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Chess is an ideal hobby for many children at the high functioning end of the autistic spectrum. Here are a few reasons why.

• Chess requires a high degree of logical, structured, detailed thought: many children on the autistic spectrum excel at this type of thinking.
• Chess does not require a lot in the way of social skills, while at the same time offering opportunities for children to improve their social skills by meeting like-minded people and making new friends.
• Chess is essentially an individual activity which doesn’t require teamwork skills: but at the same time you can benefit and gain satisfaction by being part of a team representing your school or club.
• Chess is played in an environment with low sensory input. Chess competitions, by their nature, take place in silence, or as close to silence as possible: you won’t find any loud noise and flashing lights to distract you.
• Chess is a game which enables you to go out, visit new places, meet new people, rather than just sitting at home staring at a screen.
• Chess can be highly beneficial to the mental health of those on the autistic spectrum by providing a portal to the outside world.

There is little doubt that Bobby Fischer, arguably the greatest player of all time, was on the autistic spectrum.

A few children on the autistic spectrum will have an exceptional talent for chess and will be able to pick up ‘big chess’ straight away.

But for most young children, ‘big chess’ will be too hard, so we recommend an approach based on minichess. Children will learn chess one piece at a time, one skill at a time. Some will eventually feel confident enough to try ‘big chess’ while others will be happy to continue playing minichess with their friends.

Download our information pack and see for yourself.

Contact us now to find out more about how children on the autistic spectrum can benefit from chess.

Unlike ‘big chess’, minichess is designed to be accessible and beneficial for all children, not just very bright children with supportive parents.

We believe that every child can both enjoy and learn from playing simple strategy games, and that these games have a particular benefit for children whose brains work in a different way.

Minichess is fun, easy and free, and should be a part of every special needs teacher’s toolbox.

Our next series of posts will explain in more detail how both minichess and ‘big chess’ can transform the lives of children with special needs.

If you’re a teacher or a parent please contact me to find out more.

A new version of the download pack has been uploaded with more lessons and other activities.

Latest update: more activities added in the download pack. The ‘play’ page now includes more quizzes and the chance to play a game against a weak computer program.

Please visit our sister site www.chessheroes.uk which has been relaunched recently.

I’ve spoken to teachers from local primary schools who have come up with some great ideas for using MINICHESS.

Here’s a list:

• As a quick activity in early morning or after lunch class time.
• As an activity within Thinking Skills or similar lessons.
• As an activity within maths lessons (some of the activities are specifically maths based and will link up with the maths curriculum).
• Some of the puzzles can be used as curriculum enhancement materials, particularly within maths lessons.
• As an activity for Wet Play.
• As an activity at break and lunch times for children who prefer indoor games and puzzles to running around outside.
• Encourage children to use their imagination and creativity by inventing new minichess games, designing chess pieces, writing stories or poems inspired by minichess etc..
• As a tool for SEND children: there are very many ways in which minichess can help children with a wide range of special needs.
• You can use the more competitive activities to run minichess days or afternoons, perhaps towards the end of term. Competitions could be team based: inter-form, inter-house, inter-year, boys v girls, pupils v teachers, pupils v parents, even teachers v parents.
• You can play minichess matches against other schools in your area: we can explain how this might work.

I’m sure you can think of a lot more ideas that might work in your school. Contact me to let me know and I’ll add them to the list.