A game of chess could conceivably be looked at like a highly simplified version of everyday life. Before we start a game we have a strategy in mind of how we are going to play. Much like when we wake, we have an idea of how the day might go and what we want to get out of it.

One's decisions have consequences for the future both in life and a game of chess. In chess, the decisions we make and actions we take yield results much more quickly, and only affect the outcome of a game. But those hours we spend playing chess are not just ‘wasted’ on a game, they can benefit us in life too. Here are some ways in which chess can improve our lives...

Success in the workplace

Research has shown that playing chess activates the right side of the brain. Since the right side of the brain is responsible for creativity, it stands to reason that the more a person plays chess, the more creative they could become.

Creativity promotes critical thinking and problem solving, allows you to express yourself more, make better decisions, and manage time efficiently. Problem-solving, decision making, and time management are key skills needed to be successful in the workplace. Here is an interesting insight on how chess can help to develop these particular skills.

Chess also helps with focus and remaining calm under pressure. If you lose concentration at the end of a game or when the time is running out, then you may make a mistake that costs you the game. Being able to stay focused and calm under pressure can help with things like meeting deadlines and giving presentations.

Help With Getting A Job

As much as playing chess can help people already in work, it can also be of benefit to jobseekers. This theory is all connected to the psychology of playing chess. The end goal of chess may be to checkmate your opponent, but the strategy of getting there is all important. And before you make your first move, it’s a good idea to have a strategy in mind of what you want to do.

The same thought process can be adopted when looking for a job. Before writing your resume or attending an interview, think about what it is that you want. If you know what you want, and are confident in your strategy of how to go about getting it, then there is a high chance you will.

Enhance Social Skills

Chess can help you to build confidence in yourself. Think about it...you play the game on your own and are solely responsible for the moves you make. If you play well and win then that gives you confidence, and if you lose you can learn a lot about yourself by going away and analyzing your performance.

By self-reflecting, you are better able to understand your strengths and weaknesses, which will help you better understand yourself, and stop worrying what people think about you, By building resilience and confidence, we can be more comfortable in social situations.

Chess can also teach a person humility and how to learn from mistakes. These are important character traits to have to help us form meaningful and lasting relationships. Chess is a game of wins and losses and learning how to be humble in victory and lose gracefully are important lessons the game teaches us.

Chess is a very social game, bringing people of different cultures and backgrounds together all over the world in online forums and through local chess clubs.

Health Benefits

As the saying goes, “an active brain is a healthy brain”. Because chess is a game that doesn’t require a level of athletic excellence, it can be enjoyed by anyone at any age, and you can reap the rewards it brings to your health over a whole lifetime.

Those rewards include actively challenging the brain and stimulating its growth through things like testing your memory regularly, using both sides of the brain, and solving problems.

Medical studies have shown that that playing chess can combat the symptoms of dementia, and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.  By playing chess regularly throughout their lifetime, a person keeps their brain active and functioning at a normal rate, limiting the rates of deterioration you would see from someone that simply lets their mind simply go ‘idle’.

People suffering from depression and anxiety can benefit from the deep levels of concentration associated with chess, which helps them to stay calm and relaxed.

Chess can also be used to help people recovering from strokes or a physically debilitating accident and those with developmental disabilities. By moving chess pieces around a board, a person can relearn basic motor skills and the mental effort required to play the game can improve cognitive and communication skills.