Benefits of Playing Chess: 7 Brilliant Life Lessons

When you think of chess, what do you imagine? Is it a hobby for anyone with an interest, or is it something only “smart people” play? An enjoyable pastime or a deathly serious cage match? Okay, maybe we’re getting out of hand with that last comparison, but the real scoop stays the same: Chess is good for everyone! How good? Take a look at our list of the life lessons and benefits that playing chess has to offer.  

1. Playing chess can improve concentration, focus, memory, and executive function.

Many skills built playing chess are highly transferable to other pursuits. Studies show that playing chess improves concentration and ability to focus. Games are periods of calm, uninterrupted focus, where shutting out distractions is a distinct advantage. Like athletes who narrow their field of vision to the goal posts or the finish line, chess players can learn to edit out distracting stimuli in their environment with practice.

Chess players use both short and long-term memory extensively. They need to remember each move of the game they’re playing and what they plan to do next. That’s not all, though. Chess players memorize complex patterns and strategies in their studies, and sometimes entire games! Regular chess improves both longer-term memory (what happened last year) and short-term working memory (the grocery list).

Executive function is the set of master controls that uses inputs from the brain and environment to make decisions and direct activities. The brain benefits of chess strengthen the partnership between these controls and the input circuits. Better pattern recognition and memory skills make for better decisions. The ability to focus without distractions helps you get started and finish a task.

Additionally, there is scientific support for chess as a therapeutic intervention for kids with ADHD. A 2023 study published by Neilay Krishna Agarwal showed that regular chess training decreased disruptive behavior and increased time spent on task. Adding chess as part of a comprehensive ADHD treatment plan is low risk and can have big rewards.

2. Studying chess can help kids achieve higher academic performance.

The theory that playing chess improves academic performance in children has been extensively studied. Elementary school kids, in particular, have the neuroplasticity and brain health to learn new skills and commit them to memory easily. Does that translate to improved grades? The answer is yes, but it’s a qualified yes. Most students who play and study chess regularly see modest gains in reasoning, test-taking, and concentration. Chess introduces context-independent skills, such as spatial reasoning and analytical problem-solving, that help kids perform classroom tasks.

Working hard and getting good grades can benefit kids in the long run, too. Chess looks good on college applications, even if your kid isn’t a serious competitor. It tells the committee that your student values intellectual exercise and problem-solving. It’s also a pathway to some scholarships. Check out The Complete Guide to Chess Scholarships for more information on chess and money for college.

3. Chess teaches players to persevere, even when things go wrong.

You’re following your strategy, and suddenly your opponent does something you didn’t foresee, oh no! This happens regularly in chess, and it’s great practice for developing some important skills. The ability to persevere through a challenging game builds perseverance. Kids and adults who persevere at an activity like sports or chess often benefit from that determination in other areas.

Chess players also have ample opportunities for problem-solving under pressure. When a strategy doesn't work or you blunder, playing through to the end builds stress management skills and resilience. When children and adults improve their ability to keep going when things get tough, they just might be able to turn those situations around.

4. Chess can stave off some effects of aging on cognitive function.

As modern medicine allows us to live longer, healthier lives, aging and cognitive decline have become greater concerns. Neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s are on everyone’s mind, no pun intended. The old saw “use it or lose it” is actually quite apt in this case.

In fact, a 2003 study titled “Use It or Lose It—Do Effortful Mental Activities Protect against Dementia?” found that any regular leisure activity, such as chess, decreased the overall risk of dementia for people over 75. As the brain ages, the nerves that connect neural pathways begin to die off, and we lose brain mass. The more you exercise those neural pathways, the longer you can maintain them.

Cognitive decline can manifest as memory loss, attention issues, and/or impaired speech and reasoning. The good news is that chess stimulates all those areas, helping to stave off the effects of normal aging as well as symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers advise anyone interested in the benefits of playing chess to start early and play often, before any symptoms of decline appear.

5.    Chess can replace habits that aren’t good for us.

Most of us have spent more time doomscrolling in the past decade than we should. It’s too easy to let the screens capture our attention and passively consume whatever comes up next. If you’re looking for screen-free mental stimulation, chess is a great option. Even if you choose to play online, a game of chess beats an hour on social media.

Why does chess (even computer chess) trump screentime?

• Chess is active, not passive. Players are using memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
• It engages your whole brain! This left- and right-brain activation reinforces neural pathways for logical analysis and the development of spatial awareness.
• Unlike video games, chess doesn’t reset after a blunder. Experiencing consequences is important for practicing emotional regulation.
• The internet and social media target just your dopamine receptors for a momentary lift. This cycle can become addictive! Chess offers a real sense of accomplishment and room for growth.

Chess can be an addition to your good habits, too! Some players like to relax with puzzles before bed (check out books like Practical Chess Puzzles for a screen-free routine) or study with their morning coffee.

6.    Chess tests your emotional regulation.

One of the most important life lessons players gain from chess is in emotional intelligence and sportsmanship. Everyone who plays regularly loses chess matches, even elite players like GM Magnus Carlsen. Those losses can sting, especially after a hard-fought game.

For kids, learning to win and lose with good sportsmanship is a valuable lesson. Life doesn’t always work out. The ability to be gracious and master your emotions comes into play in many situations, from jobs to relationships. By putting their emotional intelligence under pressure in a comparatively low-stakes environment (a game), kids gain better control over their reactions to big emotions.

Moreover, practicing emotional regulation can be valuable at any age. Remaining calm in a tough job situation or crisis is something we all strive for. It’s especially important for seniors, as one thing that declines is that ability to keep emotions stable and appropriate. Seniors who play chess regularly are giving their emotional control a good workout.

7.    Chess contributes to a “growth mindset.”

What does this buzzword mean? According to Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, a growth mindset is the belief that human capabilities and talents are not fixed but can be grown over time through practice, experimentation, feedback, and sometimes failure. Chess is a great example of an activity tailored to the development of a growth mindset.

Most people will not be good at chess when they first start playing, but they will see rapid improvement with study and regular play. This can be objectively measured by ratings or subjectively assessed by, for example, checkmating an opponent for the first time. What comes next is what makes chess a perfect activity for a growth mindset. You can continue to improve at chess for as long as you study and play. Even when ratings improvement slows, there is still something to learn from every game, win or lose. Trying new combinations and strategies is encouraged, and failure (losses) are just a reality of the game. If you’re looking for an activity that can build a growth mindset, chess is the perfect choice.

Conclusion

When is the best time to start and reap all these benefits of playing chess? We say—now! No matter where you are in life, chess has something to teach you. All you need is a chess set (or an online account) and the determination to keep learning and improving. You can certainly become a better chess player—and you might just become a better person, too.