Chess - what type of intelligence, skill, or cognitive function?

Question

As I have never touched a chess board in my life, chess playing seems to be a highly intellectual activity. This image stems from my watching Chinese period films--in which the rulers or military strategists brainstorm or relax over a chess board and with tea. I don't necessarily associate military intelligence and diplomacy with chess-playing ability--although I wonder about the pairing depicted in these films--but what types of intelligences are a requisite for successful chess players?

I would think, mathematical (or symbolic), probability, and memory. Is this all?

I'm pretty good at math; I play a musical instrument; I have good numerical, semantic, and visual memories. Would that transfer well into chess?

What kind of enhancements does playing chess add to one's everyday life? Or is it just.. one brings what one already has into the game.. and not the other way around..

Answer 1

Chess is a very old game, so it has a rich history.  That can be studied, like all old institutions.  It has a host of international and very colorful Grandmasters that have played it over the years.  Men and women of extra ordinary gifts.  Like any field of study there are notable games and people that you can spend a lot of time learning about.

It is a game that has social and political implications, consider Bobby Fisher, Boris Spassky and the cold war years with the Russians vs the US.  And the pressure that was placed on chess players.

It requires memory in that there are a large number of openings and methods that are canned and once you learn them you can use them to attack and counter what your opponent is doing.

It has features that are similar to math in that you have to be able to do calculations very quickly, as in I do A, my opponent does B, then I will do C.  The person who can see the most number of moves ahead will probably win the game.  It is not uncommon for Grandmasters to be able to see 10 moves ahead.

The way the pieces move on the board require a person to be able to visualize what will happen.  You have to be able to see what the board will look like after you and your opponent have made a number of moves.  This is not so much a mathematical skill as it is a spacial ability.  Kind of like being able to visualize shapes in 3D.  

Understanding how to use the pieces is a skill like this.  Each piece can do certain moves, you have to be able to see how to use the pieces with each other to form attacks and defenses.

There is very little probability in chess (as in calculating odds), if you can see far enough and select the best moves you can force your opponent to make the moves that you want.

There is a set of tactics that must be learned and you also have to be able to think strategically (i.e. long term).

So I would say that the game can enhance the life of any intelligent person.  If you are a person that loves life long learning then it is the game for you.  It is not a game that requires you to bring anything to it, but to master it takes the average person a life time.

Answer 2

It sounds like your skill set would translate well to chess. In order of importance, these are the skills/traits I would say are the most important:

1) spatial visualization. Being able to see the board at least a few moves out is critical.

2) concentration. The ability to concentrate and calculate intensely over long periods of times without getting bored or zoning out is also crucial.

3) competitiveness. Because chess is hard mental work, the person willing to keep the intensity of their desire to win up will have an edge.

4) patience. Being good at chess requires acting on a plan that might not see immediate results. Playing solely for short term gain will not go well.

As for what it brings to you, I think it reinforces many of these same qualities. My ability to concentrate on difficult tasks for long periods of time has been immensely improved by playing chess.  My ability to dream and visualize has also increased.

Answer 3

What I have found from playing chess for 3 years, is that , once you know the do's and dont's of the game (like any game), the rest is up to you. Your personality, creativity, and intellect. Primarily, it is a game of being able to know what is important. Knowing what moves need to be done is far more important, than calculating multiple moves far in advance. A complex set of plans can be disrupted easily by your opponent. It comes down to being able to make decisions. Will you ,play defensive, aggressive, throw in a surprise and shock your opponent with the unexpected, play a steady boring game if you can just to win? Its more about who you are. Personality really comes out with each persons game style. I think anyone can do well at chess, if they are willing to spend a little time learning game basics, and practicing a bit. You don't have to be a genius, just good at making your own decisions. If you love the game, its exhilarating when you win, and sometimes very depressing when you fail. The game has no excuses, you win / loose by your own judgment.

The military similarity has been contemplated by many chess writers. In the words of the recently deceased Bobby Fisher- "chess is war, the object is to destroy your opponents mind!"

In summary, I think from your interests, you would like the game, but don't think that its all about calculating and smarts, your gut counts for a lot in the game!

Answer 4

begin players tend to rely on logic and strategic thinking.  Masters rely almost exclusively on long-term memory.

Answer 5

It helps improve logic, and your problem solving skills.

Answer 6

I believe this page might be of relevance:

http://www.quadcitychess.com/benefits_of...

Answer 7

i have played chess from the age of 7 years now now none my friends can courageously play with me. i have been so successful in it, that i get a kind of superiority complex on account of that. i know that its just a game and it doesn't mean that i will be successful in my career.

i have good creative and innovative skills. but when it comes to things like semantic memory i will lay on your heels. i live in india  now. and its only semantic memory that works here whether u get into a good academic career path or not. so goes the game.. some how i got into being one among national institute.. well still creative work is not given so much importance in most institutions in India but rather seen as unnecessary waste of time.

but it had helped me a lot in avoiding depression.. one of the antidepressants.whenever u win .. it feels like world is under your feet for a moment. but thats transient.. just like an alcohol high.. There is healthy catch to this game.. it prevents premature dementia.. it may protect u against alzheimers, and other dementing disorders to some extent... your frontal lobe must be really really working to give a punch blow to your opponent.

Answer 8

360 degree thinking because you think about the best way possible to acheive  victory, and its tactical

Answer 9

Which game of chess are you talking about? The Chinese played many different games that we can classify all as chess...

I've played many types of chess and I would say the ability to predict moves, analyze opponents, notice patterns, and win strategically can be developed. Many newcomers come to our chess club and turn out as great chess players.

Visual memories probably would transfer well into chess. It's a game of logic, basically.

Both. Playing chess helps many people learn to plan ahead. Your own abilities, such as in your case, visual memories, also determines a player's game.

Good luck if you're starting! No matter what kind of chess you're talking about, if you practice and try hard, you can become good at it.

Answer 10

Playing chess is to intellectual strength what lifting weights is to physical strength; the more you engage in the activity the stronger you become so it does not matter how strong you are now.  Success in any activity is how you define it, what goals you set for yourself.  In chess both logical reasoning and memory are involved but to be sure they are different mental functions and switching from one to the other in chess is referred to as "transition".  Being good at math, playing music and having a good memory are good indicators that you should be able to learn chess rather well but be sure that there is a lot to learn.  

As far as the benefits, or enhancements, playing chess could bring, you should check on the research done and compiled by Dr. Robert C. Ferguson.

Answer 11

It improves your memory, analytical skills, sharpens your perception and capacity for concentration, etc. It can also improve your social skills and personal well-being by showing that competition can be mutually beneficial and that losing is not necessarily a bad thing.

The main two types of Chess games the Chinese play are: Xiang Qi and Wei Qi. Xiang Qi is similar to Western Chess. Wei Qi also known as Go in Japanese or Baduk in Korean. Both game are use to exersise the mind.

Answer 12

Although Chess=intelligence is overhyped There are a few "intelligence" things needed.

1. Problem solving skill

2. Memory

3. Thinking causally.  (You know, if i do that and he does this can still do that other thing?)

Like I said, the chess=intelligence thing is over blown.  I've known some morons who were basically idiot savants in chess.

Also sanity is not required.  Heck, maybe developing a crazy obsession is required.

If you go to chess and lose often, and you will, remember that is not a reflection on you.  It does not mean your opponent is smarter.  It means they are more obsessed with the game Chandler called the most extravagant waste of time outside of an ad agency.