Chess is a challenging game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you’re a beginner or a grandmaster, there is enjoyment in chess for everyone.
The most important thing that makes chess so interesting to play is that, while it may seem simple at first sight, it’s a very complex game that can take a lifetime to master.
11 Reasons why Chess is Interesting to Play:
1. Chess Engages Your Mind in a Challenging Activity
Humans are complex! When we are free with nothing to do, our brains can create mountains out of molehills, thinking of things that are never going to occur.
If you want to engage your brain in something healthy and fun without moving from your couch, chess is a good time killer.
At the very least, it will help you develop the skill of pattern recognition. Skilled chess players are adept at recognizing patterns, and their memory is sharper than that of an average human.
Chess constantly puts them in situations where they have to solve certain patterns, and this mental involvement is excellent for memory.
Check out how well they remember Vishy Anand’s (former world champion) games:
2. You can Play Chess Anywhere
The game can be played anywhere, as it only requires a board and pieces. Even if you don’t have those and you have an Internet connection and device to connect with the Internet, you can enjoy playing chess online.
Interestingly, if you are an advanced player and also your opponent, then both of you don’t even need an Internet connection. You can play blindfold chess just by saying your moves to each other.
Don’t know what blindfold chess is? Check out the video below where Grandmaster Ansih Giri is playing 3 blindfold games simultaneously:
3. Chess Is Good For Kids
Curiosity is the desire to learn and kids are no short of it. To a certain age, they want to taste anything and everything. Then comes the age of observing, looking at, and testing things. That is where you can introduce chess into their lives.
Bobby Fischer, the greatest US chess player ever was not a kid from a chess family. In a way, he became the accidental genius who was introduced to chess by his Mom gifting him a chess set as a Christmas gift.
If you are looking for gift ideas for kids, a chess set from here can be a good option.
By encouraging kids to play chess you will enable them to think creatively and take calculated risks.
Chess can help kids develop a more flexible and adaptable thought process that can be applied to other areas of their lives, such as problem-solving, innovation, and decision-making.
4. Chess is Enjoyable
Whether you are a Grand master or an 800 rated online player, chess is a game enjoyed by players of all levels.
While you are playing the game, you will naturally be able to focus on the game, and you will enjoy the tension on the board.
The game will test you in several different ways like how clever you are in not capturing your opponent’s piece because he is making you greedy to capture a piece and gain a positional advantage to win the game.
It will also test your patience, and ability to stay calm in a winning position and remain focused till the end result. The variables are too many, and the game won’t end until you deliver checkmate on the board, or your opponent runs out of time.
All of this process is very enjoyable, and mostly skill unlike other board games where luck is a huge factor.
5. Chess Can Make You Physically Fit
I know you’ll be surprised, but there is a way to make chess a healthy activity, especially if you play it online and are already engaging in several blitz and bullet games a day.
For every blitz game and bullet game played online, set a rule for yourself that you’ll do 5 pushups. You can either do them after every game or play a series of games up to a limit where you can perform pushups. For example, if you can do 20 pushups in a row, play 4 games and do pushups before moving on to the next game.
This strategy is very helpful for people who can’t follow a workout routine or are always thinking that they should start exercising from tomorrow.
Take this challenge as an experiment, and later you can attach pushups or any other exercises to some other time-wasting activities, like 1 pushup for every reel watched. 😀
6. It Doesn’t Require Too Much Intelligence
Even a 3 years old kid can be taught how to play chess.
More than intelligence, it’s a game of hard work, dedication, and interest. If you have all three of them, you can beat more than 90% of the world in chess.
Intelligence is important, but with dedication, interest, and hard work, you can defeat even the most intelligent people in the world in chess.
7. Chess is Diverse
Girls and boys both have an equal opportunity to excel in the game. In fact, research has shown that girls who play chess have better academic results and are more likely to go to college.
There are many different ways to get involved in chess. One great way to learn the game is to find a chess club in your area. There, you can meet other people who love the game and learn from their experiences.
8. Chess is Enjoyed in All Cultures
Chess is a game that can be enjoyed by people of all religions or faiths. There is no need to convert to any specific religion or faith in order to play chess.
In fact, chess can even help people learn more about other religions and faiths because it’s a global sport played in almost every country.
9. Chess Has No Political Divide
Chess is truly a game that can be enjoyed by people of all political beliefs. It is one of the few games that does not require any equipment and can be played almost anywhere.
In addition, it is a very social game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
10. Chess is Played in all Social Backgrounds
Chess is a board game that has been enjoyed by people of all social backgrounds for centuries. It is a game that can be learned relatively easily but can provide a lifetime of enjoyment for those who take the time to learn its complexities.
There are many benefits to playing chess. For one, it can help improve your problem-solving skills. It can also help you develop your strategic thinking abilities, and can increase your level of concentration.
In addition, playing chess can help you to become more disciplined, and can teach you how to think ahead and plan for future outcomes.
11. Chess is a Game that can be Enjoyed by People of all Cultures
There are many different variations of chess, and the game can be played with two or more people. It is a game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and is a great way to spend time with family and friends.
Interestingly, you can play chess with people who don’t know your language, and you don’t know their language.
Still at the end of the game, you can discuss the game with them, which sounds weird but is the truth, and something that makes chess a very interesting sport to play.
