If chess can teach young people how to plan their next move in the game, can it also help them plan their next move in life?
For mental health professionals, supervisors and coaches working with young people, finding effective tools for engagement and personal growth is always a challenge. But what if using chess as a tool could provide a structured, engaging and deeply reflective way to help young people navigate life’s complexities?
This was the vision of Akos Vizsolyi and behind his initiative at the Budapest Institute of Correctional Education, where chess was introduced as a tool for self-discovery and reintegration. Over three sessions, young residents—many with no prior chess experience—began to see connections between the game and their own lives. They learned about patience, consequences and the importance of thinking ahead.
Akos is a mental health professional, coach and supervisor. He teaches supervision and believes that chess is an effective tool for helping people develop complex vision to approach problems from multiple perspectives. In his work, he uses chess analogies and links chess to real-life issues to highlight the valuable skills it teaches.
Read the summary of his project from Hungary:
This project raises important questions for professionals who support young people in challenging situations:
- Could a game that teaches strategic thinking and self-discipline help young people develop these skills in real life?
- How do you currently help young people reflect on their decision-making and could chess provide a new approach?
- Beyond the game itself, what other structured activities do you use to build life skills in young people?
