Chess

A growing body of research shows that chess improves student’s thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as their math and reading test scores. Chess also helps the student's visual memory, attention span, and spatial-reasoning ability. Players actually begin to develop new neural pathways in the brain which help them to reason more effectively. Chess can even help students overcome mental disabilities. And because chess requires players to make a series of decisions, each move helps the student learn to plan ahead, to evaluate alternatives, to use logic, and make sound choices. This then, is more than a game. It is a catalyst for thinking strategically about life’s many choices. Moreover, students generally love playing chess. 

The Newman chess program is supported by Dr. Ebenezer Joseph, one of the best chess players in the world! He is the chess champion of India and has beaten the world champion three times. He has spent much of his adult life training young people to play chess— specifically to help them expand their cognitive capacity and realize greater opportunity. We are thankful to have his regular and intimate involvement with our program such that we may help our students become better, more strategic chess players, and thinkers. 

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