There are many studies that substantiate the value of chess in the schools. Chess is a challenging game that sets youngsters on the path to thinking strategically. It provides an intellectually stimulating and rewarding activity, and it teaches discipline, concentration and planning. The analytical thinking needed for chess gets young people ready for the same kind of thinking they'll use in reading, writing, and arithmetic.

According to a recent study conducted by New York City-based psychologist Stuart Margulies, Ph.D., some children aged eight to 14 raised their reading scores by as much as 20 percent as a result of playing chess.

For years, school children in the former Soviet Union, Belgium, East Germany, Zaire, and other countries have been taught chess as a way of improving basic reasoning as well as math and verbal skills. Almost half a century after the Soviets, chess is being introduced formally in many public schools around the U.S.

The United States Chess Federation (USCF) believes in many ways one is never too young, or old, to learn chess. It has found children as young as preschoolers react favorably to the game. One way to teach chess is on the computer. Chess MatesĒ, from BrainstormĒ, a division of Interplay Productions, teaches children the fundamentals of chess and its in-depth strategies in a fun, lively fashion.

Chess Mates, the only children's chess software program officially endorsed by the USCF, was designed to teach children nine and up all the moves and strategies of chess while developing logic and problem solving skills. Highly colorful and animated for short attention spans, Chess Mates features Wigby, the spirited magical wizard, as the students' mentor and guide throughout the program. In addition, entertaining chess pieces come to life to teach the student each piece's role in the ancient game of chess. Chess Mates teaches chess to first time players in a lighthearted way with ten levels of game play and an in-depth strategy tutorial.

Learning chess on a computer can be particularly valuable for children whose parents don't play the game. Computerized chess is interactive, fun, and even helps teach children computer skills.(NAPSI)