Chess for Educators

This Chess for Educators is an English-language book for teachers, chess coaches and organisers of school activities who want to use chess in a thoughtful, research-based way. Rather than teaching the rules of the game, it focuses on how chess can support learning, planning, decision-making, creativity, resilience and cooperation.

What this book covers

Written by psychologist and chess teacher Karel van Delft, the book brings together research-based insight and practical teaching experience. It explains not only why chess can be valuable in education, but also how to introduce it effectively in school and in everyday work with children.

Here, chess is presented as an educational tool that encourages thinking, responsibility for one’s own moves and learning from mistakes. The book shows how to turn those ideas into real classroom practice, chess clubs and school chess programmes.

Inside the book

This publication addresses the kinds of questions often faced by people running chess activities in schools. It looks at topics such as:

• how to improve the way chess is taught to children,
• the role of talent and how to support different learners,
• working with groups with special educational needs,
• how to talk to parents and school authorities,
• how to present the value of a chess programme,
• whether differences between boys and girls should be taken into account in chess teaching,
• and how school chess programmes work in different countries.

It is a useful read for anyone looking to launch a school chess programme or bring more structure to existing lessons. Instead of focusing on opening lines and diagrams, it keeps the emphasis on teaching methods, organisation and the development of life skills through chess.

Edition details

• Language: English
• Binding: paperback
• Page count: 272 pages
• Subject: chess in education
• Approach: research-based and practical
• Author: Karel van Delft

If you are looking for a book on chess in education that combines research, the author’s experience and practical guidance for working with children, Chess for Educators is a strong choice for a school, pedagogical library or teacher’s own reference shelf.