Want to sharpen your mind and have fun doing it? Consider trying the game of chess. It’s a fundamentally simple game, yet it’s universally known as the ultimate brain challenge. In fact, chess is so praised for its cognitive enhancing abilities, that it’s seen as a positive addition on a college application.
Keep reading to learn more about the surprising brain-boosting effects of chess.
Improve Focus and Concentration
It may be a seated game, but those who master chess will tell you just how physically demanding it is to use that much mental energy. Requiring you to always be five steps ahead of your opponent, you will learn a great deal about mastering focus and concentration.
Due to stress and the amount of mental energy chess requires, professionals will take extra measures to improve their technique. Cognitive enhancing supplements and meditation are common tools for strengthening their mental abilities.
The use of Acetyl-L-Carnitine, an amino acid known for improving memory and learning capacity and PhosphatidylSerine (PS), an important phospholipid that supports cognitive function is common among chess players. You can find both of these powerful nutrients in our popular cognitive enhancing supplement, SmartBRAIN.
Challenge Perspective and Balance the Brain
The best leaders understand the power of perspective. Apparently, so do chess players. Chess is all about strategy, and strategy requires perspective-taking. Want to know how to take down your opponent? You must consider looking at the game from their view of the board.
Consider it the art of science and logic. As a matter of fact, a study done in 2019 found that chess improved perspective taking skills in young chess players. This is partly due to the fact that chess requires an equal amount of logic and creativity. Implementing strategies that use creativity and logic are great for balancing out the left and ride side of the brain.
The left side of the brain is used to recognize visual patterns and possibilities. The right side uses reason and logic to calculate moves. Synchronizing brain hemispheres strengthens creativity along with many other brainy benefits.
Improve Creativity and Problem Solving
Remember, you’re competing against another creative and logical person. Chess asks you to anticipate your opponent changing their strategy throughout the game. To keep up, you must be able to think fast on your feet. This makes chess a great tool for improving our problem-solving abilities.
Chess has been shown to play a role in improving math skills, a process that requires skilled problem solving. The use of creative problem-solving seen in a chess match, gives you a unique ability to approach issues from every angle.
A good chess player understands the importance of brain health, and the role it plays in life. Never underestimate the powerful effects of a game of chess.
