The ChessAIThon project (2025-1-ES01-KA220-VET-000354329) is co-funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Spanish Service for the Internationalisation of Education (SEPIE). Neither the European Union nor the National Agency SEPIE can be held responsible for them.
Table of Contents
Chess serves as a powerful tool for developing both cognitive and metacognitive capacities, engaging multiple mental processes simultaneously.
At the cognitive level, the game demands analytical reasoning, as players must calculate variations, weigh the relative value of pieces, and determine optimal moves within a complex, non-linear environment.
The 8×8 board further challenges spatial intelligence (visuospatial working memory), requiring players to visualize piece movements, anticipate positions several moves ahead, and mentally rotate the board to consider the opponent’s perspective.
Its sequential and causal structure fosters sequential thinking, training the mind to follow logical chains of cause and effect, where every action serves as a precursor to the next. These processes mirror the problem-solving and reasoning skills essential in academic and real-world contexts.