Meetings: 

Tuesdays or Thursdays

4:15-5:15

Chess Tournament on January 2019

Why play Chess...

Improved Brain Function and Health. Aside from the heart, the brain is the most important organ in the body. Chess improves the health and function of the brain in several ways. First, playing chess stimulates the growth of dendrites. Dendrites send signals from the brain to other parts of the body and optimize neural communication. Second, chess challenges both sides of the brain. The activation of both hemispheres allows players to respond quickly to various chess positions. Third, studies indicate that playing chess can improve brain function. For instance, a study conducted with Venezuelan children showed chess playing increased IQ. Another study appeared in The New England Journal of Medicine and demonstrated that chess playing decreases the likelihood of developing dementia in players over 75.

Facilitates Motor Development. The movement of chess pieces across the board requires dexterity and motor control. The precise movements help to fine-tune motor skills and can even facilitate rehabilitation.

Eases anxiety. Chess requires concentration. Players often find that this concentration facilitates centeredness and calmness. Playing daily helps to manage anxiety and other turbulent emotions.

Enhanced Critical Thinking Skills. Chess improves the ability to think critically. Players are required to think fast and solve problems as they play. This type of play leads to analytical thinking and develops the ability to anticipate and evaluate future scenarios. In some instances, the development of critical thinking skills led to better performance on standardized tests.

Greater Creativity. Because chess requires extensive use of the brain's right hemisphere, the game enhances creativity. A longitudinal study indicated that chess playing fosters various types of creativity, including originality.