Why Chess Matters
A Parent and Teacher's Guide to the Ancient Game of Kings
Chess can have a profound effect on the educational experience of our students by introducing new skills, called "non-cognitive skills," not ordinarily found in a typical curriculum, which relies heavily on memorizing and regurgitating facts. Non-cognitive skills include grit, determination, patience, self-confidence, problem solving and a host of other qualities that help kids succeed. Why Chess Matters explains how and why chess can help in non-cognitive skills.
Significantly, these same qualities and skills form the foundation of the relatively new field of Positive Psychology, founded by Dr. Martin Seligman in the late 1990's. For example, just one of these qualities is patience. For a parent watching their former fidgety kid sitting still, concentrating on winning a chess game, over a board and opposite a real human, and not a computer or TV screen, is nothing short of miraculous! The book explores other qualities too.
To sum up, the teaching and learning experience, using the elements found in Why Chess Matters, is the best way to introduce people to the ancient game, and infuse skills and qualities not prevalent in other forms of teaching.
Mr. Ashley started playing chess at age 8 on the streets in his hometown of Cohoes, NY. In mid-career, he founded The Sausalito Chess Academy in Marin County, California. Upon retirement, he founded another chess school, The Venetian Bay Chess Academy in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Mr. has a B.A. in Psychology and an MBA from Cal. State University Northridge, and Cal. State University San Francisco, respectively. He spent his career in home fashion bedding and bath, and is responsible for many innovations in the field. He currently resides in New Smyrna Beach Florida where he is actively involved in chess for junior golfers. Megan is a professional golfer from Aberdeen, Scotland with an MBA and BA in Sport Management/Psychology.
She is a full-time professional golfer competing on various mini-tours across the US: NXXT Tour and ANNIKA Women's All Pro Tour. She will be attending LPGA Q-School this August for the second time with her sights set on earning LPGA Tour status. Ben was born in Monterey California April 6, 1989. With both his parents serving in the US Navy, Ben traveled from California to Colorado, Guam, Rhode Island, Virginia, Texas, and finally landed in Pensacola, FL where he went to high school and college.
In 2010 Ben attended the Professional Golfers Career College in Orlando, FL. The focus of this college was to create the next leaders in the golf industry exposing students to every possible career path within the world of golf. Very quickly Ben identified Tournament Operations and Instruction as the path he wanted to pursue. While attending college Ben interned with the LPGA Tour, The LPGA Symetra Tour, The Arnold Palmer Invitational, and the North Florida PGA. After Graduating with honors Ben took over as the North Florida PGA Tournament Director in 2011.
As the North Florida PGA Tournament Director Ben was responsible for many PGA Club Professional Championships, Collegiate Conference Championships, PGA Tour Q-School, Junior Golf Championships, and many more events every single year. Ben has also scored higher than 92 on the USGA Rules of Golf Exam making him a Certified Rules Official. In 2018 Ben was hired by a private company to run an LPGA Symetra Tour Event in Sarasota Florida. This event was the highest purse in the history of the Tour and according to players and LPGA Symetra Tour staff, it had a "Major Feel" to it. Shortly thereafter Ben accepted the role as Director of Golf at Venetian Bay Golf Club in New Smyrna Beach.
Ben now lives in Ormond Beach with his wife Angelina and two kids Jaxson and Magnolia. Ben spends his time with his family dancing with Magnolia, cooking for the family, and of course, playing chess with Jaxson.
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