New Jersey Statutes Title 18A. Education 18A § 35-4.15

a. chess increases strategic thinking skills, stimulates intellectual creativity, and improves problem-solving ability while raising self esteem;

b. when youngsters play chess they must call upon higher-order thinking skills, analyze actions and consequences, and visualize future possibilities;

c. in countries where chess is offered widely in schools, students exhibit excellence in the ability to recognize complex patterns and consequently excel in math and science; and

d. instruction in chess during the second grade will enable pupils to learn skills which will serve them throughout their lives.