CHESS and the Brain
“Screech” Teaches Chess by F&EG Staff -5/2001-
Chess has long been thought of as a game that is too hard to learn, and so, some have avoided it. At long last, a way to learn one of the oldest and most complex games in history has been created, in the form of two videos, making it easy to learn, and fun as well. Actor and chess player Dustin Diamond makes learning Chess fun with an edutainment video that blends comedy and chess instruction in a way which has never been done before.
“Dustin Diamond Teaches Chess” includes highly instructive content, as well as being the first chess video ever to be hosted by a world famous T.V. celebrity. It’s a breakthrough in chess instruction for people of all ages. Where other chess videos are lacking, Diamond fills the gaps and brings chess to the average person. Dustin’s video is so entertaining it destroys the notion that chess is a boring game.
Dustin portrayed the character “SCREECH” on the hit NBC T.V. series “SAVED BY THE BELL” for ten years. Screech was an avid chess player, and the series touched on this subject in numerous shows, including an episode where Screech beat Ex-world Champion Boris Spassky’s nephew in an intense game. Diamond himself is an avid chess player as well, with nineteen years under his belt, and a vast collection of over 100 chess sets and 3,000 chess books.
Saved By The Bell is in syndication in over 100 countries. With a built-in fan base of millions, Dustin has become a household word among kids and adults alike. The whole family will enjoy Dustin’s characters on this new chess video.
For more advanced players, the video also features special guest and Internationally Rated Senior Master, David Gliksman (winner of numerous brilliancy prizes and high-level chess tournaments). David analyzes two of his own high-level games, and answers many questions regarding the ideas behind the moves.
A two-tape set, this four-hour epic retails for $39.95. Produced by Caissa Productions, a one-minute free demo of the video can be viewed on the internet at: www.thegamester.com For further questions you may call (949) 249-1236.
If you don’t use it you lose it. We are constantly reminded to get out and exercise our body to stay in shape. When exercising, we feel the benefits in our health and well being.
Like the rest of the body, if we don’t exercise the brain, it too will get out of shape and not function as well. The benefits of exercising the brain, just like the body, are immensely felt.
It is recommended we do at least one form of brain exercise a day. So how do we exercise our little brains? One method would be to read. Another is the study of logic, or logical exercises. Another excellent way to exercise the brain is to play chess.
Playing chess taps the innermost resources of the brain. The chess player uses long-range thinking and calculations about spatial, and geometrical relationships. Other areas of the brain are tapped into, such as visualization, and mathematical judgments. At the end of a hard chess game, a chess player can feel mentally exhausted, in a good way though. This is similar to what a runner feels after a long race. He is tired and exhausted, but after a rest, his body is stronger, and more capable for other physical tasks later.
In the same way, those who play chess strengthen their brain so much that they are able to perform better and to excel in other intellectual pursuits that require brain power, logic, or thinking.
Numerous studies have shown kids who play chess do better in school and get better grades. They enjoy using their brain and are good at it!
In today’s competitive world, it’s best to have both a healthy brain and a healthy body. So give chess a try and have fun exercising those brain muscles. You’ll be glad you did!
