Chess is not just a game; it’s a transformative experience that can shape the minds and characters of children. While online chess has its merits, onsite chess competitions offer unique advantages that can greatly benefit young players.

Last July 15, my two younger children joined the 1st GM Eugene Torre Cup at Robinson’s Galleria.

It was the very first over-the-board chess competition that my youngest child joined. He first learned how to play chess at 4 years old while watching all of us at home playing chess. But he was not yet emotionally ready to join competitions. There were times when he would cry and get angry when he loses via checkmate. So, he just tagged along whenever his older brothers would join onsite chess competitions.

His older brother, Mateo, had been competing in many onsite chess competitions already before the pandemic and he has been blessed to win many of them. This recent tournament, however, was his first onsite chess tournament again since the pandemic lockdowns. This was an answer to our prayers.

During the pandemic, my son, Mateo, also joined some online chess tournaments. But he was not as energized as when he was competing face-to-face.

We’re so grateful that he was able to join again this month and that his youngest brother was able to join him also.

In this blog post, let me share with you ten remarkable benefits of joining onsite chess competitions for kids and why I let my kids join onsite or over-the-board chess tournaments.

1. Skill Development and Mastery:

Onsite chess competitions provide an immersive environment for kids to develop their chess skills and strive for mastery. Facing a variety of opponents exposes them to diverse playing styles and strategies, forcing them to adapt, think critically, and make informed decisions. The competitive nature of onsite tournaments fosters problem-solving abilities and challenges young players to analyze complex situations, instilling confidence and self-esteem through practice and improvement.

Like what their previous chess coaches said, joining tournaments would test their understanding, mastery and application of the lessons they were given.

2. Social Interaction and Networking:

Chess tournaments bring young players together, creating a vibrant community that fosters social interaction and networking. Kids have the opportunity to meet and engage with fellow chess enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds, fostering cultural exchange and broadening their horizons. The shared passion for chess builds lasting friendships and connections, creating a network of support, mentorship, and collaboration.

My boys met some of the kids who are part of our chess club during this recent tournament. They only played online chess with some of them during the pandemic. I’m happy for them that they found other kids who like chess just like them.

3. Cognitive Enhancement:

Onsite chess competitions stimulate cognitive development in children. The game’s complex nature requires intense focus, concentration, and analytical thinking. Regular participation in onsite tournaments strengthens memory, attention span, and problem-solving abilities. The mental exercise of analyzing different moves and predicting opponents’ strategies boosts critical thinking skills, which can positively impact academic performance and overall intellectual growth.

4. Time Management and Decision-Making Skills:

Onsite chess competitions teach kids valuable lessons in time management and decision-making. Players must navigate the pressure of limited time to make well-thought-out moves. This enhances their ability to evaluate options swiftly and select the most strategic moves. Through practice, children develop efficient decision-making skills that, hopefully, they would be able to apply in the various areas of their lives, helping them become better at prioritizing tasks and making informed choices.

This is an essential skill for everyone. We need to make good decisions daily. We also need to learn to make the best decisions given our situations or circumstances. Playing chess provides our kids with this needed practice while having fun.

5. Patience and Long-Term Thinking:

Chess is a game that rewards patience and long-term thinking, and onsite competitions cultivate these qualities in children. Players learn to assess the entire board, anticipate opponents’ moves, and formulate strategies that extend beyond immediate gains. This fosters patience, persistence, and the ability to delay gratification. Kids develop the capacity to consider long-term consequences and make sacrifices to achieve greater goals, which are invaluable life skills in today’s fast-paced world.

Most onsite tournaments have 5 or 7 rounds.

You need patience and endurance to finish all 7 rounds after waking up early to go to the venue and make sure you are not late. We were at the venue last July 15 for over 8 hours not including preparation and travel time.

I want them to learn to dream and set goals by seeing possibilities. Win or lose, they get exposed to possibilities in a tournament. They might lose in the first round or first few rounds but they can still aim to improve and win the remaining rounds. And even if they do not get a medal in one tournament, they can make it their goal to do better in the future tournaments that they would join.

I want my kids to learn that they need to work hard to achieve milestones and get rewards. That there are many other people who are also good and you need to invest in yourself to become good enough to compete at the national or even international level.

Hopefully, they would be inspired by the winners in the tournaments that they joined and they’d dream and make it their goal to become winners, too, one day.

6. Confidence Building:

Participating in onsite chess competitions nurtures confidence in children. As they improve their skills and see tangible results, their self-belief grows. Facing opponents of various skill levels in a competitive setting helps kids realize their potential and overcome challenges. Winning matches and receiving recognition for their efforts boosts their self-esteem and motivates them to continue their chess journey with passion and determination.

Letting my kids join onsite chess competitions enables me to demonstrate to them my faith in them and their abilities. I want them to know that I believe in them enough to spend money and time on these events. I want to show my support to them and their interests. I want them to know and remember that I paid attention to them, to what they say they want, and that I take them seriously. I even make a way for them to have opportunities like joining these tournaments.

