In the city of Port Hueneme, California, a unique chess match brought together two players from different generations. A 106-year-old and a 6-year-old sat down at the chessboard, showcasing the game’s power to unite people across ages.

The Benefits of Chess

Chess is not only a fun activity but also a valuable tool for teaching critical thinking and strategy. For kids, it’s a lesson in slowing down, thinking ahead, and working through challenges. As one young player noted, ‘At first, when I didn’t know how to play, I was like, I can’t do it. And then when you keep playing, it gives you experience and then you win.’

Alexis Minie with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme observed the intensity of the games and appreciated how chess teaches kids to focus on something other than a screen. ‘The strategy that it teaches, the patience that it teaches, and it really just shows you to think three moves ahead in life,’ Minie said.

Chess teacher and author Art Mortell, 86, helps set up chess clubs in the region. He believes chess is a powerful way to teach kids critical thinking, saying, ‘Whoever can think the most moves in the future invariably wins.’ Mortell often asks children if they would rather win and learn nothing or lose and get better, and they always choose the latter.

For older players, chess offers a mental workout, requiring a lot of thought and strategy. John Randolph, a chess player, noted that the game ‘teaches a lot of thought’ and is a valuable activity for people of all ages.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.