January 2023 MBR The Gaming Shelf

The Gaming Shelf

Chess for Schools
Richard James
Crown House Publishing
81 Brook Hills Circle, White Plains, NY 10605
www.crownhousepublishing.com
9781785835971, $23.95, PB, 200pp

https://www.amazon.com/Forthcoming-Picture-Chess-Schools-competitions/dp/1785835971

Synopsis: Chess is a game of extraordinary excitement and beauty and all children should have the opportunity to experience it. Indeed, many claim that playing abstract strategy games such as chess provides a wide range of cognitive and social benefits -- such as improvements in problem-solving ability and communication skills.

However, with the publication of "Chess for Schools: From Simple Strategy Games to Clubs and Competitions", chess expert and educator Richard James argues that, because of the complexity of chess, most younger children would gain more benefit from simpler chess-based strategy games and incremental learning. With this practical handbook, Richard provides a wide range of games and puzzles based on these principles which are appropriate for primary schools and explains how teachers can identify children who would benefit from starting young.

Richard also sets out how this approach can engage the whole community, including working with children with special needs, getting parents involved in learning and playing, and developing partnerships between primary and secondary schools.

"Chess for Schools" also shares the latest research into how children process information, combined with insights into international best practice in teaching chess to young children. Furthermore, "Chess for Schools" demonstrates the transforming effect chess can have on older children, and how this can be promoted in secondary schools. Of special note are James valuable insights into the greater context of chess-playing, expressing how and why chess is a joy to so many worldwide and shares a series of resources and minigames for teachers to use with their learners.

Critique: Informatively enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of four Appendices (The Rules of Chess; Terminology; Competitive Chess; Chess Ratings) and a four page Bibliography, is an ideal resource to help classroom teachers and school counselors encourage preteens, teens, and young adults to enjoy the benefits and challenges of the chess game. While highly recommended for personal, professional, and academic library Educational Gaming collections, it should be noted that "Chess for Schools: From Simple Strategy Games to Clubs and Competitions" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.80).

Editorial Note: Richard James (https://chessimprover.com/contributors/richard-james) has been teaching and organising chess for children since 1972. Between 1975 and 2006, Richard ran the highly successful Richmond Junior Chess Club, whose members included Luke McShane, Jonathan Rowson and other future grandmasters. He is also the author of Chess for Kids and The Right Way to Teach Chess to Kids, and has written extensively on chess history and trivia.

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