Mind Matter
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
This is an extract from my Introduction in the front of the book. I am not sure if the whole introduction should be mentioned or just this part? "The formula for deciding on a move: 1) We scan the board and the position of pieces Visually/Spatially to be viewed from both sides of the board. Therefore, categories of moves are available altogether for both sides of the board. 2) Now we begin to develop a collection of moves that are available strategically. 3) Decision on making a move is in having a Theory – a system of ideas and observations that are related to each other to justify the decision of the move to be selected. This concludes our three-step process in determining the theory of the move that can be executed. Whenever we ignore this three-step process that concludes the theory, we are most likely going to commit a blunder. The blunder is a move based on an impulse usually followed by a saying "I didn't see that!“ which involved no thought process. So, there are really two adversaries, your opponent and yourself in activating the three steps needed to conclude a move." (partly extracted) Whole Introductioon: "The Cognitive Process of Chess" "The formula for deciding on a move: 1) We scan the board and the position of pieces Visually/Spatially to be viewed from both sides of the board. Therefore, you will see what categories of moves are available altogether for both sides of the board. 2) Now begin to develop a collection of moves that are available strategically, 3) Decision on making a move is in having a Theory – a system of ideas and observations that are related to each other to justify the decision of the move selected. This concludes our three-step process in determining the theory of the move that can be executed. Whenever we ignore this three-step process that concludes the theories to be evaluated, we are most likely going to commit a blunder. The blunder is a move based on an impulse usually followed by a saying, "I didn't see that!“, which involves no thought process. Now there are two adversaries, your opponent and yourself in activating the three steps needed to conclude a move. We begin with a review of the concept of thoughts metacognitively by using the selection of moves available like capture, protect, and run/retreat. This practice of the Pawn Race matches shows how the goal of advancement is achieved through positioning and teamwork. Visual Spatial process needs to be implemented. The categories of moves like capture, protect, run/retreat is also applied in the Face-Off matches before making any decision in executing a move. This application of thought process begins and continues by using these categories of moves as an important tool for continuous thought practice to complete the outcome of capturing free and/or higher value material to reach its goal. A blunder is making a move in Chess that ends up in loss of material (pieces) and/or checkmate. This is usually caused when the metacognitive process is not practiced and/or is not consistent. This metacognitive process helps to understand how this practice is needed for the 3 stages of the game, 1) Opening to set up the foundation in development of material for control of the center squares, for the 2) Middle game for advancement in improving Positioning to transition towards the 3) End game for Positioning of possible Checkmate as well as how to stop advancement of possible Checkmate from opponent. Visual-Spatial learning helps you to perceive the visual information in the environment (chess board and pieces), to represent it internally, to integrate it with other senses and experiences, to derive meaning and understanding, and to perform manipulations and transformations on those perceptions (developing the material for advancement to the opponent’s territory by creating passages by capturing material and/or landing on squares to be in Position for possible checkmate as well as preventing checkmate). It is the first language of the brain." Through Visual-Spatial learning in Chess you can explore and manipulate three-dimensional materials, developing and practicing many different skills simultaneously (e.g., construction, engineering, kinesthetic, math, literacy, social skills). You are also communicating the knowledge of the world, and learning to communicate, process, and manage emotions. Visual Spatial work is a language. Through building you can practice abstract thinking (Metacognition thought processing) in a concrete medium (chess board).
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About the Book
The book has a certain hook. That hook is not just how the game of chess is played but why. Chess is a challenging game mentally if it is approached correctly. I introduce the saying “Think before you move” which is more than hundreds of years old. It is accepted but at the same time the most misunderstood. I offer a snippet on the cover introducing the concept of Visual Spatial learning by welcoming them to Chess where visual spatial learning activates your metacognition thought process. That metacognition thought process is your thinking of theories that leads to a conclusion of a move so your move won’t be impulsive. So the book emphasizes the importance of visual spatial learning concept with the direct teaching of it with two pre-chess type games that displays it. Pawn Race for advancement using strategy based on thought process creating scenarios to win. Different goal of checkmate but similar and necessary means. Faceoff , exchange of material is the object of the game. Very similar means that are in the chess game that are unfamiliar and usually misunderstood. These games helps clarify that. Both are very much needed prerequisites to the actual game of chess.
About the Author
He taught Chess as a class in Middle School at the New York City Board of Education for fifteen years. He coordinated chess clubs and chess teams at two different schools during 2005 - 2011 and 2013 - 2022 that competed locally and nationally. The Frederick Douglass Academy chess team won the 2009 United States Chess Federation U1600 Team Championship. He took a year off to care for his dad, who was suffering from alzheimer. In 2013 he returned to the New York City Board of Education working at John Ericsson MS126 to teach chess as a class and build a chess program. One of his students, Javier Bernal, graduated from MS 126 in 2014. He continued in the College Bound program at Chess in the Schools that also competed locally and nationally. Javier won the 2014 U1600 United States Chess Federation Individual Championship. Javier is currently attending New York University on a full scholarship.
He (Phil Rosado) is retired and currently teaching afterschool chess four days a week in Hoboken, NJ and for the United Federation of Teachers SiBeagle program for retirees once a week.