Chess is a game that stresses many skills. Research studies have shown chess can improve reading and math scores among children. In addition, chess teaches several higher-order thinking skills, including critical thinking, cause-and-affect, risk management, visualization, spatial understanding and sportsmanship, among other skills. The game gives adherents a structure to test strategies for success, analyze their merits, and choose the wisest course using the information at hand.
Anecdotally, I can say that the acquisition of these skills enabled nearly all of the chess players I grew up with to make good grades in school and to make good choices in life. And the beauty of all of this is that your child thinks he or she is learning a game!
