Chess Is Praised As US Senate Wraps Up

Chess Is Praised As US Senate Wraps Up 
Work Before Recess

By Kristina Peterson, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Aug 3, 2011 | 3:12PM

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Passing a hard-fought deal to increase the country's borrowing limit and reduce the budget deficit wasn't all that the Senate did before recessing on Tuesday--at least for chess players.

Slightly overshadowed by the resolution of the fierce congressional debt- ceiling showdown was the Senate's adoption of a resolution Tuesday designating Oct. 8, 2011, as "National Chess Day."

Introduced by Sen. John Rockefeller IV (D., W.Va.), the resolution recognizes the game as a "powerful cognitive learning tool" and "encourages the people of the United States to observe 'National Chess Day' with appropriate programs and activities."

The measure noted that "many studies have linked chess programs to the improvement of student scores in reading and math, as well as improved self- esteem."

More here.