Chess: Non-Digital Format
The traditional board game, Chess, has a fixed set of rules that can be obtained from the instructions provided inside of each boxed game or by simply searching online for game instructions. The game consists of several components:
- Two players are required to play the game
- A square checkered grid board
- Two sets of sixteen pieces (a white set and a black set. Each player has one king, one queen, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns).
Chess: Digital Format
The digital format of Chess is very similar to the traditional board game version. The rules are pretty much the same. There are several differences in the game components depending on the format. The digital format still uses the grid-board that shows up on the screen. Each game piece still follows the same rules for moving and “checkmate”. However, since the players can not physically pick their pieces off of the board, these pieces have to be manipulated by clicking and dragging the computer mouse over the pieces he/she chooses to move.
Comparison of two formats: digital vs. non-digital
The format of the game should be considered when you are developing your goals for your students. The teacher can refer to Prensky’s list to aid him/her in deciding if the game format is a good match for the students (i.e., Is the game played at twitch speed vs. conventional speed?, Is the game process parallel vs. linear?, Is the game text based vs. graphic centered?, etc.).
NON-DIGITAL
According to the United Stated Chess Federation, the traditional, non-digital Chess game is over 1500 years old. Chess was viewed as a game that inspired “social and intellectual development”. Opponents would play together for hours on end and even use Chess “time” as a means to spark intimate relationships (http://main.uschess.org/content/view/7326/28/). It was a game that simply required two willing participants with leisure time to spare. New players of the game would sit and watch more seasoned players or learned the rules of the game as they went along.
The traditional, non-digital Chess game has fixed rules that are played in an orderly manner. Although the game is extremely safe, there is a huge competitive factor. The players are actively pursing the goal of “Checkmate” and are often entertained by the multiple strategies that allow various means of completing the game.
DIGITAL
While the traditional Chess game is often thought of as a great pastime, the digital version of Chess provides many opportunities that are not evident in the traditional game. I was able to find a link off of www.chess.com/play that specifically focused on Chess for kids. This website was called www.chesskids.com. On this site, the parent or teacher is able to open an account that he/she is able to monitor. The websites has a series of videos available for the children to watch to help them learn how to play from Grandmaster Chess players. The videos offer techniques on how to beat the computer, important piece positioning, and the website even avails free articles on how to improve your chess play strategies. Once the child has learned the rules and is ready to play, he/she is able to pick the level of difficulty of the game (beginner, intermediate, advanced). The child can find a Chesskid friend and invite new friends to join. This digital format actively promotes the formation of social groups via an “instant message” format. The child can also join a multitude of Chess Clubs that have various interests (i.e., all kids living in Hawaii can join the HI Chesskids Club).
This digital format of Chess appears to be a very safe way for children to engage with other children of different cultures from all over the world. The entertainment factor is clear with children having the opportunity to win “trophies” every time they win against an opponent. These trophies are collected in the child’s personal trophy “room” where he/she can access them whenever he chooses by a click of the mouse. Also, while the object of the game remains to get the opponent’s king in “check” towards “checkmate”, the digital format automatically informs the child when this has occurred.
Comparison: Interaction
- Communication between/among players during the game play
There is a huge difference between communication amongst players during the digital game and during the non-digital game of Chess. The non-digital game only allows two people to play the game. Therefore, unless someone else is in the room while the opponents are playing, the only interaction will be amongst the two players.
The digital version of Chess however, allows other players to Instant Message each other during the game. The player is also allowed to visit Chess Club forums and chat on the forums (on a different pop-up screen) while still playing the original digital Chess game.
- Cooperation between/among players
The non-digital game of Chess requires cooperation between players. If a player is unwilling to play the game, the game is essentially over. The player wanting to continue to play is left trying to find another opponent willing to take the other opponent’s place or starting a game anew.
However, if a player chooses not to cooperate in a digital format, the child can look through the Friends list and ask another person to play. If there is no one available there, he/she can search for someone on the forums, or even make a general request for ANYONE to join in on a new game. Unlike the traditional format, all of this can occur in a matter of minutes.
- Engagement to the games
With the non-digital Chess format there can be some outside distractions that can cause a player to disengage in the game, such as television or a phone call. However, for the most part, the game can continue as long as the two players are actively amused and wanting to play the game.
The digital Chess format poses some interesting problems. With so many possible things happening at the same time (i.e., instant messenger, forum chats, New Friend invites, television, cell phone text messages, etc.), a player has the possibility of many simultaneous distractions that can disengage a player from the game.
- Motivation to play the games
The players involved in the non-digital Chess game format have to provide their own motivation to play the game. Unless the players are involved in a formal competition or tournament, the motivation to play the game must come from within.
The possibility of winning a trophy collection, or seeing your screen name come up on a recent winners list, are one of several motivating factors to play the digital Chess game format. I can imagine some children going on the computer merely to see which of their friends are currently online. The digital format provides motivation to play the game as well as motivation to access the website (without actually having to play).
I find there are benefits to both the digital and non-digital formats of Chess. I was very impressed by the visual videos, not only describing, but showing the children how each piece moves on the grid-board and what moves are/aren’t allowed. The online format has many eye-capturing graphics, cute slogans, and it is set-up in a child-friendly web environment that children can easily access. Children can also apply what they learned on the videos to how to play Chess the traditional way. There is no reason why a player can’t have the option of choosing to find an opponent online or to challenge mom/dad at a good ol’ fashioned board game of Chess at home.
