be an activity that has primarily interested boys. I am not sure why this was, but may relate to the competitice nature of the game. Another interesting question is if boys are inherently better at the game. It is demonstrable that boys have shown a greater interest in the game. And almost all of the great chess masters have been male. This does not mean, however, that boys are inherently better at it. It may simply reflect a greater interest on the part of boys. Or it may reflect inherent differences in ability. Here we are not yet sure.








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Created: 1:22 AM 10/31/2008
Last updated: 1:22 AM 10/31/2008