Thanks to the commitment and dedication of Carlos Sánchez, an enthusiastic volunteer at the Foundation, the Chess Club was formed with the collaboration of the Technical Educational Institution, El Pital de San José de Saco - Juan de Acosta campus. The first class included 20 students who actively participated in this initial project, which laid the foundation for the “MP Chess Club” workshop, which will be offered to other educational institutions.
Chess, beyond being a recreational activity for people of all ages, is an effective tool for cognitive development in students. This sport contributes to the structuring of clear thinking, facilitates agile problem solving, enhances decision making, promotes efficient analysis, increases concentration, and strengthens visual memory. Likewise, chess is recognized for promoting planning, rigor, and mental order.
Several studies, including one conducted by the University of Tübingen in Germany, indicate that playing chess activates both hemispheres of the brain: the left hemisphere, involved in identifying pieces, and the right hemisphere, responsible for recognizing patterns and moves. This comprehensive activation encourages both rational and creative thinking, improves memory, attention, and problem-solving skills, and contributes to increased brain plasticity and cognitive reserve.
Education in Colombia is actively integrating chess as a pedagogical tool to develop cognitive skills (logic, concentration, memory, problem solving) and socio-emotional skills (respect, teamwork, patience), boosting academic performance, especially in mathematics and reading, and fostering social inclusion, with initiatives in several regions promoting it as a cross-curricular subject that prepares students for life, supported by government and private efforts.
Consequently, the Foundation established the goal of promoting interest in chess among children, actively involving their families in the process. To this end, the necessary resources will be made available to carry out a basic series of workshops, designed as a starting point to encourage continued chess practice and promote the many benefits associated with this game.
