Chess is a universal game. Not only it is universal, there are no constraints or physical requirements to learn this game. Even a 5-year old infant or a 80-year old man, if he had not heard or learnt about chess until then (which is quite unlikely), can learn the game of chess and start playing it. In other words, there is no entry barrier for this game.
But, the game, learnt at the early age, by the children has innumerable benefits, and plays a very important role in shaping the life and character of the children.
A number of research studies have been conducted to establish the benefits of teaching chess to the children in their early age. The results were astonishing to say the least. It is for this very reason chess is included as a part of curriculum in many primary schools in most countries across the world.
Chess is a thinking game. The unique feature of this game is that you decide the fate or outcome of the game all by yourself and nobody or nothing can guide you to a result in the game other than you.
Having understood the objective of the game and the pieces at your disposal in the square board, it is you who decide which piece to move and how to plan your attack against the opponent. If you make a mistake, then it is quite likely that the opponent will take advantage of that mistake and will punish you. In the game of chess, you can enforce a victory over the opponent not by displaying your skill, but only by exposing the opponent’s mistake and seizing that opportunity. Thus, if you want to play a game and also say the golden word of Checkmate to the opponent, then you should not make any mistake in your moves.
If you do not want to make any mistakes in your moves, you should obviously think before making a move, analyze the position, weigh the merits and demerits of the move, and also foresee what will be the reaction of the opponent to your move. This is what every chess player does in the game of chess, but he is not aware that his mind is calculating or thinking on these lines while his eyes are glued on the board.
Not only is the chess player’s mind involved in the thinking process, he also learns which the correct move is, and which the wrong move is. Because if he commits a mistake, immediately he will get punished for that in the game. Every mistake that gets instant punishment will result in a learning experience, and this experience will teach you not to make the same mistake again.
The level of confidence in a chess player, who thinks critically, makes the correct moves and finally says “checkmate” will be much higher, and this self-confidence will drive him to face the problems and the life in general with a cheerful attitude.
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