The following materials are available from the USCF office. When ordering articles please use the assigned number for quick and easy identification. The first copy of each of these recommended articles is complimentary. Additional copies are available at the rate of 5¢ per page. Please address requests to U.S. Chess Federation, Attn: Scholastic Department, 3054 NYS Rte 9W, New Windsor, New York 12553, (845)562-8350, Ext. 128.

Recommended Articles

#1 - "Chess in Education Research Summary" by Robert Ferguson (1995). A 14-page summary of key chess research.

#2 - "Chess Improves Academic Performance" summary of NY School Chess Program. 1 page.

#3 - "The Importance of Chess in the Classroom"- Atlantic Chess News-1990 (Michael D. Wojcio) Wojcio teaches chess to slow learners in 5 NJ schools and this describes his program and the benefits. 3 pages.

#4 - "Chess and Education" (John Artise) After 2 years of psychological research in chess, Artise found cognitive improvements in memory, logic, observation and analysis, and operant conditioning. 3 pages.

#5 - "The Effect of Chess on Reading Scores" by Stuart Margulies, Ph. D. 13 pages.

#6 - "Teaching the Fourth R (Reasoning) Through Chess." (Robert Ferguson) A 1979 project teaching the gifted (grade 7-9) in Bradford Pa. Statistical "proof" that chess increases thinking scores. Also, includes description of teaching program. 4 pages.

#7 - "Chess Legislation" by Roz Katz. New Jersey did it, you can too. 14 pages.

#8 - "Chess Makes Kids Smart" (Anne Graham-PARENTS-Dec 1985) Urges parents to introduce their kids to chess and quotes work of Pete Shaw, Jeff Chesin, Bob Cotter, etc. Good to show to administrators. 3 pages.

#9 - "A Guide to Scholastic Chess" (Dewain R. Barber and USCF) A guide to starting a chess club. Very practical. 33 pages.

#10 - "Chess Makes Kids Smarter" (Dr. Gerard J. Dullea) 1 page.

#11 - "Chess as a Way to Teach Thinking" (Diane Horgan) 4 pages.

Supplementary Articles

The following articles may be of use if you are pursuing in-depth research in certain areas. Copies are available at the rate of 5¢ per page.

#12 - "Metacomet School Chess Project" (Barbara Blackwell) An extensive program detailed, involving a chess coordinator, curriculum developer, and instructors. Specific lessons detailed and expected outcomes listed. Primarily worked with 1st graders. 1984 work of 5 previous years. 10 pages.

#13 - "Craig Hill School Lesson Plans" (Herman Bernhardt) Interesting. 8 pages.

#14 - "Chess as a Classroom Tool" (Lev Alburt) Handout. 2 pages.

#14a - "Chess Textbook to Aid a Teacher" (Lev Alburt) Handout. 2 pages.

#15 - "Can Chess Improve Thinking, Social and Organizational Skill in Learning Disabled Students? (Carol Ruderman). Chronicles work with bright high school students with adjustment problems, and also learning disabled kids 9-14. Social and emotional progress was demonstrated. 4 pages.

#16 - "The Social Pedagogical Significance of Chess" (B. Gashunski) After a general introduction he concentrates on academic successes of some Russian programs. 8 pages.

#17 - "Checkmates" (Susan Elan-Fairfield County Advocate, March 20, 1989) Deals largely with Mr. Jovanovic and the Dalton kids but also deals with the growing popularity of chess with young kids. 4 pgs.

#18 - "Chess a Subject Taught at School" (Isaac Linder-SPUTNIK-June 1990) Chess is on the curricula in nearly 30 countries. Brief survey. 2 pages.

#19 - "The World of Youth Hobbies: Chess" (NV Krogius and B.S. Gershunksi.) A translation of a 1987 Soviet Pedagogics Magazine article dealing with specific skills chess develops that are used elsewhere (selectiveness, discipline, objectivity). 9 pages.

#20 - "From Street Kids to Royal Knights" (Jo Coudert-Readers Digest- June 1988) The work of Bill Hall in an East Harlem ghetto, and their trip to Russia. 6 pages.

#21 - "Washington State Bill" (1985) To establish a mental sports competition and research commission. Key section vetoed. 11 pages.

