BISMARCK, N.D. - Chess forces its players to think quickly and critically, which are important skills for developing minds.

A Bismarck Public Schools employee wants to share the game with all students, regardless of their economic status.

Chess instructor Todd Wolf has been teaching chess at Will-Moore Elementary for two years and in schools for more than three decades. He says chess is more than a fun pastime.

"Chess benefits the kids in so many ways. Some of them the social aspect of it, because chess is an opportunity to make friends" said Wolf.

"Daily activities start with learning new moves and tricks on chess.com and then it's time to bring out the boards," said fourth-grader Berkley Schettler. "He's really fun, and he helps kids learn about chess. Like, I came to chess Club not knowing how to play and know it's one of my top three favorite games," said fifth-grader Stephaniee Crawford.

" I like my teacher because well every day at chess he teaches us new ways to move and makes me understand chess more better. because the first time I started chess, because the first time I started I was confused, so he made me understand chess better".

Wolf says he hopes his students take away one thing: "Chess creates a community that everybody can belong to, and it doesn't matter whether you're and athlete, honor student. You can have a handicap, I mean anybody can play.

With everyone involved, Wolf says, he'd like to develop a large chess playing community in the Bismarck-Mandan area.

Originally posted here:

Using chess to teach - KFYR-TV