People have been playing chess all over the world for more than 1,500 years. As such, it has brought people together to bond over their passion and interest, from different countries, backgrounds and ages. It is a great connector and is good for your health.
Health benefits include:
- Encourages brain growth Playing chess stimulates the growth of dendrites in the brain, which improves and increases the speed of neural communication. It also develops both the left and right side of the brain, which results in more integrated rational and creative thinking.
- Enhances problem solving and strategising Chess requires you to look ahead and plan your future moves. It builds your "what if' abilities, and helps you to solve problems. Strategising over future possibilities and actions is great for development of the prefrontal cortex.
- Reduces risk of dementia Exercising your brain to problem solve in games such as chess can increase cognitive reserve and reduce the risk of dementia. In a study of 75 year olds, those who played chess were less likely to develop dementia than those who didn't.
- Connects people from all backgrounds People connect in person when they play chess, and they can also play virtually on the computer, which is great during the covid pandemic and for people from different countries. Chess clubs encourage sharing of knowledge and socialisation that reduces isolation. It's also great for connecting people of different ages, and it can be played way into retirement years.
- Teaches calmness under pressure Chess is a game that requires patience and remaining calm, particularly under pressure. This is an important skill that translates to other parts of life.
- Helps development from brain conditions and stroke Playing games like chess can help people recover from injuries as it stimulates the brain. It can also help stroke victims develop fine motor skills again.
- It's portable! It doesn't take up much room, packing up a chess board and pieces. You can take it anywhere with you to play outdoors, on holidays or to a friend's place.
“Chess is the gymnasium of the mind.” – Blaise Pascal
For those interested in chess (or not interested, for that matter), watch ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ a fictional series on Netflix, about a young girl who learnt to play chess at an orphanage. It’s a great insight into the world of chess. Who would have though chess could be a spectator sport!