The belief that chess promotes critical thinking and problem solving has led to its growing popularity in schools nationally. Currently, half of the US Chess Federation's members are children under 19. Chess is becoming more popular in schools due to the fact that it is a board game of skill and strategy. The children learn how to evaluate which move is best and then they must live with the consequences of their decisions. Chess also teaches children about good sportsmanship as well as how to lose with grace.
Metacognative skills are important in chess.
Children can review their games to see what mistakes have been made. In this way, students can improve their strategy and fine-tune their critical thinking skills. Each player having sixteen men of opposite colors including one King, one Queen, two Bishops, two Knights, tow Rooks, and eight Pawns. Place the chess board between players so that each player has a white square at the right hand corner of the board. White always moves first.