Checkmate! How Chess Benefits Logan in After School
Program: After School
The first game Logan played against Mr. Keith, he lost. He’d never played chess before, and he only knew some of the pieces – and those by look, not by name.
But Mr. Keith was patient, mostly because when he was about Logan’s age, somebody had taken the time to teach him chess, and he still remembered the experience. He was paying it forward. So he gave Logan some advice for future games: Don’t chase after other pieces. Rather, defend your own pieces. Then try to persuade your opponent to chase you, and set up traps for them.
After about two or three games, Logan started to get the hang of it. His focus improved, and he began to think ahead, planning for future moves.
The last game, he won!
Logan’s love of chess has even extended beyond the Unleashing Potential program. He’s played a couple of games against his mom.
And while it has helped Logan with critical thinking and problem solving, it’s also helped him to connect with others.
“The message I want to pass along to Mr. Keith is: Thank you for teaching me chess,” he said. “You’re very kind.”
*Actual student/name has been changed to protect child’s identity
