An excerpt from
“Decoding Genius: The Unexpected Lessons of After-School Chess Club”
by Dan Shapiro
Parents are always looking for activities that do more than just keep kids busy, especially during the summer months when routines shift and screen time tends to creep up. One unexpected option is chess. In his upcoming book “Decoding Genius: The Unexpected Lessons of After-School Chess Club”, Dan Shapiro shares how introducing chess to his son led to changes he didn’t anticipate, not just in focus and discipline, but in confidence and the way he approached challenges.
Below is a short adapted excerpt from the book, “Decoding Genius: The Unexpected Lessons of After-School Chess Club”:
Just before COVID-19, Becca signed Harry up for the chess club at his school. At the time, we didn’t think anything of it. It was just something Harry did after school, along with some other activities.
That all stopped during COVID-19 when we were stuck at home. When things started getting back to normal, it was Harry who said, “I think I want to try chess again.”
That small experience had stuck with him. It was enough for him to know what it was and that he wanted to pursue it.
Harry started studying with a chess teacher, playing online, and competing in tournaments. At chess club, he interacted with other intellectually minded kids, built mental skills, and, not least of all, had a lot of fun. Chess really helped him flourish.
While all this was going on, I started getting interested in the game as well. Harry and I played together, both online and over the board. It was fun learning the game right alongside him, and it felt like we were sharing something meaningful.
As I got deeper into chess, I began researching the game and how some of the great players became great. At the same time, watching Harry’s progress made something clear to me.
Being good at chess isn’t about being a genius. It’s about developing a strong set of intellectual skills, skills that anyone can build with time and effort.
Chess can seem intimidating at first, with all the rules and notation, but the learning curve is shorter than most people expect. Players of all levels can benefit from learning and playing.
When your children take cello lessons, you don’t expect them to become the next Yo-Yo Ma. You do it to help them develop a love of music and the discipline of practice.
If you sign them up for gymnastics, it doesn’t mean they are on the path to becoming Simone Biles. They do it to build physical skills, social skills, and the ability to perform under pressure.
Your child doesn’t do the science fair expecting to win a Nobel Prize. They do it for the experience of discovery and the discipline of figuring things out.
In the same way, you don’t have your child join a chess club so they can become a world champion. You do it so they can develop skills like memory, analysis, and focused thinking. These are skills that matter far beyond the game.
I’m not a business coach or a life coach. I’m not even qualified to be a chess coach. But I am a parent who has seen firsthand how valuable this experience can be.
Chess has been enormously beneficial for me and my son, and I think parents should consider it the same way they would any other activity for their child.
About the Author:
Dan Shapiro is the author of “Decoding Genius: The Unexpected Lessons of After-School Chess Club” (coming summer 2026). After seeing how chess helped his son build confidence and decision-making skills during COVID, he set out to better understand the mindset behind the game and what it can teach kids beyond the board. Learn more at DecodingGeniusBook.com or follow along on Instagram (@decoding.genius) and Facebook for updates and additional resources.