#22 - "Chess and Cognitive Development" (Joan Christiaen - translated for MACA) A 65 page study loaded with statistics and bibliography on the benefits of chess to cognitive development in Belgian children. (Piaget tests used)

#23 - "Commission for Chess in School" comments from an international meeting. 4 pages.

#24 - "Chess and Education" (Russell Potter) A Bibliography of 11 pages. Useful.

#25 - "School Chess Handbook" (RV Mahon-Chess Federation of Canada). Very useful on basics such as what you need to know to start a club. 22 pages.

#26 - "Children and Peace: Report by FIDE to UN" (Naciso Rabell Mendez). Emotional speech but contains summary of research. 6 pages.

#27 - "Race for the Mind" (Bill North) Appeal for a course in chess analysis in the schools by the chairman of the Santa Clara Chess League. 5 pages.

#28 - "Chess Expertise in Children" (D. Horgan & D. Morgan) 33 pages.

#29 - "Chess and the Humanities" Papers at conference in Lincoln, Neb., May 1978. 3 pages.

#29a - "Chess Contributions to the Understanding of Human Cognition" (Sara E. Goldin-Carnegie-Mellon Univ.) 7 pages including bibliography.

#29b - "Chess as Education: Character Assassination or Life of the Mind" (Tim Redman) The first 2 pages are charming but seem to knock chess; the rest is solid on benefits, particularly on Frank's Zaire study. 6 pgs.

#29c - "Global Community: The Phenomenon of Postal Chess" (Helen Warren) Covers history, mechanics, and the character of players and how they benefit from postal chess. 9 pages.

#29d - "Chess and the Transformations of American Values" (Troy L Armstrong) This study indicates that changing American attitudes toward leisure will bring chess into more prominence. 6 pages.

#29e - "Some Demographic Aspects of Chess" (Arpad Elo) A brief history of chess and a statistical study of which countries currently have heavy participation. 13 pages.

#29f - "Chess and the Federal Government" (Bernard Hagerty) Suggestions for getting money from the NEH and the NEA. 6 pages.

#29g - "Chess and the Search for Freedom" (David Stevenson) Urges Tal as a role model. Seems to say little. 6 pages.

#29h - "The Social Functions of Chess in Yugoslavia and in America-A Comparative View" (Michael Spangler) In Yugoslavia, chess is much more closely integrated into society, physical conditioning is more stressed, and the chessplayer's disposable income is twice as great. 10 pages.

#29i - "Chess is for Heavies: Images of Chess in Detective Fiction"(Frank Blaha & Marge Cathcart). 10 pgs.

#30 - "Using Chess to Promote Self-Esteem in Perceptually Impaired Students." (William Levy -Hopatcong Schools for NJ Dept. of Education) 93 pages of tests and worksheets in a detailed program. (teachers guide)

#31 - "Chess in the Classroom, an Answer to NIE" (prepared for MACA) A massive document of 57 pages containing a challenge to NIE claims of the non-transferability of chess skills by Adrian de Groot, a critique of another study by Harry Lyman, The Philosophy of Karl Popper as annotated and illustrated on the chess board, and 2 key experiments- the Christiaen one mentioned above and A. Frank's experiment in Zaire in 1973-74.

#32 - "Chess and Aptitudes" (Albert Frank) Part 1 item F of "Chess in the Classroom, an Answer to NIE" 89 pages.

#33 - "The Effect of Learning to Play Chess on Cognitive, Perceptual and Emotional Development in Children"(Steven Fried & Norman Ginsburg) The effect of chess training on 3rd and 4th grade children in the 3 areas mentioned in a middle class Brooklyn elementary school. 18 pages.

#34 - "Chess Gives Hope for Our Youth." (The Saratogian in Saratoga Springs) 1 page.

#35 - "Educators Using Chess as a Tool of Development" (David Kibbs) 1 page.

#36 - "Intelligence and Chess" (Rafael Tudela) 2 pages.

#37 - "How to Develop Experts" (Diane Horgan) 1 page.

#38 - "Competition, Calibration, and Motivation" (Dianne Horgan) 7 pages.

#39 - "This Game Might Make You Smart" (Dianne Horgan) 3 pages.

#40 - "Chairman of the Boards" (Dan Sorenson) Youngsters from Tucson, Ariz. achieve success. 2 pages.