6 Benefits of Learning to Play Chess (2024)

Chess has been played for centuries, and for good reason. Not only is it fun and challenging, but it also offers numerous benefits for anyone who takes the time to learn and actively play this masterful game. Whether you are a child or an adult, there are multiple benefits when you learn and play chess.

Learn from Masters

We believe the key to a great lesson is an awesome teacher. That’s why we are working with the experts at Rookly to have vetted, celebrated, and supportive teachers that guide you through curriculum to ensure your chess lesson is awesome and impactful.

Improves Cognitive Function

Playing chess requires a great deal of critical thinking, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills. As a result, regular practice can improve your cognitive function, helping you to become more mentally sharp and alert. In fact, studies have shown that chess players tend to have better memory, attention span, and overall brain function than those who do not play.

Boosts Creativity

Chess requires a great deal of creativity and imagination. To come up with winning strategies, players must think outside the box and be able to envision different scenarios and outcomes. This type of thinking can translate into other areas of life, helping players to become more creative problem solvers.


Patience and Perseverance

Chess is not a game that can be won quickly or easily. It requires patience and perseverance to see a game through to the end, and even more so to become a skilled player. This type of persistence can be beneficial in all areas of life, teaching players to stick with difficult tasks and see them through to the end.

Develop Social Skills

Whether you play chess in person or online, you often learn the most from your opponents. You’re also able to improve a number of your social skills in the process, including communication, sportsmanship, and collaboration. Playing chess can also help build relationships and foster a sense of community among players.


A Healthy Form of Entertainment

Our world is filled with screens and technology, and it can be difficult at times to find healthy forms of entertainment. Chess is a great alternative because it doesn't require a screen. It can also be played nearly anywhere, and at almost any age.

Don’t miss out on the classic game of chessin Spring 1 on March 29 (registration opens at 5:30pm), Spring 2 on May 10, or Summer 1 on June 21. It’ll provide you with a range of benefits, whether it’s improved mental skills, creativity, or an avenue to meet new people.

6 Benefits of Learning to Play Chess (2024)

FAQs

Are there benefits to learning chess? ›

It teaches a variety of skills, including visualization, critical thinking and problem solving. Students can then use those skills in their classes, and some studies show students who play in after-school or in-school chess clubs tend to get better grades in math. Flom said chess also helps develop character.

What does chess do to your brain? ›

Improves Cognitive Function

As a result, regular practice can improve your cognitive function, helping you to become more mentally sharp and alert. In fact, studies have shown that chess players tend to have better memory, attention span, and overall brain function than those who do not play.

What skills do you learn from playing chess? ›

8 Critical Thinking Skills Kids Learn at Chess Camp:
  • Problem Solving. In its most simplistic form, chess is quite similar to a large puzzle. ...
  • Abstract Reasoning. ...
  • Calmness Under Pressure. ...
  • Patience. ...
  • Sportsmanship. ...
  • Creative Thinking. ...
  • Pattern Recognition. ...
  • Strategic Thinking.

Can chess help you in real life? ›

Does Chess Help in Real Life? Chess, in many ways, is like food for your brain. It can enhance your concentration levels and develop memory, intuition, and creativity. It can also aid in sharpening the skill of extracting valuable information from a set of given principles.

What happens if I play chess every day? ›

Additionally, chess has been known to manage Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Kids with ADHD who play chess are able to concentrate better and think more clearly. Chess has even been known to help people with neurodegenerative conditions such as Dementia and Alzheimer's.

Does chess raise IQ? ›

Chess thinking often involves a complex, hierarchical structure of problems and sub-problems, and the capacity for retaining and manipulating such complex structures of data concurrently never deviating from the goals, all correlate with having a high IQ. Chess has been shown to raise student's overall IQ scores.

Do chess players have high IQ? ›

However, in general, it is believed and research indicates that top grandmasters usually have very high IQs. A person with average IQ is expected to reach a maximum rating of about 2000 in chess. Strong grandmasters with a rating of around and over 2600 are expected to have an IQ of 160 plus.

Is chess good for mental health? ›

The intense concentration needed to play a game draws the player's attention away from problems and fears, putting them in a state of flow and relaxation. Chess also reduces stress and promotes mental health by raising the brain's levels of dopamine and endorphins, or “feel-good” neurotransmitters.

What life lessons does chess teach you? ›

What Does Chess Teach You?
  • Chess teaches us to keep trying. ...
  • Chess teaches us failures are the stepping stones to success.
  • Chess trains us to seize the day.
  • Chess teaches us it's okay to be weak.
  • Chess teaches us to set goals.
  • Chess teaches us the importance of planning.
  • Playing Chess trains us to think out of the box.
Mar 10, 2022

What is most important to learn in chess? ›

The first thing you should do is learn how to move the pieces and take the other guys pieces. then learn how to avoid getting your pieces taken. Finally, use the tactics trainer and start playing lots of game.

What is the main goal of a chess game? ›

It is played by two opponents on a checkered board with specially designed pieces of contrasting colours, commonly white and black. The objective of the game is to capture the opponent's king.

Does chess increase testosterone? ›

This study found that chess players experienced a significant increase in testosterone levels when playing against a higher-rated opponent. Cortisol, on the other hand, is a hormone that is released in response to stress and can impact cognitive performance, attention, and memory.

Is chess good for ADHD? ›

Chess can also help with the symptoms or severity of several health conditions, including dementia, ADHD, and panic attacks. In addition, playing this challenging game can help you find a sense of flow or improve the effectiveness of your therapy sessions.

Why is chess so special? ›

It provides intellectual stimulation

When you play, both the left and right hemispheres of the brain are activated. Playing chess also improves neural communications within the brain, leading to improved speed and function. On top of all that, playing chess has been shown in studies to significantly improve IQ as well.

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