In a May survey of over 200 Australian schools, 98 percent said that chess has many ‘soft’ skill benefits in addition to the commonly discussed ‘hard’ benefits like problem solving, mathematical reasoning and spatial awareness, with 61 percent stating that chess had an equal effect on both soft and hard skills. View the survey results .

Decision making (74% rated impact as significant) and self-confidence (51% rated impact as significant) were identified as the soft skills most heavily influenced by chess, followed by resilience (ability to cope with loss or unexpected change), general behaviour and locus of control (the extent to which a person believes that they can control events that affect them).

Respondents also identified other soft skills positively improved through regular chess play, including social interaction, patience and personal communication.

According to Chess Kids creator David Cordover the ‘softer’ skill set encouraged through chess was often overlooked in favour of discussing and quantifying the ‘hard’ benefits.

“But as we know, soft skills are equally important in a child’s development and it is often in this realm where we discover some of the most impressive improvement stories about students,” said Mr Cordover.

“Earlier this month the Philippines announced a partnership between the Department of Education and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines that will see chess institutionalised in public elementary and high schools to encourage a higher level of thinking.

“Across the world we are seeing the broad benefits of chess in education recognised.

“In Australia, we have seen involvement in chess grow by more than 900% since 2002.

“I expect and hope that we will witness the number of students taking part in regular chess grow further so that even more children can benefit from the game.”

When asked to volunteer positive ‘soft’ skill stories, an overwhelming 143 schools responded with positive tales to tell. The following are just a few snippets:

“Our ‘Chess Captain’ has significant learning difficulties that affect reading and writing but he is our strongest Chess player. His self-esteem is significantly increased by the recognition of his skills by all, his role of responsibility and his ability to help others instead of being ‘the helped’.”

“Chess is gradually becoming a ‘cool’ thing to do in schools. Chess is giving the quieter, more intelligent students something which is now seen as an admired skill, when often these students do not shine in the greatly valued areas of athletic competence. This has taken a long time to achieve, but it is finally happening.”

“Chess in our school has bought together students that may not normally interact with one another, thus widening social circle and understanding of others.”

“By learning to take turns and having to comply with the rules and etiquette of the game a student I know has improved in behaviour and attitude to school and life in general.”

“Some of my boys, in particular, who have trouble sitting still for even a few moments in a classroom will sit for an entire lunchtime focused on chess moves. They will even make helpful suggestions to other competitors.”

“K had a very difficult upbringing, resulting in a range of psychological and social issues. He gained self-confidence from his success in chess, and enjoyed sharing his ideas and knowledge with other students. His experience at the National Interschool Finals in 2007 was a highlight as he got to fly on a plane, visit a large city, and experience meeting many great people. He has since gone on to other academic pursuits and has a much brighter outlook on life and how to overcome obstacles.”

“One intelligent, well read but overweight, isolated & friendless girl joined with a group of students playing chess (all boys) and not only became more confident and happy with a circle of friends in a higher year level - she also ended up with a boyfriend! The transformation was awesome from a shy introverted girl to a happy confident young lady who was prepared to stand up for herself and speak out.”