Does chess improve the mind?

Have you ever noticed how chess is often associated with intelligence?

I noticed this interesting implication and i did some looking into it. Indeed is does improve our minds in many areas and ultimately improves our intelligence. So there is some thing to it after all.

I also generally believe it is an advantage to start learning as early as possible because of these many great benefits it can give you.

Here is an article that goes into it better then i could. So have a read and please by all means, give me you're point of view on this interesting topic.

http://www.iqtestexperts.com/iq-chess.php