Vidalia Heritage Academy Students Learn Chess

August 14, 2015: Students from Kindergarten through 8^th grade will begin learning how to play Chess in an ongoing effort to educate each student not only in the core subjects, but also in other non-conventional ways. Mr. McCormick explains, “It has been proven that learning Chess will help students in areas such as developing critical thinking skills, visualization, and focused planning. Studies have also proven that chess has the ability to increase a student’s IQ and standardized test scores substantially. Learning these skills will help our students not only in the classroom, but in life.” Vidalia Heritage Academy introduced the game to students at the Upper School during the previous school year and found many students thrived while playing. Students began to participate in Chess Tournaments in southeast Georgia and quickly were placing and winning tournaments—many times against adults! The Chess program, under the guidance of Jim Beall, will begin in elementary by teaching the fundamentals and basic strategies of the game. “I am excited to have the opportunity to introduce VHA students to the game of chess and helping lead the Scholastic Chess Team. I will be using the Step by Step learning system officially acknowledged by the Dutch Chess Federation and used in schools in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.” says Jim Beall.

The chess club continues to meet and is looking forward to competing in additional tournaments with the US Chess Federation.