CHESS: A TEACHING TOOL THAT ENHANCES THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRITICAL THINKING

Abstract

Chess is considered an ancient game practiced since the 6th century. Since its emergence, various cultures have initially practiced it as a means of distraction and entertainment. Today, it is possible to observe that practicing it at an early age can aid in the early development of many skills, both cognitive and social, among others. The challenge of 21st-century education poses the question of how to compete with such modern tools that practically incite children and adolescents to procrastinate and develop high levels of laziness due to the exercise of thinking and making decisions. In this order of ideas, an innovative proposal arises that suggests that through play, and specifically chess, the levels of critical development in infants and adolescents who practice it can be raised. Recent research has shown that chess improves, among other skills, the ability to calculate mentally, problem-solving, and abstract reasoning. In addition, chess promotes concentration, memory, and the ability to plan long-term, essential skills in the academic and personal development of students. This article explores how integrating chess into primary education is an effective tool for developing critical thinking in students, providing a detailed analysis of the cognitive and socioemotional benefits this game can offer. Through a comprehensive literature review, we sought to demonstrate that chess is not just a game, but a valuable educational tool that can transform the way children learn and think.