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Results on international chess studies

Numerous chess school projects and studies involving intelligence, behavior and performance exams have been conducted under different settings worldwide. These studies all exhibit similar results. Intellectual and academic benefits commonly noted in children who play chess are:

  • Improved math skills and visual thinking
  • Improvement of cognitive abilities (abstract, logical and analytical reasoning)
  • Complex problem solving
  • Improved linguistic abilities (ie, reading and comprehension)
  • Heightened perception and concentration levels
  • A general boost in school grades (the grade improvement was significantly higher in students with a history of poor academic performance)
  • Comprehension and acquisition of patience, determination, commitment, and objectivity
  • Children become more self-confident and assertive (qualities that have a positive impact on their well-being and emotional stability)

Studies also demonstrate that Chess has a positive effect on personality and social traits. A study conducted in the US shows how chess helps children suffering from aggressive behavior by decreasing destructive and violent impulses.

Two examples of recent studies in children's chess

One of the latest scientific school chess studies is the four-year longitudinal study of the University of Trier. The results show that chess raises the performance of elementary students when it is included as part of the core curriculum. According to the study, one chess lesson per week is sufficient enough to improve cognitive/concentration abilities and performance motivation. The most notable improvement was seen in the areas of Mathematics and German. Chess not only raises a child's intelligence level but also benefits his/her social development.

Another important four-year study conducted at the New York City School (NYCHESS Program) revealed and reinforced the following results:

  • Chess instills in children a sense of self-confidence and self-worth
  • Chess dramatically improves a child's ability to think rationally
  • Chess increases cognitive skills
  • Chess improves children's communication skills and aptitude in recognizing patterns
  • Chess results in higher grades (partcularly in language and Math)
  • Chess builds a sense of team spirit while emphasizing the ability of the individual
  • Chess teaches the value of hard work, concentration, and commitment
  • Chess makes a child realize that he or she is responsible for his or her own actions and must accept their consequences
  • Chess teaches children to try their best to win, while accepting defeat with grace
  • Chess provides an intellectual, comparative forum through which children can assert hostility (i.e. "let off steam") in an acceptable way
  • Chess helps children make friends more easily because it provides a comfortable and safe setting for gathering and discussion
  • Chess, through competition, gives kids a palpable sign of their accomplishments

Conclusion

These results prove that regular chess playing promotes the development of a wide range of intellectual and social abilities in children. The acquired skills serve as valuable lessons that can be apllied to real life situations. Chess not only develops intellectual skills but provides significant benefits to the general development of children.

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