Methods and Tools for Teaching Chess in Higher Education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69760/portuni.0110018

Keywords:

chess education, higher education, pedagogy, constructivism

Abstract

This paper examines pedagogical approaches and instructional tools for teaching chess in higher education. Chess instruction in universities can serve disciplinary goals (e.g., sport sciences, cognitive psychology), cross-curricular goals (critical thinking, problem solving), and extra-curricular objectives (wellness, student engagement). Drawing on theoretical frameworks from constructivist and experiential learning, and on empirical literature about cognitive and educational effects of chess training, the paper presents a structured course design, recommended teaching methods, practical activities, digital and physical tools, assessment strategies, and implementation considerations. The aim is to provide instructors and programme designers with an evidence-informed, practical roadmap to develop effective, measurable, and scalable chess courses or modules that align with higher-education learning outcomes.

Author Biographies

  • Kifayet Huseynova, Nakhchivan State University

    Huseynova, K. Head Teacher, Department of Coaching, Nakhchivan State University, Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan. Email: nurv7487@gmail.com. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9716-2459 

  • Aide Novruzova

    Novruzova, A. Head Teacher, Faculty of Arts, Nakhchivan State University, Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan. Email: nurv7487@gmail.com. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1625-2770

References

Gobet, F., & Simon, H. A. (1996). Templates in chess memory: A mechanism for recalling several boards. Cognitive Psychology, 31(1), 1–40.

Gobet, F., de Voogt, A., & Retschitzki, J. (2004). Moves in mind: The psychology of board games. Hove: Psychology Press.

Fine, R. (1965). The Psychology of the Chess Player. New York: Basic Books.

Sala, G., Gobet, F., & Trinchero, R. (2017). More than a game? A meta-analysis of the cognitive effects of chess instruction. Educational Research Review, 21, 1–15.

Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Ericsson, K. A., Krampe, R. T., & Tesch-Römer, C. (1993). The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance. Psychological Review, 100(3), 363–406

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Published

2025-12-15

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Section

Articles

How to Cite

Huseynova, K., & Novruzova, A. (2025). Methods and Tools for Teaching Chess in Higher Education. Porta Universorum, 1(10), 176-186. https://doi.org/10.69760/portuni.0110018

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