Chess teaches patience.  There is no doubt about it.  When you play chess you must invest yourself into the game, keep your attention on the plan, the goal.  If you play well for two hours and then let your mind wander, make a poor move, you will probably lose.  Most chess players learn that lesson early.

Children have a strong desire to win.  They really don’t like to lose.

Through chess children learn to keep their focus on their goals, becoming more patient in life.  This opens new worlds for them, new interests, new ways to win in many areas.

My husband and I have seen a number of children learn patience over the chess board.  One boy’s mother excitedly pulled me aside one day and shared with me that her son played his father for over an hour after a few lessons with us.  Before that time he would make careless moves and lose interest quickly in the game.  She and her husband were amazed that their seven-year-old son could sit and play well for so long.

Another young boy, about the same age, came to us very fidgety.  He would have trouble sitting still for five minutes, let alone playing an entire game of chess.  However, after a few months, he played consistently well and for an hour or more.  I was so proud when he played in our tournaments!