MJS Chess and Draughts Club
Chess Bitesize!
Chess is one of the world’s oldest and most popular games. Two players battle each other in a game of strategic skill! Each player has 16 pieces, each piece has specific rules on how it can be moved about the board. One piece can only go forwards, another can go in any direction. The aim is to prevent the other player’s king from moving and declaring “Check Mate”.
Draughts (Checkers) Bitesize!
Draughts is also a board game for two players. Each player starts with twelve pieces in three rows along one side of the board, and moves them diagonally with the aim of capturing all their opponent's pieces.
It is game for any age and is an excellent introduction to thinking strategically without having to learn the more complex rules of Chess.
The benefits of playing Chess and Draughts
At Milton Junior School, our Clubs offer opportunities for our students to challenge themselves outside of structured lessons.
Improves decision making
To win, it is important that our students think carefully about their decisions and the consequences for their opponent and themselves later in the game. Moves should be planned but overthinking can stifle an otherwise excellent move! Learning how to best manage time and when to take decisive action are transferable skills for almost every part of daily life.
Builds patience and stamina
Players take it in turns to move their pieces. Our students need to be patient, especially when the player’s next move seems so obvious! Understanding what they can and cannot control and being able to maintain a clear head for the duration of the game, helps to prepare our students for complex situations at school and beyond.
Confidence
No matter how dedicated our students are to their games, they all have to learn how to lose before they can progress! Learning from failure is an invaluable life lesson. Developing the confidence to try again after defeat will prepare our students to take on whatever challenges life has in store for them with humility, grace and a determination to succeed!
Some of our students even bring their own games from home to challenge their friends while they wait for their turn at Chess and Draughts. We love their enthusiasm and it makes us proud to see them interacting and challenging each other, developing social skills as well as critical thinking and problem solving. It is also an excellent way to get them away from screens whether it be video games or the television, not always an easy task in today’s technologically driven world!
If you would like more information about Milton Junior School Chess and Draughts Club, please use our contact form to get in touch.
We are waiting to welcome our future Chess and Draughts Grandmasters!
