By Engr. Cesar L. Castillo
Think Free

CHESS truly fascinates millions of youngsters all over the world. Chess is a great educational tool, which it is part of the school curriculum of Russia, United States, Singapore, Brazil and several other countries. It is a great character builder for all it gives children self-confidence and determination to excel.

Children naturally want to belong to a peer group. To gain entry, they must show they are at least equal to others in the group. Sometimes, they do this by means of physical conflict. Chess, however, provides an intellectual battlefield: the younger who craves acceptance can demonstrate his/her worth via mental accomplishment.

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Chess teaches children something basketball or boxing does not -- (1) you and only you are responsible for your moves, (2) you make a mistake, you pay for it, (3) before solving a problem, make sure you understand what the problem is, (4) strike from your strength, not from weaknesses, (5) plan your moves, do not just jump in, (6) study how other people have encountered similar problems and how they went about solving it, but also keep your creative senses sharp - you might come up with an even better way of proceeding, and (7) finally map out a strategy to fulfill your plan and follow it through.

Surprising as it maybe, chess playing helped many others to develop their character and personalities.

"Chess playing formed my character," confessed former world champion Dr. Alexander Alekhine. Also a retired chess grandmaster and a German business executive Helmut Phleger said, "I learned logical and objective thinking and developed responsibility, I acquired will power and tough-mindedness."

Through the game of chess, chess players develop foresight, learn to judge any situation properly, and learn to be continually cautious in their decisions.

"It is not some kind of thoughtless pushing of pieces on the chessboard," stressed our own Asia's first chess grandmaster Eugene O. Torre in his lecture in chess. "It is concentrated thinking and it is different from other sports. The game forces both players are of equal strength. There is nothing accidental or hidden in the game. The one who thinks better wins. And it is also of high educational value."

Therefore, by playing the game of chess, children will develop not only independent thinking but also self-discipline, responsibility and will power to attain his/her goal.

My purpose in writing a chess column is to address the popularity of the game of chess to grade schoolers and to grassroots level of the society. We believed our chess club, the General Santos City Chess Club, will achieve through media dissemination of information.

ISOLANI: Department of Education Memorandum Circular dated January 8, 2009, approved by Honorable Secretary Jesli Lapus, the inclusion of Chess in school curriculum for elementary and secondary education this coming school opening on June 2009.

Also, chess experts/masters of General Santos City Chess Club are front liners to teach and train to be recommended by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Central Mindanao.

For chess tutoring which includes lectures, clinic, exhibition and personal development (moral development) of chess, contact: Engr. Cesar Laureta, chess columnist, lecturer and trainor, President, Chess Players Action for Unity and Solidarity Association-Socsksargen @ cell number 0917-715-5793