Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE LAS1097

 
TITLE Learn to Play Chess: The Local History and Application to Day-to-Day Life

 
UM LEVEL I - Introductory Level

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Centre for the Liberal Arts and Sciences

 
DESCRIPTION Within this Unit the participants will learn how to play the game of Chess. A game with a very rich history dating back to around 600 AD, and which developed throughout the years reflecting the world’s historical contexts. A game that has different perspectives from Science, to Art to being considered as a Sport.

The students will learn from scratch how to play Chess, which apart from being an two-player strategy board game, it helps individuals in many other skills including but not limited to, thinking skills, memory, planning ahead, problem solving and creative abilities.

Basic techniques will be introduced, and the students will be able to play a complete chess game with tournament-standard time control. The Unit will include a good number of practical hours to practice the game.

The Unit will also give a basic walk through of the history of Chess, with focus on the history of the game in Malta.

Throughout the Unit, the parallelism of Chess and life will be made, and the application of the skills acquired through chess in everyday life will also be given.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the Unit the student will be able to:
- Describe the basic components of chess, from the chess board to the chess pieces and the chess clock,
- Play a full game of chess applying all rules and using standard tournament conditions including use of the chess clock,
- Writing and reading a game of chess,
- Apply basic checkmate techniques,
- Provide an overview of the history of the game in the world,
- Outline the history of the game in Malta,
- Appreciate the parallelism of chess and life, and how the skills acquired through the game can be applied in life.

2. Skills:

By the end of the Unit the student will be able to:
-Play a full game of chess applying all rules,
- Use standard tournament chess clock,
- Apply thinking skills and thinking process during a game,
- Apply problem solving techniques via chess puzzles,
- Apply strategic planning discipline via a game of chess.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

Kopec D, Chandler G, Morrison C, Davies N, Mullen I D; 1985; Mastering Chess in 21 Lessons; Dover Publications; 133 pages.

Kopec D, Chandler G, Morrison C, Davies N, Mullen I D; 1985; Mastering Chess in 21 Lessons; Dover Publications; 133 pages.

Supplementary Readings:

Grivas E; 2014; Chess Steps Volume A; FIDE; 144 pages.

Grivas E; 2014; Chess Steps Volume B; FIDE; 144 pages.

Brunia E, van Wijgerden C; 2009; Step by Step Method Workbook Step 1; 56 pages.

Brunia E, van Wijgerden C; 2011; Step by Step Method Workbook Step 2; 56 pages.

Brunia E, van Wijgerden C; 2019; Step by Step Method Workbook Step 3; 56 pages.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM2 100%

 
LECTURER/S Colin Pace

 

 
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It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit