The Ultimate Extracurricular: Why Chess is the Essential CCA for Academic and Future Success
- AC Global Chess Academy
- Dec 24, 2025
- 3 min read
"The game of chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired and strengthened by it." ♘ Benjamin Franklin, American Polymath and Statesman
In today's competitive educational landscape, parents often seek high-value after-school programmes, known variously as Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) or After-School Activities (ASA). These programmes must do more than just fill time—they need to actively contribute to a child's cognitive development and future readiness. We believe the answer lies in the 64 squares of the chessboard.
Chess is far more than a game; it is an accessible, engaging activity that builds transferable skills proven to boost performance in the classroom and beyond.
Did You Know? The Creative Power of Chess
Did you know that after just four moves in a game of chess, there are over 318 billion possible board positions? This mind-boggling complexity is why chess isn't just a game of rules—it's an incredible workout for creativity, imagination, and innovation. Grandmasters often describe it as "art in motion," training students to see beyond the obvious and invent unique solutions under pressure.
1. The Essential Mental Workout: Skills for Academic Mastery
No CCA/ASA is a better training ground for the mind than Chess. The game's structure directly reinforces the core executive functions essential for achieving high academic standards.
The Essential Skills Developed:
Critical Thinking: Every move requires deep evaluation of consequences, teaching children to look multiple steps ahead.
Strategic Planning: Students learn to break down long-term goals into achievable, sequential steps.
Laser Focus: The intensity of the game significantly improves concentration and attention spans.
Problem Solving: Children continuously face challenges and must devise novel solutions under pressure.
This strategic mental workout leads to stronger performance in subjects requiring logic and spatial reasoning, such as Mathematics and Science.
2. Choosing Your Training Partner: Expertise and Structure
When selecting a chess CCA/ASA, parents should focus on two key areas: the quality of the coaching staff and the programme’s ability to cater to all skill levels.
A. Why Coaching Credentials Matter: To ensure your child receives the highest standard of guidance, look for certified competitive expertise. At AC Global Chess Academy, our dedicated team includes FIDE Masters (FM), National Arbiters, and Arena International Masters. This high level of competitive experience, coupled with instructors who possess teaching/instructional certification, guarantees both competitive insight and effective pedagogy.
B. Programme Scope & Tournament Readiness: A robust CCA/ASA must be welcoming to all. Our curriculum is designed to challenge the student, regardless of experience:
For Beginners: The programme offers a fun, simplified introduction to the board and core strategies.
For Advanced Players: Training focuses on complex openings, middlegame strategies, and endgame theory.
We also pride ourselves on our students’ proven track record of success—from achieving District Team Championships to earning multiple Individual Championship Titles in various age categories. For those ready to compete, we provide optional tournament preparation to guide students to the next level.
Partner with Authority. Build a Champion.
If you are a parent seeking to enrich your child's education or a school administrator looking to install a premium, results-driven after-school programme that delivers tangible academic and competitive benefits, AC Global Chess Academy is your trusted partner.
Contact us today to discuss bringing a championship-calibre Chess CCA/ASA to your school.
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Content strategy by Meraki Word Craft⛵
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