It exercises both sides of the brain – according to a German study, the left and right hemispheres are solicited while looking to solve chess positions. It increases reading performance – a study found that chess-playing elementary school students were above national average on reading tests. It improves memory – a study found that students improved their memory after learning how to play. Teaches problem-solving skills and fast thinking as you need to counter attack your opponent move. It helps to prevent disease like Alzheimer’s or dementia – playing chess is the perfect work out for your brain to keep it healthy. It raises your IQ – a study has shown that students that were playing chess have actually raise their IQ significantly.
