Could a humble board game improve school performance, play a role in driving Australia's economy and even help prisoners in rehab?

That is the question being investigated by economist and former Liberal advisor John Adams, who is heading a push to make chess a part of the national curriculum.

Mr Adams has previously worked as an economics advisor to Liberal Senator Arthur Sinodinos.

He has now been appointed as government relations director with the Australian Chess Federation and over the next year plans to conduct a research project drawing on a large international body of work into the positive impacts of the game on brain development.

"The Gonski report clearly outlined that the performance of Australian school children, based on the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment, has been in decline since 2000 across mathematics, science and reading," he said.

"The research project will investigate whether chess in schools can assist in arresting the decline in student performance and enhance educational outcomes."

Mr Adams said chess is already part of the curriculum in some countries and he points to anecdotal evidence within Australia that the game is an effective teaching tool.

"In some Australian primary and secondary schools, chess is being taught by full or part-time chess teachers as part of the school's curriculum or co-curriculum," he said.

"I have been amazed at the teachers' stories, particularly the outcomes they say have been achieved from chess instruction and the transformational effects it has had on the children."

Chess a potential game changer

Former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov is considered a trailblazer in the push for chess to enter international education systems.

The Russian national has formed a foundation that aims to bring the game to classrooms across the world.

Mr Adams said his research project would also examine research on whether chess could reduce risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease, help children with autism, assist young people considered "at risk" of crime and play a positive role in rehabilitating criminals.

He said it could also help shape the future of the Australian economy.

"To compete in a knowledge-based and high-tech global economy, Australia will require a workforce that has not only greater skills but greater intellectual prowess based on superior analytical and cognitive abilities."

Government says chess is already embraced

A spokesman for Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne said while chess is not formally part of the national curriculum it is used as a learning tool in many schools.

"Australian schools, therefore, embrace chess as a sport that complements a student's education," the spokesman said.

"Given that schools are able to flexibly include chess as part of the suite of activities offered by their school, there are no plans to formally include it as part of the Australian Curriculum or fund any specific proposals to formalise its inclusion in the curriculum across schools in Australia."

The final policy paper is expected next year.