Bringing chess to the masses

[Matthew Battersby]

There is a big surge in junior chess interest at the moment in Wirral. I am trying to catch the mood and push it along in my own way. To this end junior school chess clubs are setting up in Costa Coffee in Heswall on Sat 21 nov 9-1pm. We will be playing customers for money for Children - in- Need. They will be 10min blitz games. We've billed it as Coffee, Cake & Chess Challenge.
The BBC have shown interest and have given 20 tickets to the live show on the Friday 20 nov. So look out for us between 5-30 and 8pm on the North West section of the show.

I've got to say things like this are the way forward. Get the kids hooked not only on the game but the razzamatazz around it. The ones who enjoy chess the most are not always the best players. We have got to get chess away from elite and into masses
Chess needs entertainers. Why not Britain's Got Talent. Blindfold chess playing (God forbid) Mr Morgan Even if they get kicked off the exposure is there. I am trying to set up a fantasy chess league with the kids.They actually have heard of Keith Arkell David Howell etc.
Come on chess people before this game dies a death get it out into the publics face. Its not all about tournaments.

[Jonathan Bryant]

Why not Britain's Got Talent.

Checks Factor

[Matthew Battersby]

cowell v howell?

[Matthew Battersby]

kasparov v button brains v brawn?

[Peter Rhodes]

Hi Matthew,

good post it's nice to see there people care about increasing the level of participation in chess.


I wanted to add an observation that addresses this post and others. The point I want to bring to everybodies attention is that Sports participation is down across most sports. You can do a google of "decline in sport" and find all sorts of people bemoaning this - from NFL to Snowsports. There has been a corresponding drop in intramural sports.

Here is an interesting article.

I personally believe this is a cultural phenomenan. Kids can usually get what they want whenever they want it - and the whole idea of "delayed gratification", putting in work now to achieve something later has been lost on many. I believe kids genuinely want to learn but we've let down an entire generation by giving them the wrong signals. Look at the increase in kids with impulse control disorders and ADHD (even if this was under-diagnosed in the past). Look up Philip Zimbardo and/or Marshmallow experiment on youtube/wiki.


But ye, keep the good ideas rolling but don't become despondent - it's a battle that we are not struggling with alone.

[Matthew Battersby]

hi thanks for the good words. I never get despondant. Ive coached kids for 12 years now and there has been no change in enthusiasm when i get them early. Chess fell off a cliff here cos the adults couldnt be bothered in the schools not the kids. Ive coached all sorts ones with supposed attention disorders, dispraxics,ADHD special needs. I can say I've never met one,not one, if you take the time and pitch it to their interests who dont sit for an hour and play and more importantly learn how to lose. I've never thought it was the kids that have changed its us that have become lazy, we have our own busy lives and sitting down with these kids gets in the way of our own time. I think its the adults who have the problems not the kids. Never listen to a moaner thats my creed. Thank god for people like yourself you keep me going