Description What kind of game is chess? Chess is a game in which you try to trap your opponent's most important piece, the king, so that it cannot move. It originated from a game called 'Chaturanga,' which began in India about 4,000 years ago, and the name 'chess' has been used since around 1470. Today, chess is enjoyed by 700–800 million people in more than 170 countries around the world. Known for its outstanding benefits in improving concentration, social skills, math ability, logical thinking, and overall brain development, chess is taught in countless educational institutions worldwide to help students improve their academic performance. In the United States and Canada, chess is taught as a regular subject, and countries such as the U.S., Russia, China, and Israel have adopted it as a core subject in gifted education programs. Chess offers excellent educational benefits while also being deeply engaging and exciting, and because its rules are not overly complicated, even young children can easily get started. Interest in chess is also growing steadily in Korea. In particular, many schools in Korea now include chess as an after-school activity, making it an increasingly familiar recreational activity for children. In the Seoul metropolitan area alone, more than 150 elementary schools are known to offer chess as an after-school program. Chess is a "mind sport" that is played using the mind rather than the body, and it was even adopted as an official event at the 2006 Doha Asian Games and the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. Not long ago, the 2nd World Youth Mind Sports Games was successfully held with around 2,000 participants from 12 countries, and chess continues to expand its reach through various domestic and international competitions. What are the benefits of learning chess? Chess is one of the most popular games enjoyed around the world, and simply playing it for fun can bring numerous educational benefits. Because it builds concentration and perseverance, it can help improve academic performance. The game's emphasis on courtesy and good manners also supports character development, and experiencing both winning and losing helps children learn to manage their emotions. In addition, by responding to the many different situations that arise during a game, children can strengthen their problem-solving skills, and by discovering various ways to win, they can also boost their creativity. These benefits have been backed up by concrete research. A four-year study of about 4,300 elementary school students in Venezuela who learned chess found that their IQ improved regardless of gender or economic background. A study in Hong Kong found that students who played chess improved their math and science scores by more than 15%. In addition, an experiment in Belgium applying child development psychologist Jean Piaget's theories to students in a chess class found that these students outperformed non-chess-playing students not only in cognitive development but also in academic achievement. Chess is especially effective for today's children, who often struggle with heavy academic stress or who prefer shallow entertainment like computer and mobile games over deep thinking. Chess offers a refreshing break from studying, giving children a chance to relax their minds, and playing chess regularly can improve concentration, helping children manage their study time more efficiently as well. What's more, since chess is played between two people, it helps children step away from solitary screen time and discover the joy of spending time together with family and friends. What makes Getting Started with Chess for Kids different? ★ A fun chess textbook that even beginners can easily learn from! ★ Secrets of chess revealed by a chess champion! ★ Clear explanations tailored to a child's level of understanding! ★ Fun illustrations that make even difficult chess techniques easy to understand! ★ 200 practice problems to help build real chess skills! The author of this book, Todd Bardwick, is a chess champion who won the Denver Open Championship for five consecutive years (1992–1996). Having demonstrated outstanding skill in numerous chess tournaments, he earned the title of National Master, recognized by the U.S. Chess Federation. He is also a chess educator who runs a chess academy and has taught chess to many students.