There is increasing support for moves to introduce chess in schools – and in an age when children are growing up in a largely virtual world, it is being seen as a way of developing valuable social skills.

Eldwick Primary School set up a lunchtime chess club many years ago, and headteacher Mrs Janice Kershaw says the weekly session has brought great benefits to pupils in developing social and thinking skills.

The club was initially set up by a parent and continues to be run by parents and volunteers. “We have had some really good chess players who have entered competitions, and that sparks interest with the children,” says Mrs Kershaw.

“On the surface it seems to help concentration. It helps them to strategise and it is also very social, playing games against each other. It’s a nice thing to encourage because the children are working together.”

Mrs Kershaw says she would highly recommend other schools to set up chess clubs.

“I was thrilled with the take-up and the children have not lost interest in it. The interest is continual,” she adds.

Earlier this year, Stanningley Primary School introduced a weekly chess lesson on Thursday afternoons.

The school received chess boards and funding for a chess teacher to come in and teach the game to youngsters for a year.

The project has been so successful headteacher Mrs Jackie Reid is looking at keeping the chess tutor on once the funding runs out.

She says the game has brought great benefits for pupils. “It’s such a good thing to encourage in terms of their thinking skills, patience and perseverance,” she says.

In celebration of the chess project’s first anniversary, the school was recently invited to participate in a chess event at the Houses of Parliament. Two pupils attended, and were invited to play former world champion Garry Kasparov.

Mrs Reid would like to see the game introduced into schools on a widespread basis. “I would love if it every child could learn to play,” she says.

“Chess is seen as something only a few people do, so if it can be made more accessible, all the better. When we started, three children out of 30 had played it, but now it’s opening up to a wider audience.”

Winston Williams has been playing chess since he was at school, and believes the game has great benefits for youngsters, particularly at primary school level.

The Bradford father-of-six recently launched a lunchtime chess club at his daughters’ school and is now looking into setting-up an after-school chess club.

“The game builds up leadership skills; if you are leading an army on a board it’s about management, organisation and so many other things which are not immediately apparent, such as decision-making and risk analysis. This is training for life itself,” says Winston, who is club secretary, coach and team captain at Bingley Chess Club.

“I took up chess in my schooldays and that’s why I know it’s the best time to get into the game, because you’re absorbing so much at that stage of your life.”

Winston honed his skills playing for his school’s chess club. He has now passed on those skills to his own children who are also members of Bingley Chess Club.

“The thing about the game is there are no age limitations – you can be as young as four, or as old as 80 and still play the game. It takes in all ages and all walks of life,” says Winston.