I was watching TV the other night and there was a show on how they used chess in a maximum security prison to help rehabilitate prisoners. (NOT that your homeschool is a prison!  :) ) It did make me remember how much my boys enjoyed the game, and how good it was for them. Chess is an ideal wintertime activity for long, cold evenings by the fireplace. It teaches thinking skills, sequencing, and consequences. There is also a lot of history about the game that you could incorporate into school.

Chess originated in Asia. The term chess comes from the Persian word shah, meaning king. At the end of the game when one player has trapped the opposing king, the player announces, "Checkmate," (shah mat is Persian for “dead king”!) Arabs learned the game when they conquered Persia in the 600's and took it back to Europe with them. Benjamin Franklin popularized the game in America.

My  dad taught me the piece moves of chess as a child (and abstract  thinking does not come easily for me). I taught my older son when he was six, and my younger son learned by watching us play. Our neighbor boy learned in just a few after school games. These guys come up with some fantastic defense lines all by themselves!

Why should you bother with this archaic game? Chess is  In chess, you must think out your move before you touch the piece. Experienced players think ahead several moves, and even memorize famous games.

Chess fosters discipline as children sit quietly and adhere to rules.  Listen to them referee their own game: "You touched that piece so you have to move it.” “No, you can't take back your move.” “Sorry, you can't move into check.” “Checkmate! You have to lay down your king!"

After you learn the moves, start playing! Before you know it, you'll be castling and moving en passant!