After researching the relationship between chess and math for over 10 years, I conjecture that chess is a geometry-based game, which particularly is related to the concept of symmetry. So the way to teach a very young child is perhaps to point out the meaning of symmetry in a practical way, not in a conceptual way. How young can a child learn chess? Often I was asked this question but only found out it is difficult to answer without actually having a conversation with the child or even trying to teach a few simple chess moves then playing a pawn only game. This has to do with a child's cognitive development. Is the child able to follow a set of rules, which to a child is very abstract and perhaps presents no particular meaning to them? For example, a child as young as 5 can play some toys which required to be moved in linear fashion but to the same young child, the moves of a pawn to forward one or 2 squares at the first move and can only capture opponent's piece in diagonal way is not very comprehensible to them.
Why a pawn can only capture in a diagonal way while other pieces can capture in their "regular" way of moves? Why knight jumps but not others? These reasons behind these moves can not be understood by most kindergarteners. This presents a challenge for those who want to teach chess to children as young as 4 or 5 years old.
Often, I was asked by parents why their children could play some puzzle type hands-on activities on their own, but not chess? The reason is that the way of playing chess is very different from some puzzle games. Chess is a game with rules to follow and there is no chance for exploring in hands-on approach like other puzzle-type games. If the rule of making chess pieces moves are not followed then there is no game, there is no compromise. A wrong or illegal move will draw complaints from the opponent. In contrast, most puzzle activities have no serious cause-result effects and there is no competition involved, young child is able to carry out the puzzle task with great margin of errors. This is at least part of the reasons that a child can perhaps play some puzzle type of games, but not chess. Chess requires the rules to be strictly followed with no errors.
The dynamics of chess positions and the thrill of being able to capture opponent's pieces as their "rewards" has fascinated many young children asking for more games.
Is the child able to follow chess rules? If the answer is yes then the child is capable to learn as far as its mental ability development is concerned. The child is ready to accept the concept that a pawn can only take other pieces in a diagonal way however it seems to be abstract to them. This cognitive development is a very important milestone for a young child, it also means that the child is ready to do some work in abstraction that is they might be able to tackle the work of using symbols to do some reasoning or logic work.
At Ho Math and Chess, we have created a Symbolic Chess Language (SCL) which is to serve as a command language to link chess and math so a child as young as 4 or 5 can work on some math and chess integrated problems to help them further develop their high order thinking ability.
The set of workbooks created by Ho Math and Chess is not only to help child develop proficiency in basic math skills, but also intellectually to develop their cognitive ability in critical thinking skill. More information on math and chess research topic can be found by visiting www.mathandchess.com
Frank Ho
Teacher and founder at Ho Math and Chess Learning Center
Frank Ho is the founder of the only international child education franchise dedicated to teaching children math through integrated math and chess. He invented the world's first math and chess integrated workbooks using Geometric Chess Language (Patents applied), Frankho Chess Mazes, and Ho Math and Chess Teaching Set. Math and chess worksheets make the math learning more fun and engaged, as a result, children become more observant in processing iniformation and become more alert when playing chess. In additional improving children's math marks, Ho Math and Chess workbooks are an excellent training tool for for improving problem solving skills and improving memory and brainpower.
More information on testimonials (over 100), sample worksheets, and franchise, please visit www.mathandchess.com.
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