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.
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Research in neuroscience and psychology supports these cognitive and metacognitive benefits. Chess strengthens memory and recall by training players to recognize patterns and commit complex openings, tactical motifs, and endgame strategies to long-term memory.
It enhances focus and sustained attention, reinforcing the ability to concentrate under pressure.
Moreover, the game develops core executive functions, including impulse control, cognitive flexibility, strategic planning, and emotional regulation, all of which are central to goal-directed behavior.
The continuous calculation of future moves and anticipation of outcomes exercises foresight, problem-solving, and higher-order cognitive processing, making chess an exceptional medium for cultivating transferable intellectual skills.