Chess develops critical thinking in children, says expert

The Platform School, Ipaja, Lagos, has said the knowledge of chess games helps develop critical thinking in children.

Two pupils of the school, Anjola Adekanye, who emerged overall winner and Amir Obe, the first runner-up, participated in the Chess Tourney, organised by Progress Educational Consult.

The director said: ‘‘I will describe our victory as a reward for consistency and focus. We invested our time and remained focused on the competition. Chess has always been part of our curriculum, we run it as a course right from nursery to senior secondary school level, we have experienced teachers who are experts in the game and we developed a comprehensive programme around it.

“We have been going for external competitions and also organised inter-class competitions for students after their examinations. All our students can play chess skillfully and more importantly, chess game helps children in their critical thinking,” Obe said.

He added that their victory in the competition would give them the courage to participate in chess games nationally and globally.

The director said the competition was aimed at developing his students to a level where they would be able to compete globally.

An elated Adekanye, in his remarks, said: ‘‘It is a dream come true to win the Lagos State chess competition. My advice for young ones like me is: if you want to be a champion in a chess game, you need to stay focused and be more meticulous when making moves.’’