Why Learn chess ?
“I have come to the personal conclusion that while all artists are not chess players, all chess players are artists.” – Marcel Duchamp
“I have come to the personal conclusion that while all artists are not chess players, all chess players are artists.” – Marcel Duchamp
There are many benefits to playing chess, for both adults and kids alike. The majority of these
benefits deal with developing and improving cognitive brain functions, including problem-solving,
creative thinking, strategic planning, pattern recognition, and memorization skills.
Also, it helps
to potentially raise IQ levels while teaching sportsmanship and building self-confidence at the
same time. Not to mention, it is so much fun to play!
Now, let’s take a closer look at these benefits below. We will discuss how the game can develop
and improve cognitive brain function in its many forms by exploring each individual point in more
detail.
Chess develops one’s ability to think rationally as well as logically. Players must think ‘outside
the box’, in order to increase their odds at winning the game.
This type of rational thinking
promotes a sense of curiosity and wonder (about the world), which is excellent for everybody,
especially children.
Playing chess not only increases a player’s level of mental strength but also imparts a sense of
self-esteem and self-confidence when one is able to win at such a challenging game.
This skill
goes far beyond the chessboard and builds self-worth that translates into everyday life,
benefitting children, teenagers, and adults.
It has often been said that smart people play chess! Learning the game at a young age has
been proven to significantly raise a child’s IQ level. There definitely seems to be a direct link to
chess skill and intelligence.
Studies conducted over the last 30 years show an increase in
student IQ levels and test scores after less than a single year of systematic chess play!
The average chess game takes 40 moves, lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours!
Each move takes time to calculate, plan and execute.
Children, teens, as well as adults, can all
benefit from learning that patience is indeed a virtue and that all positive things come to those
who wait.
The game of chess involves multiple aptitudes, including problem-solving, analysis, and logic. It
is a game that requires one to think, process, plan, and execute.
A study done between 1990
and 1992 in New Brunswick, Canada demonstrated that when integrating chess games into the
traditional mathematical curriculum, students scored significantly higher marks on
problem-solving tests.
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Concentration and focus are the keys to winning at chess. Paying close attention to each and
every detail of the game is a must.
Chess helps develop this skill in both youngsters and adults,
which is highly useful not only when playing the game but in everyday life situations as well.
It is a well-known fact that chess helps improve mental and memory function. Players must not only remember each move made by an opponent in the game but also determine how these moves can be used to his/her advantage. This is especially good for developing memorization skills in school-aged children.
Creative and artistic thinking is also improved by playing chess, though most people don’t
realize it!
A former study showed that students between the 7th and 9th grade who played
chess regularly scored higher in creativity-based activities than the ones who did not.
Active
chess play engages the right hemisphere (creativity and imagination) as well as the left (logic
and reasoning).
Learning how to stay composed under pressure is greatly enhanced in those who play chess.
Opponents must remain focussed at all times in order to determine the best possible move
before their time runs out!
The capacity to stay cool, calm, as well as collected, no matter what
happens is a life skill that benefits people of all ages.
Recognizing patterns is a skill greatly enhanced through chess play. Players must be aware of
the different moves made and how they will ultimately affect the outcome of the game.
Pattern
recognition plays a vital role in life (especially for children) when it comes to reading texts,
identifying objects, and relating to people.
Preparing a strategy and then predicting the outcome is a key characteristic of chess. Planning
and foresight are important, not only in the game of chess but in the game of life as well!
Being
able to better prepare for life’s difficulties (and foresee possible outcomes) teaches children (and
adults) how to solve problems and face obstacles in productive, creative ways.
Strategy is a crucial component in the game of chess. It requires structured thinking and careful deliberation. People of all ages can benefit from learning this vital life skill, which also aids in other cognitive functions, including problem-solving, pattern recognition, and creative thinking.
The game of chess is highly-strategic and often considered the ultimate thinking game. Players
practice for years to achieve success. It is through both practice and play that cognitive brain
function is developed and improved
It is never too late to learn to play chess. So why not get started today and reap the many
mental and psychological benefits associated with the game. Good luck, fellow gamers