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/17= 85835971

Synopsis: Chess is a game of extraordinary excitement and beauty and all ch= ildren should have the opportunity to experience it. Indeed, many claim tha=
t playing abstract strategy games such as chess provides a wide range of co= gnitive and social benefits -- such as improvements in problem-solving abil= ity and communication skills.

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

Richard also sets out how this approach can engage the whole community, inc= luding working with children with special needs, getting parents involved i=
n learning and playing, and developing partnerships between primary and sec= ondary schools.

"Chess for Schools" also shares the latest research into how children proce=
ss information, combined with insights into international best practice in = teaching chess to young children. Furthermore, "Chess for Schools" demonstr= ates the transforming effect chess can have on older children, and how this=
can be promoted in secondary schools. Of special note are James valuable i= nsights into the greater context of chess-playing, expressing how and why c= hess is a joy to so many worldwide and shares a series of resources and min= igames 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 Ratin= gs) and a four page Bibliography, is an ideal resource to help classroom te= achers and school counselors encourage preteens, teens, and young adults to=
enjoy the benefits and challenges of the chess game. While highly recommen= ded for personal, professional, and academic library Educational Gaming col= lections, 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/richa= rd-james) has been teaching and organising chess for children since 1972. B= etween 1975 and 2006, Richard ran the highly successful Richmond Junior Che=
ss Club, whose members included Luke McShane, Jonathan Rowson and other fut= ure 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 t= rivia.

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