Chess computers at school
The possible uses of chess computers in schools and clubs - support for learning chess in groups
Chess has a long tradition as an educational tool and a source of intellectual challenge. In recent years, the use of chess computers in chess lessons in schools and chess clubs has established itself as an effective method for promoting strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. This article is aimed at school chess teachers and parents of children who are learning chess and highlights the many possible uses of chess computers using the new ChessGenius Pro chess computer.
Cross-national evaluation of the use of chess computers in school chess lessons
The Europe-wide evaluation of the use of chess computers in school chess lessons between the end of 2018 and mid-2019 provided valuable insights that underlined the versatility and effectiveness of this technology. School chess teachers from various European countries were significantly involved in the evaluation and contributed their experiences and insights to the process. All chess teachers work full-time in the profession and the test was conducted uniformly with children aged 6 to 11.
Useful application possibilities
The following situations proved to be particularly promising during the evaluation:
Group games against the computer
The evaluation showed that group games against the computer are an extremely effective method of promoting cooperation and team spirit among pupils. In this situation, the computer serves as a common opponent that enables the pupils to recognize tactical opportunities and look for solutions together: The whole group plays a consultation game against "the electronic beast". The device is operated by the chess teacher. The fact that it overlooks multi-move combinations at the lower levels of play motivated the children to look for tactical opportunities and calculate variations together. With specific hints from the chess teacher, success was quickly achieved. The chess teachers rated positively that the computer motivates the children to play cooperatively.
Optimal differentiation aid in heterogeneous classes
Almost every chess learning group or school chess class is heterogeneous. The learners usually have different levels. While some are still learning the possible moves of the pieces, others can already play safely and keep an overview. As an instructor, the teacher is quickly put to the test at this point: if he focuses on the beginners, the more experienced ones get bored very quickly. Conversely, beginners quickly lose the fun if they cannot follow the lessons at their level.
This is where the use of a chess computer is perfect: either as a reward tool for the children who have already completed their tasks, or with the help of the hint function for beginners, who can find their way into the game and learn their first patterns with the help of the computer:
"The children who worked through the chess tasks set in class the fastest were allowed to play against the computer as a reward. The most advanced and motivated children in an after-school chess group of a maximum of 15 children always got to play. In some cases, the children were allowed to play in pairs, so that one child made the computer moves and the other played against the computer. Although they usually lost, they enjoyed these games because they usually won against other children in their group."
Chess teachers who used the computer in this way rated positively that they were able to concentrate on the slower learners during this time.
Individual training and tournament preparation
Chess computers offer an excellent opportunity for individual training and preparation for tournaments. Students can play against the computer at their own pace and improve their skills in the process. The flexible playing strength of the computer makes it possible to adapt the challenge to the individual performance level and thus create an optimal learning environment. Before tournaments, it is also possible to give the children the equipment on loan to take home. This typically significantly increases the intensity of the training and the preparation time of the individual child.
Use as a referee and teaching aid
The possibility of using the computer as an arbiter proved to be extremely helpful, especially for students in their first and second year of learning chess. As a neutral observer, the computer ensures that the rules are observed and offers explanations for moves that are against the rules, which contributes to a deeper understanding of the game.
For children in their first year of chess, the following approach has proved successful: two children from the group were allowed to play their game on the computer. The device did not act as an opponent, but as an arbiter who did not allow illegal moves and provided an explanation of why a move was illegal at the touch of a button. This was particularly useful for the correct execution of castling. Most of the children found it motivating not to play on a normal board for a change.
"I like the referee mode best. Beginners play against each other and the computer points out their illegal moves. A simple but effective way to free up my time and assist in the classroom wherever needed."
Motivational effect of the devices on the children
The evaluation of the use of chess computers in school chess lessons clearly showed the motivational effect that these devices have on the children. Pupils showed an increased interest and commitment to chess when they had the opportunity to compete against the computer. The challenge of competing against an electronic opponent sparked the students' interest and motivated them to do their best and improve their skills.
"The children loved competing against the electronic beast together."
The use of chess computers in the classroom can help to boost pupils' self-confidence and develop their self-esteem as chess players. The playful nature and interactive features of chess computers encourage students to actively participate in lessons and continuously improve their skills.
"Almost all children reacted to the computer with curiosity. They were otherwise only familiar with electronic play partners from the screen. Many children were very interested in playing against this computer."
The evaluation showed that chess computers are an effective method for promoting strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Students can learn and apply complex strategic concepts and tactical maneuvers by playing against the computer.
"I think it's good when children play with real pieces and not on a tablet screen."
New functions of the ChessGenius Pro chess computer especially for learning chess
The ChessGenius Pro 2024 chess computer has been developed to best meet the needs of school chess teachers and students. With its new functions and features, the ChessGenius Pro 2024 offers an improved user experience and opens up new possibilities for use in school chess lessons.
The new functions of the ChessGenius Pro 2024 chess computer support teachers in heterogeneous classes and enable them to provide targeted support for particularly high-performing or low-performing students. Thanks to the flexible adjustment of playing strength and the option of offering individual assistance, teachers can adapt lessons to the needs of their pupils and create a differentiated learning environment.
Operation is child's play: thanks to a modern menu system and user guidance in dozens of languages, operating the chess computer is no challenge at all.
New functions at a glance:
Simple operation and interactive help options: The ChessGenius Pro 2024 offers move suggestions, display of legal moves and explanations of menu options at the touch of a button to ensure intuitive use.
Realistic AI functions: The computer can resign and offer a draw, which enables a realistic playing experience.
Play against the computer in pairs: Perfect training in small groups is made possible by allowing two players to compete against the computer together.
Referee mode: The computer acts as a neutral referee and ensures that the rules are observed when two players play against each other.
Modern design and improved features: With a color display, modern sound effects, a 20 x 20 cm game board with magnetic pieces and a practical size of approx. 30 x 21 cm, the ChessGenius Pro 2024 offers an optimal playing experience.
Flexible playing strength: The computer's playing strength can be adjusted from beginners to advanced players to provide an appropriate challenge.
Conclusion
Evaluation of the use of chess computers in school chess lessons shows that these devices are not only an effective method of promoting strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, but can also make a significant contribution to student motivation and engagement. The new functions of the ChessGenius Pro 2024 chess computer will further strengthen this positive trend, and the use of chess computers in school chess lessons will continue to play an important role in the future.