B - Italy - Does chess playing improve math learning? Boruch (2011), “Does chess playing improve math learning? Promising (and inexpensive) results from Italy”, Educ 680, University of Pennsylvania. This study looked at the effect of a 30-week chess intervention on Y4-aged children in Italy. The results showed that achievement in mathematics improved by one third of a standard deviation. It also suggested that children with lower prior attainment showed a greater improvement than those of higher prior ability. Manage Cookie Preferences