Why chess is more than just a board game

CHESS is an intellectual mind sport which involves strategic thinking.

It is a sport that should be taken more seriously.

Just like other sports, such as basketball, swimming and football, chess also has a competitive flow with hundreds and hundreds of tournaments per year – these are included for both children and adults.

Thousands of participants play competitively to win titles and trophies all around the world.

Many people think chess should not become fully known as a ‘sport’. However, at the parliament reception in 2014, Ms Qureshi highlighted the benefits of chess for children.

She said: ‘The skills involved in playing chess are actually skills that a lot of young people can benefit from learning, especially children who have problems with attention and hyperactivity.’

Many agree that while it doesn't need to be made a compulsory part of the curriculum, chess should be accessible to every child.

However, in England it has been statistically proven that the further north you live, the more engaged and aware of chess you are.

The level of interest should be equalised throughout the country.

Another reason why chess should be taken more seriously in England is because it already has been made an official part of the curriculum in other countries, such as France and Hungary.

This proves that it is worth more than being viewed as ‘just a board game’.

Another benefit of chess is that it does not discriminate: everyone – young or old – can get involved in chess and it is not that hard.

Portsmouth even has its own chess league which is made up of seven different district clubs.

So it really is easy to learn this extraordinary game.

So go on, you will not regret starting chess! MELISSA HAMILTON