@tpr then why math is useful and chess not......
chess can be more useful than math for many people .
Chess has contributed a lot to my way of thinking, and it is more useful to me than any school subject
Ah, it's a similar debate if we think about whether or not music, art and sport should be teached in schools. I think children should learn more than mathematic formulas and foreign languages.
@teerdurchzogen exactly. For example, my US middle school required that people take a music class every year. Either Choir, Band, or Orchestra. Is that bad? I wouldn't say so. No different for chess.
Mandatory is too much I think. School should teach stuff that there is a consensus in our society that are fundamental. I dont object having some schools offering mandatory chess classes, but this should not be unilaterally applied. Parents should have the option to choose.
I just like the idea of a teacher standing next to a board going "And today we'll be learning about the Sicilian Defense and some of its variations, with particular focus on the Najdorf....". I don't know why, but I find that image very funny.
I think that the idea of chess in schools is generally a good idea... I'm interested to see how they would grade students - tests on openings? Tactics puzzles? Playing against other students? Maybe no grading at all?
@JiangoFett: My guess would be no grading. I had mandatory cooking class, mandatory sewing class and mandatory tree-works class; a mandatory chess class does not seem that silly. If it isn't mandatory, you got the problem the kids who opt out aren't the ones who does so to do homework :-).
Chess is a game, it is meant to be fun. Why should that be compulsory? Why should that be more compulsory than darts, bridge, snooker, ball room dancing, boxing, wrestling...?
Maths are useful in themselves, it is the basis for physics, chemistry, biology, economics... Students who do not like it must take some of it to succeed in life.
Instead of an additional opinion on this topic:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/03/201331792224757326.html It's a more in-depth report about chess in Armenia in general and the mandatory chess classes established a few years ago in particular. Interesting read.