Chess Improves Academic Performance by Christine Palm - Coursework Example

The author is very categorical in bringing up the point that playing chess helps students to understand different concepts in class. This is very true. For example, an experiment conducted in Marina, CA showed that after 20 days of playing chess, the student’s performance improved dramatically. This is very true. Palm has even managed to convince the readers further by the use of the findings from an experiment that proved positive. In my opinion, the author is right. My performance in the classroom has also been improving considerably because I regularly play chess.

For instance, the author asserts “Similarly, a 5-year study of 7th and 8th graders by Robert Ferguson of the Bradford, PA School District showed that test scores improved 173% for students regularly engaged in chess classes, compared with only 4.56% for children participating in other forms of "enrichment activities” (Palm, 1990). According to my opinion, this is a clear proof that playing chess improves the academic performance of students. In my opinion, Christine Palm has managed to maintain the logic behind this issue.

This is true since I have also experienced lots of improvements in my academics because I have been repeatedly playing chess games. Playing chess has improved my socialization aspects. In addition, I have realized improvements in my academics. For instance, playing Chess has made me improve in subjects like mathematics. Moreover, I have also learned how to reason logically and critically through playing Chess. Playing chess has also made me develop good problem-solving skills. I have also developed good analytical skills through playing Chess. As such, it seems to me that Chess game improves the academic performance of the students as I have experienced. Read More