Sit With It, Solve It: How Chess Builds Perseverance in Children
21st November 2025
In an age of instant answers and quick fixes, teaching children to pause, think, and persevere has never been more important. Chess offers exactly that. At its heart, the game is a quiet celebration of grit: sitting with a challenge, exploring possibilities, learning from mistakes, and persisting until a solution emerges. Every move invites children to slow down, focus, and trust that patient thinking leads to progress.
That is why events like the Coast Junior Classical Chess Tournament, recently hosted here at BMIS, matter so deeply. Over one hundred students from across Mombasa and Nairobi came together to compete in this rated tournament, bringing with them not only their skill but also their determination. Across the two day event, we watched young players wrestle with complex positions, recover from unexpected setbacks, and show admirable sportsmanship—true examples of what it means to ‘sit with it, solve it.’ Congratulations to our own BMIS chess players who took part: Iviani, Adanna, Jasmine, Aaryan, Phillippe and Peter. Special mention to Aaryan who came 2nd in the U12 boys and Jasmine who came 1st in the U12 girls. For these students, the tournament was more than a competition; it was a powerful lesson in resilience, strategic thinking, and confidence. As we continue to champion holistic education at BMIS, chess remains a remarkable way to help children discover that perseverance is not just a skill—it is a mindset.
And sometimes, all it takes is one thoughtful move.