7. Analytical Thinking and Problem-Solving:

Chess is a game of analytical thinking and problem-solving, and onsite competitions provide the perfect platform for children to develop and refine these skills. Every move requires careful analysis, weighing different possibilities and considering potential outcomes. By consistently engaging in critical thinking and problem-solving on the chessboard, kids cultivate these skills, which can be applied to academic pursuits, professional careers, and everyday life.

8. Emotional Intelligence, Sportsmanship, Gratitude and Faith:

Chess competitions offer children the opportunity to cultivate emotional intelligence and sportsmanship. They learn to handle wins and losses gracefully, displaying resilience and humility. By engaging in face-to-face matches, kids develop empathy and respect for opponents, as they experience the shared pursuit of intellectual stimulation and friendly competition. These valuable life lessons extend beyond the chessboard, influencing their attitudes towards challenges and fostering healthier relationships in various aspects of life.

I loved how our youngest son, Geordan, did not lose enthusiasm, hope, faith in God and in himself and the will to keep on trying even if he did not score points in the first few rounds. Some kids could not take that kind of experience. But Geordan showed up for all 7 rounds! And in God’s mercy, he gained 2.5 points. That’s why I praised him and congratulated him still. He finished the tournament even though the results were not as desirable as he or we hoped it to be. He was even gracious enough to congratulate one of his new friends from our chess club who won a medal. He was still happy to just compete and have that experience.

I told him that he was still a winner.

During the tournament, I remind them to always pray before the games or each round and ask for God’s wisdom, guidance, counsel and help. I remind them to thank God also after each round that they win because if not for God’s help they would not win.

Same with my middle child, Mateo. He used to win medals and cash prizes in previous chess tournaments before the pandemic. But we paused joining onsite tournaments and even some online tournaments during the pandemic because of other priorities. Topmost was our safety and health. He was still happy with his performance of winning 4 out of 7 rounds. He saw each new round as a possibility to win or improve his ranking. He did not lose hope until the end. But when he didn’t get to be called during the awarding ceremony for a medal, like Geordan, he was happy to congratulate their new friend. That is an abundance mindset and a sign of good self-esteem. Being happy for others, being a good sport and rejoicing with them.

For me, Mateo was also a winner that day.

Winners win first their personal battles. Then, they become ready to win other battles.

I told my kids that day that maybe next tournament they would win a medal already if they practice some more and do their best to apply what their coach has taught them.

I told them that they should still be thankful for the chance to compete and for the experiences that we had that day.

9. Courage, Stress Management and Resilience:

Onsite chess competitions expose children to pressure and stress in a controlled and supportive environment. This experience helps them learn how to manage stress and stay calm under challenging circumstances. Coping with wins and losses, facing unexpected moves, and adapting to opponents’ strategies teach resilience and mental fortitude. Children develop the ability to bounce back from setbacks and approach future challenges with a positive mindset.

I believe that through these onsite tournaments, my kids develop courage, strength as well as emotional and mental toughness.

It takes courage to join a competition where you know you might also lose. It takes courage, strength, and perseverance to show up round after round, esp. if you lost in the previous rounds.

10. Love for Country and Pride as a Filipino

I want my kids to meet people, fellow Filipinos, who successfully achieved great feats like becoming a GM (Grand Master). I want them to be proud to be Pinoys and to dream to represent and bring honor to the country.

During this tournament, we had the privilege of meeting GM Eugene Torre again and have a photo with him. The last and first time that we met him was in a chess tournament in Makati before the pandemic. My 2 older boys joined that tournament and won in their respective age groups.

We’re so glad to see him again now that the boys are older and much taller.

He was so gracious in letting people, kids especially, have photos with him. We, initially thought that we could no longer have a photo with him because the lines were long before the tournament started and even after. Then, just after we finished dinner, I checked the venue again and saw that there were only a few people left talking to him. I asked my kids to rush to the venue again with me. His wife even said that our youngest looks like their grandson also. She liked how our youngest smiled and found him very cute.

GM Torre is a legend in chess. Yet, he is so humble and he does his best to encourage kids to get into chess. I pray that God would grant him good health and long life so he can continue to inspire many Filipinos.

It was exhausting to join onsite chess tournaments. But these events are also wonderful opportunities for our family to bond, make memories and concretely express our love and support for each other. My eldest child who chose not to join this tournament was still with us even if he did not compete.

The benefits of onsite chess competitions for kids are unparalleled. From skill development and emotional intelligence to cognitive enhancement and cultural enrichment, the transformative power of face-to-face tournaments cannot be overstated. By encouraging children to participate in onsite chess competitions, we provide them with an invaluable platform for growth, learning, and the development of essential life skills. Let’s embrace the magic of onsite chess tournaments now that the pandemic is over and watch our children thrive both on and off the chessboard.

If your kids are homeschooled and they like to play chess or you want them to learn to play chess, I invite you to join our chess club called Homeschoolers’ Chess Club PH. I do my best to organize online chess tournaments and meet-ups for the members of our chess club. I’m also planning a field trip this year for our members.