How Can Playing Chess Increase Math Skills?

As a teacher, I enjoy many areas of education. I guess that's why I became certified to teach so many different subjects. I love novel studies, music, and math! But of course, I enjoy science and social studies, too! I like to use games and centers to help students learn and manage their own learning. That's why I like the game of Chess. It is an ancient game, and I can understand why it has been around so long. It is fascinating and challenging. When students play chess, they gain a sense of problem solving and strategy. But how can it help students with math skills? Being able to work within quadrants and coordinates,and seeing angles is very important in math. According to (Smith and Cage, 2000) there is a strong correlation between learning to play chess and academic achievement. Having been a chess club sponsor, I have seen great achievement from my former students. Is it because of chess club? I don't know. But I do know those students thoroughly enjoyed learning and playing the game!

Reference Smith, J. P. and Cage, B. N. (2000). The effects of chess instruction on the mathematics achievements of southern, rural, black secondary students. Research in the Schools, 7, 19-26.