Should I let my son play chess?

Question

My son's 7 and wants to join the chess club at school, but I am concerned about the effects of a game that promotes killing off your enemy to propser. The worst thing is that the violence in chess is veiled and so this does not show the full horror of killing. I'm afraid my son could become insensitive to such tactics one day. What do you think?

Answer 1

Chess is a game that promotes careful thought and strategy. It is proven to help in other areas of study because you cannot play chess if you don't concentrate. You are reading way too much into what you consider violence in chess. In fact if you know the terminology you do not kill your opponents pieces; you capture them. Let him play chess, the worst that can happen is he will be called a nerd.

Answer 2

Honestly, I'd argue instead that chess teaches quick thinking and the ability to think about actions and their consequences. It's an exercise in planning and adapting plans to changing situations. That there are pieces involved and that they are removed from the board when captured (and yes, it is captured) is rather unlikely to turn your son into a blissfully ignorant killing machine... he may not even realize there is a violent point of view on the game until he looks around in its history and origins.



Let him play. It'll teach him to be competitive while helping him learn a bit about logic. In terms of games he could be playing, chess is one of the most benign and intellectually stimulating.

Answer 3

Seriously you're over re-acting.

I think you might be exaggerating a little there. Of course you should let your son play chess. It's an amazing strategy game that will help him a lot and if he's interested in it then you should definitely go for it.

Answer 4

I would be extremely surprised if a large number of kids who joined Chess Club in elementary school grew up to be violent sociopaths.



Chess teaches important logic and strategy skills, and on top of that, your son will have the opportunity to make new friends who enjoy the same things he does. I think it would be a shame if he weren't allowed to join because of the level of violence you perceive in the game. He'd be exposed to a lot more violence playing capture the flag, laser tag, or almost any popular video game.

Answer 5

Nice joke....not bad...should brush this up and sell the story to some magazine to criticize politics about how they are judging PC games and movies...





Btw. chess is the most brilliant game ever. When kids play it from early years on it sure is beneficial to their intelligence and sense of creativity and logic thinking.



Think there are not many games or sports that can have such a positive effect on a child. Give it a try... =)



be good



Caleb

Answer 6

Are you crazy? It sounds like you were quite sheltered in your youth and that is why you have these absurd theories about chess. Don't do the same thing to your son.



Furthermore, the game is a game of strategy that will help his logical skills. Games like Grand Theft Auto encourage reckless violence, not chess.

Answer 7

I think you have it all wrong. Chess develops lots of skills that will useful to your son as he matures.

It can not in any way be aliken to a video game which engages the player in killing off their opponent.



Talk to the instructor in charge and/or look up the history of chess

Answer 8

You should let your son play chess, its a simple game where thinking is required and it actually helps exercise the mind to think ahead and faster.



As for the whole violence thing that your talking about, its just a game and how they perceive it to be is dependent on how you explain things to them.

Answer 9

dont worry about it.

kids minds dont work that way... its the same as playing any team game in PE class like dodge that kids get out when u throw a ball at them... its not mentally scarring. maybe note the fact that the players come back for the next game so theyre not actually dying if ur that concerned. And if ur boy can win wars by usinghis brain power only like chess then good on him

Answer 10

I think that you should let him play chess, it is a good game that is not violent at all, on the contrary it stimulates the mind and will not impact him in a negative way, let him be a child and enjoy

Answer 11

ok, i am a chess player, and i can safely say that chess isnt violent at all. seriously, how many people think of it as a war game? hed be more subjected to violence through watching a football game. you cant protect him from things that will help him. chess developes the brain, teaches you how to think ahead. dont deprive him of that.

Answer 12

the way you view chess may not be the same way your son percieves the game...for him it is a form of expression and mentally it will develop his analytical skills....see it this way...other parents are pushing their children to join clubs in their school rather than wasting thei time in video games...you are blessed to have an intelligent son, not all people can understand that game and its sole purpose is analization....violence in video games are much more harmful....chess isn't killing you're enemy to prosper but rather learning to protect what has been entrusted to you despite the odds/resources you have...be proud of your son!

Answer 13

I hope this is a joke... Chess builds logic and helps make minds stronger. It is a game that requires thought and planning, not just the ability to push buttons quickly.

Answer 14

This is a good link for downloading Mad Checkers for free: http://j.mp/1pUKaop



it's completely free and it's very fast to install

If you are a true chess game fanatic, then Mad Checkers is definitely an essential application for your vast collection of computer software.

Enjoy it.

Answer 15

Wow never thought of it in them terms before, honestly, I do think your overly analyzing the game, perhaps you should think about all the positives he will gain from playing chess and joining a group. I've included a link for you which informs you of all the benefits for your child.



http://www.gardinerchess.com/testimonials/schooltestimonials.htm

Answer 16

IF youre going to be worried about anything chess related, worry that he will turn into a geek, not that it promotes violence. this might be the most rediculous question i have ever seen. your son will see more violence in a textbook then on a chessboard

Answer 17

C'mon, did you let him play chutes and ladders, even though that promoted pushing people off slides...how about when he wants to play clue, cant let him think its ok to hit people in the head with a lead pipe in the library, ITS JUST A GAME!

Answer 18

i'd keep him locked in a room...you don't want him near chess...or what if his friends start playing checkers? chess is a gateway game.

Answer 19

why are you over reacting??? chess is a strategy game that is useful for developing a childs mind...

Answer 20

Go for it!





Most things on TV are worse than that..it is just a game,he will realize that when they let him play. It wil be fun for him!

Answer 21

Oh dear god. It's just a game. You are seeing too much into a game. Go seek help. Really. You are paranoid.

Answer 22

Um I would say not to worry so much its just a game. Plus its makes you think it will be good excersice for his brain.

Answer 23

You are so over reacting. Poor kid. What else do you think is 'bad' for him? Political correctness gone mad. Chill out.

Answer 24

omg, please you're over thinking.



most of cheese players, i know are freaking smart.



cheese is a very good way for kids to develop logic thinking skills and a good help in developmental process.

Answer 25

wtf???? the kid will not get violent from playing chess!!!!!!