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Chess has been introduced into primary school curricula in several countries as a tool for developing cognitive skills beyond the game itself. Advocates argue that regularly analyzing positions and planning several moves ahead strengthens students' capacity for logical reasoning and patience, skills that some studies suggest transfer to subjects like mathematics. Unlike many extracurricular activities, chess requires minimal equipment and can be taught to large groups simultaneously, making it relatively inexpensive for schools to implement. Skeptics, however, caution that the evidence for skill transfer to unrelated academic subjects remains mixed, with some studies showing only modest or short-lived improvements. Despite this uncertainty, many educators continue to value chess for reasons separate from academic transfer, such as teaching students to accept losses gracefully and to concentrate for extended periods without distraction.