IQ

In a study conducted in Venezuela, researchers found that elementary school children who studied chess for 4.5 months showed a significant increase in their IQ. This is because chess helps to stimulate the growth of dendrites in the brain, which in turn improves the speed, quality, and performance of the brain. In other words, the brain becomes more powerful like a computer.

Memory

Improved memory function. Most players will say that their memory has improved since they started playing chess. When playing chess, you must remember moves that helped you win in the past, moves that you have previously tried that didn’t work out well, and the moves that your opponent has made.

Creativity

Higher levels of creativity. Playing chess activates the right side of the brain, which is responsible for creativity. As chess skills grow, so does one’s ability to be creative. There are an incredible amount of possibilities during a game of chess, and there aren’t always clear cut answers or solutions to what move will work best. Players must be creative when coming up with ideas in their minds as to what moves they want to try, and how their moves might change depending on the set up of their board.

Problem solving

Increases a child’s problem solving skills. Every day we face numerous problems and obstacles that require us to use problem solving skills. Our job as parents is to prepare our children to independently solve problems, and the earlier you start focusing on developing these skills, the sooner you will have independent and confident children. Chess encourages creative solutions to solving problems, and requires fast thinking and problem solving on the fly because your opponent is constantly changing the board. Children introduced to chess at a young age are more likely to do better in school, and have higher math and reading test scores.