Chess is good, not nerdy
RANDBURG – Chess experts say that chess improves your mental ability, and complements physical exercise.
Two local chess experts discuss the advantages of playing chess, and its connotation of being a nerdy game. Gerhardus van Deventer is a Randpark Ridge resident, and president of Johannesburg North-West Chess. Rudolph Willemse is a Linden resident, and coach of Chess Excellence Victory Park, and Chess Excellence Chilling Thyme, in Randpark Ridge.
They agree that chess improves one’s mental ability. “Chess has been popular for so long because it helps problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, logical thinking, and it helps kids read and write through notation [the movement of pieces on a chessboard],” Willemse says. “It can also improve your IQ.” Van Deventer says that playing chess improves one’s focus, concentration, mathematical skills and memory. It also teaches patience, and that decisions have consequences.
However, they agree that a “nerdy stigma” comes with playing chess, because many people perceive chess and physical sports as polar opposites, and prefer physical sports. “We do compete with physical sports,” says Van Deventer. “In chess you need to be physically fit to sit and play for two hours and concentrate. We should encourage a balance between chess and physical sports.” Willemse says that the nerdy stigma can only be broken if more awareness about chess is created, and people are educated about what it is.
Johannesburg North-West Chess is a non-profit organisation affiliated to Johannesburg Metro Chess and Chess South Africa (Chessa). The organisation runs a school league, and tournaments in areas between Linden (its most Southerly point), Fairland (West), Ruimsig (North) and Bryanston (East).
Details: Johannesburg North West Chess
jnwchess-presindet@jhbmetrochess.co.za or
Rudolph Willemse rudolphchess@gmail.com
l do absolutely concur to the sentiments of the above article.
Through over the years chess has been regarded as a game that can have so many benefits on learning and cognitive development, especially when it is played from a young age. But, children should not be forced. Great job