The Life-Long Rewards of Chess

There is no doubt that chess has a beneficial effect on mental development. The developmental benefits of chess for children and adults have been proven by many studies and experiments. Let us summarise the accumulated observations on what chess develops in humans.

Logic and Thinking

During the game, your brain is trained all the time. In your mind, you go through different moves in search of the best one. The search for options gets faster over time, and each new level helps you develop your thinking skills.

Memory

During a game, a chess player calculates many variations by having in their position clear in their mind. Professional chess players can play the whole game with their eyes closed, calculating each move in their mind. Memory is further developed when a chess player learns openings (the game beginning).

Mindfulness and assiduity

You could be leading the whole game, but if you relax just for a moment, you lose your advantage! It is essential to remain vigilant and concentrate throughout the game.

Planning

When playing chess, you always plan 2-3 moves ahead, and this habit is reflected in your daily life. For example, I wake up in the morning and automatically calculate how to get things done most efficiently.

Imagination

Thinking and working the mind, develops imagination and fantasy. After all, there is a reason chess is considered not just a sport, but as an art in its own right. A fertile imagination is the basis of creativity.

Time management

There are three chess types: classical, action and blitz. In classical chess, each opponent is given 2 hours, then half an hour active chess followed by a 5 minutes blitz. If you don’t manage to do it in time you lose. That is how chess teaches you to manage your time, which is an important factor in schoolwork and in employment.

Stress tolerance

You will prepare for a tournament for months. Some tournaments are held once a year and before you win once, you lose. After such a conditioning, difficulties at school or at work are easily overcome.

Competitiveness

A tournament where hundreds of chess players take part. Where one defeat takes away the gold and determines the best player.

Work capacity and stamina

During home training, you develop your tactical vision and positional awareness. During a tournament, you have a huge workload. A semi-professional chess player spends about 4-5 hours on one game, 2-3 hours on preparation, and between 9 to 11 rounds in a row.

Will and Character

Like other sports, chess develops your character and willpower. A new dream is born in you. You learn to reach it, learn to bear the blows and to not give up.