PhD, Associate Professor I.V. Mikhaylova¹
PhD, Associate Professor A.I. Alifirov^1
1Russian State Social University, Moscow

Keywords: chess, technical and tactical training model, cerebral palsy, combined training technologies, institutional forms

Background. For the last two decades the national health statistics agencies have reported growth in numbers of the inborn cerebral palsy with the associating individual physical and central nervous system (CNS) disorders (Y.F. Arkhipova, 1989; M.V. Ippolitova 1997; K.A. Semenova, 1998) [3]. The national education, health, sports and social protection systems give a special priority to psychological/ educational initiatives to facilitate social integration of the cerebral palsy-diagnosed children. It was in the XX century that chess basics trainings were used for the first time for rehabilitation of children with health disorders [1] albeit it should be emphasized that the education and training methods for children with musculoskeletal system disorders are largely different from the ones for the cerebral-palsy-diagnosed children [5].

Objective of the study was to analyze benefits of a new technical and tactical training model for the chess players diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Methods and structure of the study. An integrated research team has offered and successfully implemented a few beginner chess training models for Class IV Special Schools (for children with musculoskeletal system disorders) within the frame for the Access Pack Social Rehabilitation Program for children with health disorders in the period of 2008-2012. The model testing experiment has been run for three years, with five 5-11-class school students with cerebral palsy sampled for the tests. The sample progress in the technical and tactical training process was rated by a test toolkit offered by CT-ART 3.0 computer chess training software recommended for application by the valid Federal Sport Training Standard for the beginner chess players. The tests included 10 class tasks (‘positions’), each scored by 1 point (10 points in total) and 5 home tasks. The progress tests were run in September and November 2011 and January and March 2012.

Results and discussion. Technical and tactical training may be defined as the key element of a sport training system geared to master the basic chess playing methods, tools and strategies with the planning and tactical capacities. Content and versions of the technical and tactical training system are customizable to the preferred individual game styles and mental and physical qualities and designed to attain the expected anuual training goals and competitive performance standards. The training systems may be intensified and individualized using the modern information, communication and digital training technologies including the chess education and training computer software tools and electronic platforms that have lately evolved into the key educational resource [4]. In the beginner training period the model offers a variety of technical, auditory and visual tools to facilitate and analyze the moves – including the optical/ voice-controlled mice, pre-move options etc. The cerebral palsy diagnosed players may be assisted in the training/ competitive process by special assistants or commutation desks [2]. Given in Table 1 hereunder are the logics of the new technical and tactical training model.

Table 1. Technical and tactical training model methods, tools and versions for the cerebral-palsy-diagnosed chess players

Let us consider the didactic tools of our design for the cerebral palsy-diagnosed children:

1) Chess Planet portal for the practical games in an inclusive education environment, with the services making it possible for the cerebral-palsy-diagnosed players to join the GM’s web-lectures on a real time basis, contribute to the joint solutions using the voic mouse and play matches from any point on the planet;

2) Schematic Thinking digital database allows the cerebral palsy-diagnosed children being trained using digital (English and Russian) textbooks to facilitate progress and versatile strategic thinking capacity at every stage of the chess game by brainstorming methods and efficient memorizing schemes;

3) The new technical and tactical training model for the cerebral palsy-diagnosed players is available on our website chessy.ru in Publications [http://www.chessy.ru/publications/]. Since 2002 the site offers freely downloadable textbooks, teahing aids, study reports and summaries of our long-term training experience.

It should be mentioned that classes for the cerebral-palsy-diagnosed players shall be equipped with robust desks with the necessary rails/ handles, helmets and the body/ hands fixing gear to facilitate operations of the players with musculoskeletal system disorders. Given in Table 2 hereunder are the practical technical and tactical training progress records of the sampled players.

Table 2. Technical and tactical training progress records of the sampled cerebral-palsy-diagnosed players

Table 2 demonstrates great progress of the sample in the technical and tactical aspects, with the peak tested 7 months after the trainings were started, with the significant improvements in the mental, emotional and social health standards of the players.

Conclusion. The new technical and tactical training model for the cerebral-palsy-diagnosed players was found highly beneficial as verified,  among other things, by A.V. Komissarov’ success – he won the champion title in the 2008 World Chess Championship for the people with health disorders with the Russian national team. It should be emphasized that the technical and tactical training model for the cerebral-palsy-diagnosed players may be facilitated when the model is integrated in the following technological system:

– Electronic training methods, tools and versions customizable to the needs of the inclusive education model;

– Technical and tactical training model as such;

– Psychological and didactic support technologies; and

– Combination of the relevant psychological and education progress tests.

References

1. Alifirov A.I., Mikhaylova I.V., A.S. Mahov, M.S. Belov Teoreticheskie i prakticheskie aspekty vnedreniya shakhmat v rossiyskoy shkole [Introducing chess education in Russian school system: theoretical and practical aspects].  Teoriya i praktika fiz. kulturyi. 2018. no. 5, pp. 53-55.
2. Gerasimova S.V. Razvitie poznavatelnoy deyatelnosti detey s ogranichennymi vozmozhnostyami zdorovya na zanyatiyah shakhmatami [Development of cognitive activity of children with disabilities at chess classes]. Fizicheskaya kultura: vospitanie, obrazovanie, trenirovka. 2005. no. 5. pp.. 34-36.
3. Linovitskiy E.P., Panush V.G. Novoe v kompleksnom podkhode k obucheniyu detey s detskim tserebralnym paralichom shakhmatnoy igre [New in integrated approach to teaching chess to children with cerebral palsy]. Fizicheskaya kultura: vospitanie, obrazovanie, trenirovka. 2012. no. 1. pp. 95-100.
4. Mikhaylova I.V., Alifirov A.I. Shakhmaty dlya lits s narusheniyami psikhicheskogo i intellektualnogo razvitiya [Chess game application for people diagnosed with mental and intellectual disorders]. Teoriya i praktika fiz. kultury, 2017, no. 3, pp. 46-47.
5. Safiulin E.M., Alifirov A.I. Vliyanie igry v shakhmaty na funktsionalnoe sostoyanie invalidov [Impact of game of chess on functional status of persons with musculoskeletal disorders].Teoriya i praktika fiz. kultury, 2016, no. 7, p. 52.

Corresponding author: chessy07@mail.ru

Abstract

The study analyzes benefits of a new technical and tactical training model for chess players diagnosed with cerebral palsy; considers the relevant didactic tools, methods and institutional models; and underlines the training and competitive process specifics for this group of chess players. The model testing experiment was run for three years, with five 5-11-class school students with cerebral palsy sampled for the tests. The sample progress in the technical and tactical training process was rated by a test toolkit offered by CT-ART 3.0 computer chess training software recommended for application by the valid Federal Sport Training Standard for the beginner chess players; with the progress tests run in September and November 2011 and January and March 2012.

The study data and analyses showed benefits of the technical and tactical training model for the cerebral palsy diagnosed players. The model offers an efficient integrated training technology with the customizable digital training methods and tools of the inclusive training service; ensures excellent technical and tactical training standards; and effective educational and psychological support with the progress and health tests to trace every variation in the mental and physical condition of the players.