Cognitive Effects of chess on the human brain (characteristics)

Annotated Bibliography

 

Fattahi, F., Geshani, A., Jafari, Z., Jalaie, S., & Mahini, M. S. (2015). Auditory memory

Function in expert chess players. Medical journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 29, 275.

 This article reviews the effect of chess on auditory memory.  Fattahi et al. (2015) conducts a cross-sectional study and selects 30 chess players aged 20 to 35 years.  The purpose of the study was to compare the auditory memory of long-term chess players and non-chess players.  The study found that expert chess players had high levels of auditory-verbal memory than non-chess players. The findings suggest that chess playing is associated with cognitive processes, including working memory.  The cognitive process and in specific the auditory-verbal memory is reinforced.  It plays a significant role in improving language skills and keeping information.

Lillo-Crespo, M., Forner-Ruiz, M., Riquelme-Galindo, J., Ruiz-Fernández, D., & García-Sanjuan, S. (2019). Chess Practice as a Protective Factor in Dementia. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(12), 2116.

            The purpose of this article is to explore whether chess practice improves the cognitive capacities of patients who have dementia. Lillo-Crespo et al. (2019) conducted a literature search and examined information related to a chess game, dementia, protective factors, and other keywords.  They used systematic reviews, descriptive studies, and other papers. After conducting extensive research, they found that mental activity stimulates the neurogenesis process.  Activities such as chess strengthen cognitive functions and prevent dementia.  The findings suggest that chess acts as a protective factor and cognitive therapy.

Lane, D. M., & Chang, Y.-H. A. (2018). Chess knowledge predicts chess memory even after

controlling for chess experience: Evidence for the role of high-level processes. Memory & Cognition, 46(3), 337–348. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13421-017-0768-2

 This article aims to examine whether chess improves memory performance.  Lane & Chang (2018) used 79 chess players from different chess clubs.  The participants were given a chess memory test.  The authors wanted to investigate the cognitive abilities by reviewing chess knowledge.  The findings showed that chess players have recognition of patterns.  The article states that chess improves cognitive functions. Chess players with long-term experiences of the game have an accurate recall. For example, in thousands of chess games,  a chess player can learn and recalls the templates. This indicates that chess contributes to high-level memory processes that enable the chess players to recognize patterns.  The articles present strong evidence that the ability to recall chess is position and pattern influenced by the high-level of memory.

Jerrim, J., Macmillan, L., Micklewright, J., Sawtell, M., & Wiggins, M. (2018). Does Teaching Children How to Play Cognitively Demanding Games Improve Their Educational Attainment? Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Chess Instruction in England. Journal of Human Resources, 53(4), 993–1021. https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.53.4.0516-7952R

 

 The purpose of this article is to examine where cognitively demanding games such as chess help children improve educational attainment. Jerrim et al. (2018) subjects that chess games have a positive effect on educational attainment.  The authors use a randomized controlled trial and used 4,000 pupils. The article states that children who received chess instruction and tuition on chess games had an improvement in their academic test, especially mathematical test scores. This finding shows that cognitively demanding games improve cognitive development, visual perception, working memory, and other development. The article states that chess and other cognitively demanding games should be provided to children to improve educational achievement.

 

Bühren, C., & Frank, B. (2012). Chess Players’ Performance Beyond 64 Squares: A Case Study on the Limitations of Cognitive Abilities Transfer. Talent Development & Excellence, 4(2), 157–169. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=87368283&site=ehost-live

            The article argues that chess hinders cognitive abilities transfer. The authors state that there is no evidence that chess players transfer their abilities to other areas that need a  high level of expertise.  The article argues some abilities correlate positively. For example, ability in task X and ability in task Y may correlate, or in other words, an individual can be good in task X and Y.  This means that there is a cognitive transfer between the two tasks.  However, chess players do not have rational choices.  For example, other professionals have cognitive abilities that enable them to transfer to other areas. However, there is no evidence that chess players will be good at different tasks.