Playing chess is a pastime for many people across the world, and rightfully so. Chess combines intelligence, skill and strategy into a game where you are pitted against an opponent who is trying to outsmart you at every move. It is a game that has brought entertainment for many people for hundreds of years now, and as such it will remain popular for the foreseeable future. While its recreational purposes are well known across the world, a lot of people do not realise how many benefits come with playing chess.
Chess uses a lot of brain power, as strategy, skill and patience are a combination required for playing well and winning, and as such it is understandable there are cognitive benefits and mental benefits that come with playing the game. Chess is especially helpful to children who are in their crucial developmental stages and as such, playing chess can help to accelerate their development both cognitively and mentally.
Here are some of the lesser known benefits of using a chess board:
Helps to prevent brain disease
Brain disease is one of the biggest issues amongst the population, especially the older generations. Brain diseases cause a variety of symptoms including memory loss, imbalance, slurred speech and a host of others. By actively using your brain, you can help to prevent brain disease in the future. Playing chess is a great way to use your brain, as it involves strategy, skill, memory and patience.
In doing so, your brain has to be constantly in use, which can help to fight the degeneration of cells which is what leads to brain disease. There have been numerous studies done which prove that those who participated in brain engaging activities such as chess were less likely to develop brain disease.
It improves memory
Chess can help to improve your memory, as studies have shown. When playing chess, it is important that you can have a good memory of your opponent’s moves, so that you can try pick out a strategy that they may be playing. You can use this to counter their strategy and try to guess their next moves. Having to always try to keep a vague memory of your opponent’s moves will definitely help to keep your memory game on point.
In doing so, other aspects of your life will be affected positively. Having a good memory is always a good thing and will ensure that your life will be that much less complicated.
It increases problem solving skills
Problem solving skills are necessary within Chess due to the complexity of its nature. With multiple different items on the board and a variety of different moves which can be made, you must keep track of all the situations on the board as well as finding solutions to problems you may get into with your opponent.
Problem solving skills are necessary for chess and will help you in your life too. Being able to solve problems on the go will help you with your career, no matter what career you are in, and can cross over to personal life situations too.
In summary, chess is a perfect game for anyone who wants to use their brain regularly. It provides many benefits in the form of cognitive benefits and mental benefits which can cross over to other aspects of your life in a positive way.
These include improving memory and improving problem solving skills which not only are helpful in life, but also can help to prevent brain disease. Chess is a good choice for anyone.
