Learn to play, play to learn

By Richard Couch

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Newspaper articles on educational subjects are filled with listings of cuts in teacher positions, cuts in curriculum, loss of funding for programs, and falling scores. Isn't there any good news?

Well, yes there is - if one looks at stories about area chess tournaments.

Weber Elementary School in Iowa City recently conducted its annual chess tournament for players of all ability levels in grades K-6. The tournament attracted students from local schools, a Neighborhood Project in Iowa City, and schools and students from Cedar Rapids. Approximately 150 students took part.

Were all these students the brightest of the bright? Chess certainly has the reputation of attracting the brightest students. But chess isn't for just the brightest students. Nor does it make a student “bright.” It is widely accepted that chess promotes higher-level thinking skills, but for the average person, what does that mean exactly?

Chess requires concentration and motivation. It requires some discipline and patience and penalizes impulsiveness. Making a move without considering what will happen next can result in a loss.

At a time when teachers need help in finding ways to unlock a student's potential for learning, chess is a tool to stimulate skills essential for classroom learning. Not just for the brightest, but for everyone.

Chess teaches sportsmanship. Rowdy players will be asked to leave a chess club or tournament. “Trash talk” or other forms of taunting an opponent are not allowed. There is no jumping up and down when a player wins.

Yet, there is real reason for a growth in self-esteem when a player wins. A win is not just a victory in one game. A win signifies mastery of many skills. As a player progresses in his ability, he or she can easily see how concentration, discipline and experience resulted in his victory.

Parents will like the fact that few chess players require hospitalization as a result of a chess tournament. Also, in a world filled with cellphones, MP3 players and game consoles, chess can entice kids away from technology and back into the realm of face-to-face human interaction.

Best of all for a cash-strapped school district, members of the Grey Knights Chess Club, located at the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center, are helping students learn the game. Three members of the club are working with the before-school program at Lincoln Elementary School.

Some of the Iowa City schools already have chess in before school programs or at lunch. For those schools lacking such programs, the Grey Knights are ready to help.

One of history's oldest board games may be an effective way to prepare students to succeed in the 21st century. It's your move ….

Richard Couch of Iowa City, a learning facilitator for Kirkwood Community College Continuing Education, is a tournament chess player and activity coordinator for the Gray Knights Chess Club. Comments: racouch@mindspring.com