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Today’s Child





                      MATHEMATICAL PROBLEMS


                               ON THE CHESSBOARD





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

























































            The Netflix television series,                          laying chess from a young age helps children
                                                                    develop problem-solving, relationship-building,
            The Queen's Gambit, made chess                     Pand thinking skills. In addition, studies reveal that
            popular again. The narrative plays                 chess players develop perspective, have improved memory,

            out in 1950 and tells the story of a               and increased intelligence.  The game deepens focus,
            young orphan girl and her unusual                  elevates creativity, and increases self-awareness. Scientists
            talent for chess.                                  found that the complex mental flexibility chess demands
                                                               could help protect older people from dementia. Likewise,
                                                               it reduces attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
                                                               symptoms in children.
                                                                Watu Kobese, an international chess master and instructor
                                                               at Blue Frontier Path Academy, says that "historically, chess has


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