Posted on: 16/12/2024Latest News
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Posted on: June 29th 2021
Whitmoreâs Very Own Chess Kid
Congratulations to Erik in 10RSK, who has shot up the ChessKid app ranks to become the 32nd strongest player out of 33,000 students nationally. Erik has played over 500 games since he signed up to the ChessKid app and has achieved an impressive rating of 1,484.
“I really enjoy it,” says Erik. “The app is helpful because you can practise different openers and situations which you wouldn’t be able to playing in a real game. It sharpens your mind.”
The staff at ChessKid make regular chess lesson recommendations, suggesting puzzles students might like to try and Erik has already attempted over 1,500. Matt 
Piper, the Director of Online Delivery at ChessKid, is very impressed with Erik. “He’s head and shoulders ahead of anyone else in terms of activity. He played 787 games, winning 509 of them, and attempted 902 chess puzzles.”
Through tailored tuition programmes on the ChessKid app, students progress through ability levels, constantly improving their game. Online tutors provide bespoke advice to individual players based on their skill and knowledge—so it’s like having a personal, professional chess tutor always on hand.
“It’s helpful to play against someone who’s matched to my skill level. I’m learning new ways to trap the King into a corner, and because you can play games faster with the chess bot than with a real person, you can get some quick games.” (Charley 7HRB)
Chess boosts your thinking and strategy skills. It is a game that can be played whatever your academic level and students who struggle with school can often excel in chess. The memory and concentration skills that are gained through chess play have a positive effect on students’ performance in other areas of school life, and all students can benefit from the edge that chess gives them. Erik feels ChessKid has helped him improve his school work.
“It’s got me more inclined towards maths because of the logical aspect of chess and I can apply it to maths. There are many patterns. If you play sports, it improves your tactics. If you’re artistic, you can view different angles. Chess can teach you resilience. And along the way, you meet many people.”
The library is still signing up students to ChessKid, so let us know if you’d like to join. Who knows, you might play against Erik one day!
