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An active mind is a healthy mind: the powers of chess

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19.4.20

An active mind is a healthy mind: the powers of chess

19.4.20

Playing chess may seem passé but do not underestimate the power of this age-old game. The original battle of the minds is a board game played across the globe, by the old and the young!

Not only does it provide a distraction, allowing us to connect with friends and family but it is perfect for keeping the brain active.

There’s a whole host of positive reasons to play, from proven benefits to brain function and cognitive abilities to improved memory, and let’s face it, who doesn’t love a little healthy competition!

Have a look at these interesting facts about playing chess and give it a go yourself. There are numerous free online platforms which allow you to play virtually if you don’t own a board.

Both sides of your brain get a workout

Over time, thanks to the rules and technique involved in the game, playing chess will effectively exercise and develop not one but both sides of your brain.

Keep your brain healthy

A medical study of seniors by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine showed that playing chess can actually decrease the risk of dementia and combats its symptoms. Instead of letting the brain deteriorate, keeping the brain functioning at a normal rate, especially with a mind exercising activity like chess, will reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s disease as well as depression.
Stress relief

Research has shown that playing chess can help to reduce stress and anxiety and help to balance the mind. Training your brain whilst helping your body to relax sounds like a win win situation to us!

Up your IQ

Do clever people play chess, or does playing chess make you clever? At least one scientific study has shown that playing the game can actually raise a person’s IQ!

 
Start young

Research shows that playing chess improves a child’s thinking, problem-solving and reading! It’s also a great way to spend time with family members!

Give your problem-solving skills a workout

Chess is a puzzle which revolves around problem-solving!  Your problem-solving skills actually seem to work a bit like a physical muscle, in that the more they are worked, the stronger they get. Soon complex problems which once seemed impossible will be solved in a matter of seconds!

 
Improve your memory

Let’s be honest, there is a lot to remember when learning and playing chess. Both your concentration and memorising skills will be put to the test and as a result, will start to improve!

 
Learn how to play

If you have never played chess, then check out these useful websites to get you started.

https://www.chess.com/lessons/how-to-move-the-pieces

https://www.chesskid.com/computer/play

https://www.sparkchess.com/