Chess is a learning tool that just happens to be a game. It is a classic game of strategy invented on 6th century in India.
Nowadays, most countries include chess in the school curriculum. They found out that there is a significant correlation between the ability to play chess well, and spatial, numerical, administrative, directional, and paper work abilities. Learning Chess has a positive influence on the development of both numerical and verbal aptitudes.
Children enjoy playing chess at first because it is fun and exciting. But as they continue, they find chess very challenging. That’s why many chess schools including GMG Chess Academy designed
a chess curriculum so students enjoy the long term benefits of chess. Nowadays, most chess players become stronger thru chess center, chess club and self-training. Learning Chess has a positive influence on empathy of an individual as you can see later.
Chess is a great game parents can use today to teach their children life skills that enable them to deal effectively with the demand and challenges of life. There are 6 listed life skills based on the WHO in 1999 (see listed below).
Life Skills
1. Decision-making & problem solving
2. Creative and critical
3. Communication and interpersonal skill
4. Self-awareness and empathy
5. Assertiveness and equanimity
6. Resilience and coping with emotion / stress
Empathy is an awareness of the needs and feelings of others and able to see things from their point of view. It is one of the components of emotional intelligence (EQ), the main factor for people success. The Three types of empathy as listed below can develop thru chess and applied in our daily lives.
Now let’s see one of the gamethat relates to empathy.
L. Gutman – A. Vitolinsh, URS Soviet Union 1979
If we know the style of our opponent we go to opposite side. If they are attacker we go to positional play. 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb44. e3 0-0 5. Nge2 b5!? (diagram) Black surprised White with an interesting pawn sacrifice for active Rook and development and both of them tried to
calculate as deeply as they can. Just like in relationship, every time we give a surprise gift, our partners engage more in our relationship and give back what we want. 6. cxb5 a6 7. Ng3 Bb7 8. Bd2 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 Bxg2 10. Bxb5Bxg2 11. Rg1 Bc6 (diagram) In the ancient chess, White plan is toget advantage while Black to get equal position. Just like in negotiation, we calculate all the pros and cons of the transaction and we use cognitive empathy for win-win situation.
12. Nh5 Nxh5 13. Qxh5 Bxb5?(diagram 3) 17…d5 is playable, aspreventing White dark-Bishop on the board and falling from White’s plan. We failed because we don’t give attention to the competitors’ plan or our partner’s feeling. Most of the time, it is better to be empathize with others.
14. Qh6 g6 15. d5 e5 16. Bxe5 f6 17. Rxg6+ hxg6 18. Qxg6+Kh8 19. Kd2?? (19. Qh6+ Kg8 20. 0-0-0 Bf1 21. Qg6+ Kh8 22. Rxf1 Qe7 23. Rg1Qc5+ 24. Bc3 Qe7 25. Qh6 wins. White failed because he didn’t see the Black response. If he gave more attention to Black’s plan he can find the winning plan. Just like in life, we have all the resources but we don’t give time and attention to
our partners’ feeling and competitors. (diagram 4) Bd3!! In life, we haveups and down, some think that life is negative, but some think as positive. The one that keeps moving and stay positive will become successful, some by luck but the main factors are their goals/purpose, hard work, emotions, etc. 20.Kxd3 Qe7 21. e4 Qg7 22. Qh5+ Kg8 23. Bd4 c5 24. Bxc5 Rc8 25. f4 Na6 26. Bf2 Nb4+ 27. Ke2 Rxa2 0-1
By Gerald Ferriol
Chess & Life Coach