MPs from Poland’s parliamentary chess club want to introduce obligatory chess classes in primary schools.  

Chess can stimulate children’s intellectual and emotional development and children who can play chess usually learn quicker,” claims Maciej Karasinski, former school superintendent and initiator of the project.

“Chess game teaches people patience, creative thinking, responsibility for one’s decisions and courage. In Turkey, Russia and the US, where chess are used as a learning device, children show higher abilities at maths and science.  

Karasinski together with MPs from the parliamentary chess club have been collecting signatures under the draft bill on introducing chess classes to schools. If they manage to gather 50,000 more votes, the draft bill will be directed to the Sejm, the lower house, and debated. The club has also sent a petition to the Education Minister on the matter and received a positive answer. (mg)