Page 23 - Blue Valley_Issue 1_2022

TODAY’S CHILD

MATHEMATICAL PROBLEMS

ON THE CHESSBOARD

BY PROF KERSTIN JORDAAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT
THE SOUTH AFRICAN MATHEMATICS FOUNDATION

Image: Michal Vrba, Unsplash

The Netflix television series, The Queen's Gambit, made the accuracy of which is proportionate to the
chess popular again. The narrative plays off in 1950 and method and the efforts of the player himself.
This is thought to improve the empowerment
tells the story of a young orphan girl and her unusual of the player and, consequently, the belief in
his/her own capabilities.
talent for chess. • The chess player becomes mindful of the
need for sustaining attention, directed to both
the simple components of the game and to
the analytic relationship between elements;
laying chess from a young age helps of mathematical value, since value during the attention that is already probably present in the
children develop problem-solving, game is not absolute. In the same way, value in participant, but that the natural environment
Prelationship-building, and thinking skills. life is not absolute. Sometimes players exchange and habits tend to diminish.
In addition, studies reveal that chess players points for an equivalent amount of benefits, • Chess is a fun and fulfilling activity that
develop perspective, have improved memory, which teaches them about the changing nature stimulates children to play more. In other
and increased intelligence. The game deepens of value. This understanding of value can then words, chess gets a ‘virtuous circle’ started. This
focus, elevates creativity, and increases self- be related to different aspects of life." circle can also be instrumental in developing
awareness. Scientists found that the complex good mathematical abilities.
mental flexibility chess demands could help Chess is based partially on a range of
protect older people from dementia. Likewise, it mathematical elements. In essence, it is a game Pepe Cuenca, a Spanish chess Grand Master
reduces attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder that requires players to apply skills that exceed and civil engineer with a PhD in applied
(ADHD) symptoms in children. the mere calculation of variations. Playing chess mathematics, summarises the relationship as
is an application of capability. follows:
Watu Kobese, an international chess master and • Chess encourages thinking skills of a higher-
instructor at Blue Frontier Path Academy, says Researchers have conducted numerous studies order.
that "historically, chess has been looked at as a on the relationship between chess and • Interpretation of positions has a lot in common
sport. But chess is much more than that – it is an mathematics. One such study reveals that chess with mathematical problems.
aid for education. It helps learners understand increases mathematical problem-solving skills • It introduces a coordinates system and
how they can use the concepts from chess in because: geometric concepts (files, rows, diagonals).
their academic and everyday life." • Mathematics and chess are isomorphic fields; • Chess demands continual calculation and
by playing chess, mathematical theories are promotes visual memory and spatial reasoning
"These concepts are revealed through the made less obscure and thus more manageable. skills.
nature of the game, the layout of the board, • A chess player must practise skills like planning, • Chess increases the ability to predict and
and the value of the pieces. Every piece is abstract thought, calculation of variants, expect outcomes.
worth a certain number of points. As players monitoring of strategies, and thoughts that are
exchange pieces, they are calculating points crucial for mathematical abilities. So, if you want to help your child improve his or
using mathematics to gauge the effectiveness • A chess player recognises the triumphs and her mathematical skills, consider enrolling them
of their moves. However, it is not just a question losses as a result of his selections on the board, in a chess club in your area.

BLUE VALLEY NEWS • Issue 1 2022• 21