7 Benefits of Playing Chess for Adults
According to a survey conducted by YouGov in 2020, chess is the second most popular board game among US adults, after Monopoly. The pandemic has led to a surge in interest in chess, with the number of players on the popular online chess platform Chess.com growing by over 5 million in 2020. In a survey conducted by Ipsos in 2018, 44% of US adults reported playing chess at some point in their lives, and 18% reported playing within the past year.
The World Chess Federation (FIDE) reported a record number of registered players in 2020, with over 2 million players registered worldwide.
Chess is also becoming increasingly popular as a competitive sport among adults, with numerous international tournaments and championships taking place each year.
There are numerous benefits of chess for senior citizens, including:
Mental stimulation: Chess requires strategic thinking, concentration, and memory skills, all of which help to keep the mind active and sharp.
Socialization: Chess can be played with others, providing an opportunity for seniors to socialize and interact with others.
Improved cognitive function: Studies have shown that playing chess can help improve cognitive function, including reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Reduced risk of dementia: Engaging in mentally stimulating activities such as chess has been shown to reduce the risk of developing dementia in later life.
Stress relief: Playing chess can be a relaxing and enjoyable activity, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
Increased self-esteem: Learning and improving at chess can provide a sense of accomplishment and boost self-esteem.
Low-impact activity: Chess is a low-impact activity that can be enjoyed by seniors of all physical abilities.
Overall, chess is a fun and engaging activity that can provide numerous physical and mental health benefits for seniors. Studies have shown that playing chess can be beneficial for individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Recently a leading newspaper in India, Times of India in one of its articles published that 9M Indians have dementia and is prevalent among an estimation of 7.1% of the country’s elder people. As Chess helps in memory build, stimulating brain with neuroplasticity, it can help prevent or reduce above cases among elders.
In recent years, many chess clubs and organizations have started to offer coaching programs specifically for seniors. These programs often focus on teaching seniors the basics of the game and helping them improve their skills through practice and game analysis. Additionally, many individual coaches also offer chess coaching services for seniors, either in-person or online. The cost of these services can vary widely, depending on the coach’s qualifications, the level of coaching required, and the length and frequency of the coaching sessions.