The narrow skillset of chess doesn't translate well onto the broader stage.
The ability to patiently sit and consider/analyze before acting can be useful though.
The discipline that long, serious chess usually requires can be instilled as a good habit that would generally be useful outside of chess.
What a brilliant analysis golden dog, im sure u have a valid point there.
This is an extremely interesting question! I am currently in my first year of medical school. When I first started playing, I was a junior in college. I wanted to cultivate a hobby that would improve, rather than destroy my brain (chess > beerpong) ha! I never knew just how deep this wonderful hobby can go! I have a board now, and I recently recommended picking up chess to a friend of mine who is thinking of going through the academically and intellectually rigorous process of applying to medical school. I am convinced that playing chess during my free time keeps my mind sharp. Since I've started playing I absolutely feel that my problem solving skills have improved! I have to say that chess DOES make you smarter. A chess move can be approached with so much planning and depth... Playing chess definitely helped me score well on my MCAT, and it helps me think analytically on tests and I am sure it will someday help me stay one step ahead of my patients' illness. :)
Seems like I remember reading a study about 15 years ago about how Chess improves an IQ by more than 5 points when played over a 20-year period. Can't remember where that lil' tidbit comes from, though.
Yes! I agree w/ goldendog.
Chess helps develop self-discipline in regards to mental control and attention span. This in turn makes for a better learner, but it only translates indirectly into intelligence. Attention span is the greatest limit to a child's learning, so chess can indirectly make children smarter if they learn mental self-control through chess.
Chess might improve intelligence, but if the thread title is anything to judge by, then it is likely that chess does not improve spelling.
As far as I know, human brains don't have a section labeled "chess." Therefore, it would help to know which aspects of the brain are exercised whilst playing chess.
Off of the top of my head, memory is one of them; perhaps you will be able to remember more phone numbers or person names. Analysis is another one; perhaps you'll be able to handle certain situations a bit better than had you not played chess.
it may help prevent degradation of memory, but i think a study proved that it didnt help memory in aspects other than chess positions that one would encounter in a game.
In my time on this site I have observed no correlation between chess ability and general intellect.
Chess might improve intelligence, but if the thread title is anything to judge by, then it is likely that chess does not improve spelling.
Very good.
I do think in my experience it has improved my reasoning and intelligence in general. But most especially, anything involving mental discipline, both in the playing and analyzing of the game, yet also in training myself in the ideal way for improvement (i.e., working on what I need to work on rather than what I want to work on). However, ideas like teaching it in schools is extreme of course, as just hoping for general improvement in intelligence is not a good reason to waste time on chess.
Just a little tidbit regarding this topic: http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-players/iq-and-chess-the-real-relationship
Given everything that's been discussed there, chess and IQ have some correlation (IQ being a small portion of intelligence).
Having said this, I can honestly tell you that goldendog's answer is probably just about as accurate (and correct) as there could possibly be, in consideration of everything we know at this point in time.
Now chess and sarcasm..............
There has been a lot valuable information contributed here. I can not say thanks as of now because I think there may still be some more inputs very educational and meritorious, new ideas, new thinking chess players or not may benefit.
"Now chess and sarcasm.............."
This is open to all, young, adults, chess players or not, good chess players or not so good, nmothing is banned if those issues just remain here in this thread and be reviewed at a later time and correctred or improved. I take sarcasm as a literary style.
I take sarcasm as a literary style.
for me it is a life style.
Is there really help that chess can give to improve one's intelligence? Is a chess player better prepared for his job than a non player or the other way around. What about attitude and orientation? Does he have any advantage. What do you think?