CHESS: A GAME THAT SHARPENS THE MIND

Amilcar Xayiya

@melkardascribe

 

In an academic environment where students are challenged to think critically, manage pressure and perform at their best, the tools used to nurture these skills matter more than ever.

 

That is where the game of chess comes in. While viewed by some as a mere boardgame, chess is one of the most ancient as well as most powerful cognitive exercises that demands concentration, strategic thinking and adaptability.

 

Research by Giovanni Sala and Fernand Gobet, including that of the Frontiers in Psychology organisation, found that chess can help develop critical thinking, memory and focus, helping the academic performances of students.

 

While research highlights the academic benefits of chess, not all players experience these advantages in the same way. One student, Alupheli Speelman, a first-year computer engineering student, noted that despite years of playing, he did not see a direct improvement in his academic performance. “I never really noticed any influence in my problem-solving skills or concentration when it came to academics. I always had to study hard to get good grades.”

 

However, his experience reveals a different side to the game. Speelman explained that chess sharpened his ability to think strategically, even if that thinking was mostly applied on the board. More importantly, it helped him manage pressure and emotions in high-stress situations, stating, “You are forced to handle your emotions, or you won’t play a good game. That training helped me to control my emotions whenever I deal with intense situations.”

 

In contrast, Kabelo Dipere, a first-year BA in Public Governance student as well as an avid chess player since high school, stated, “Including chess in high school as an extracurricular activity helped teach my mind to focus better in academic situations, and it helped me learn how to use strategic methods to execute goals or missions.”

 

From a broader perspective, the skills developed through chess, such as strategic thinking, anticipation and emotional control, closely mirror those required in sport. When asked about the benefits of chess, NWU industrial psychology student as well as basketball player Kwezi Dwenga stated, “Even though some of the benefits, like being more strategic and patient, have helped me with my academics, I’ve applied them more in sports. Whether that’s by being more calculated and conscious of how I move in basketball games or how I handle my emotions in high-pressure games.”

 

All in all, while the impact of playing chess may vary from person to person, the one constant is that chess can have an overall positive mental impact on students, and if the game is taken on long-term, its effects are more prevalent.

 

Mr Speelman and Mr Dipere are in an intense game of speed chess (Source: Amilcar Xayiya).

 

Chess event that happened in May 2019 at NWU Potchefstroom (Source: NWU Puk-Chess Facebook page). 

 

Edited by Isabel Burgers