jerry2468 wrote:
no
I like concise answers.
Is chess useful for anything else than chess?
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Cognition is not concentration... two different things.
I study intelligence. Contrary to the cocksure assertions that blanket this thread, there is some evidence that playing chess improves cognition. Yes, the act of concentrating does improve your concentration, contrary to the confident sounding dismissal of that possibility in an above post. A fine example is that monks who meditate are shown to have stronger abilities to concentrate than the average individual, and have physically different brains due to this. After playing chess, I have become much more organized, and am much better able to think/plan ahead using short term memory than before I started. Chess is also shown to be one of the most effective tools at preventing conitive decline/Alzheimer's.
I play chess for the mental benefits; however, if you truly want to do something that makes you smarter, train with the Dual N back program/task, avaiable at brainworkshop.sourceforge.net This downloadable training software is extremely strenuous, but results in priceless gains in cognitive ability. Also check out the google group "Dual N Back, brain training, and intelligence", referenced on the sourceforge page. I am an active member there and find it to be a great resource for intelligence/brain related questions.
TheMoonwalker wrote:
Hello,
Chess is a sport (or not) that you have to practise a lot to become a master.
Now, the question is: Is it worth to spend hours to learn and practise the game of chess?
Many people say that chess is just a waste of time, and many people end up as crazy after having played for a lifetime.
However, these people are probably people that don't play chess themselves.
What are your experiences?
Moon...!
Many people spend hours doing nothing but getting high...drunk...etc. Ill stick with chess.
Oct 19, 2010
0
#126
Isn't asking this question sort of like going to a symphony and then asking yourself, How does that violin make that sound? I enjoy playing chess just for the sheer joy of it, and nothing else matters.
I really like chess and I would like to think it has helped me concentrate on things better.... then again, I'm posting this during history class ;)
Chess has been teaching me many things about life and individual growth. Eg.
1. Always play for win.
2. Don't make the same mistake twice.
3. To attack is not always right, play positionally.
4. Offense is the best defence.
5. Attack the weakness.
6. Build pressure slowly. Each move matters.
7. Build pressure. Don't just liquidate the position by exchanging pieces.
8. Moving pieces randomly is not the right way. Get a strategy.
9. Pieces only at their right squares are most effective.
10. Pawn structure is the first priority to get the first equality.
Many more points to come.
Jan 25, 2014
0
#129
SpiralMoves, those are great things to follow, but I just wish I could remember them when I need to remember them. However, I suppose I do remember many of them and really do not think about them during play. I just realize, for instance, the it wise to attack a weakness, but I cannot remember where or when I learned that.
no