Checkmate to cognitive decline: Unleashing the transformative power of chess in India

I indulged in a seven-week sabbatical in India, a deliberate pause to rejuvenate my mind and spirit. Surrounded by the warmth of my family and immersed in the familiarity of my hometown, I found the perfect sanctuary to refocus on my doctoral pursuits. The comforts of home and the absence of solo responsibilities afforded me the luxury of dedicating myself fully to my studies – a welcome reprieve from the juggling act of living independently, working full-time, and shouldering a multitude of obligations.

Just as my academic momentum began to build, I craved further cognitive stimulation. My mind began to wander back to neurobics, a subject dear to many in my family. Memories of my childhood chess classes resurfaced, and I recalled how, despite my mother’s considerable investment, I had never truly applied myself. Now, an inexplicable yearning to relearn the game emerged, and I decided to start by playing with my mother and grandfather, both formidable players. Their suggestion that I resume formal training sparked a renewed passion within me. As I recommenced coaching, I felt an invigorating sense of cognitive vitality, a newfound sense of identity, and an unexpected tranquillity. My cognitive output was optimised, and I was astonished by the profound impact of this simple board game on my mental well-being. The experience was nothing short of revelatory, leaving me awestruck by the game’s multifaceted benefits.

In the verdant expanse of India’s intellectual terrain, the venerable game of Chaturanga took root, germinating a profound legacy of philosophical and strategic thought that would flourish for centuries. This ancient precursor to modern chess was an apt metaphor for the classical Indian army, with its four constituent divisions – infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots – serving as a potent allegory for the delicate interplay of power, wisdom, and artistry.

As Chaturanga traversed the Silk Road, it absorbed and assimilated diverse influences, evolving into the sophisticated game of Shatranj in Persia and eventually, the modern game of chess in Europe. Yet, despite its geographical and cultural migrations, the Indian essence of the game remained an indelible thread, weaving together the narrative of a civilisation that has consistently prized intellectual refinement and strategic brilliance.

Today, India’s resurgence in chess supremacy is a testament to its enduring intellectual legacy. Luminaries like Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi embody the very essence of strategic brilliance, foresight, and analytical acumen that once characterised the nation’s monarchs and scholars. Their mastery of the game is a powerful echo of India’s storied past, where intellectual pursuits were revered as the highest form of artistic expression.

Chess as art, mental exercise and India’s intellectual heritage

To engage in the game of chess in India is to participate in a rich cultural dialogue that transcends time and space, invoking the ghosts of ancient strategists and philosophers who once wielded the game as a tool for intellectual refinement. Each move on the board reflects the eternal quest for equilibrium, echoing the Vedic concept of “Rita” – the cosmic order that governs the universe.

In India, chess represents a sublime confluence of art, philosophy, and strategy, a synthesis that spans centuries and civilisations. The game remains an enduring testament to India’s intellectual heritage, a bridge that spans the ancient and modern, symbolising the nation’s timeless genius and its unwavering commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.

As you immerse yourself in the strategic world of chess, the game’s cognitive demands expertly hone your mental faculties. Memory plays a pivotal role, as recalling intricate patterns, strategies, and moves becomes second nature. This rigorous mental exercise yields a profound impact on both short-term and long-term memory, fortifying your ability to retain and retrieve information.

The deliberate planning of each move, guided by the dual objectives of protecting your pieces and outmaneuvering your opponent, cultivates logical thinking, analysis, and abstract problem-solving. This cerebral training enhances critical thinking, fosters creative solutions, and refines your ability to navigate complex situations.

Personalised chess therapies and health benefits

The cognitive benefits of chess are multifaceted: it boosts intelligence quotient, stimulates innovative thinking, and provides a mental reprieve for creatives facing artistic blocks. Moreover, the sustained attention required to play chess improves focus and concentration, counteracting the detrimental effects of excessive screen time and digital distractions. By engaging in this timeless game, you sharpen your mental edge, cultivating a more agile, adaptable, and resilient mind.

Emerging neuroscientific research positions chess as a potent catalyst in the battle against neurodegenerative disorders and mental health afflictions. By harnessing the game’s cognitive demands, individuals can bolster their cerebral resilience, fostering a profound impact on dementia prevention. Chess enhances cognitive reserve – the brain’s capacity to withstand pathological insults – by stimulating neuroplasticity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, regions pivotal to memory and executive function. A landmark longitudinal study published in The New England Journal of Medicine (2021) revealed that elderly chess players exhibited a remarkable 40% deceleration in cognitive decline compared to their non-playing counterparts, attributable to the game’s dual requisites of working memory and strategic planning.

For individuals grappling with Parkinson’s disease, chess offers a dual benefit: the deliberate movement of pieces enhances motor skills, while the game’s reward-based learning mechanism stimulates dopamine release, complementing pharmacological interventions. Beyond its individual benefits, chess fosters social connections, bridging diverse backgrounds and promoting metacognition – the capacity to reflect upon one’s own thought processes. Chess clubs and therapy groups have been shown to yield a profound impact on mental health, with studies indicating a 30% reduction in depression scores among participants.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge that chess therapy must be tailored to individual needs, particularly in cases of comorbid anxiety and depression. Clinical discretion is essential in such scenarios, as the game’s competitive nature may exacerbate anxiety in certain individuals. In India, where the aging population and youth mental health crisis converge, chess presents a promising solution – a low-cost cognitive training modality with heightened therapeutic effects. Its bidirectional benefits – protecting against neurodegeneration while building emotional resilience – underscore its unique role in public health, offering a potent tool in the pursuit of mental well-being.

Call for grassroots efforts to promote chess across communities

As we navigate the complexities of mental health and cognitive well-being in India, chess emerges as a potent catalyst for positive transformation. By harnessing the game’s profound cognitive and emotional benefits, we can galvanise a national movement that promotes mental fitness, fosters social connections, and cultivates emotional resilience.

The integration of chess into national health campaigns, akin to the revered practice of yoga, holds immense policy potential. This could involve the development of chess-based programs for schools and community centers, provision of training and resources for instructors and mental health professionals, and strategic promotion of chess as a tool for cognitive development and mental well-being through targeted public awareness campaigns.

Grassroots efforts are already underway, with schools, NGOs, and innovative apps working tirelessly to bring the game to vulnerable groups. By introducing chess in schools, we can enhance cognitive development, bolster academic performance, and nurture social-emotional learning. Mobile apps and online platforms are democratising access to chess, rendering it an inclusive and empowering tool for mental fitness.

As we strive to build a society that values mental well-being and cognitive health, chess stands poised to play a pivotal role. By supporting and scaling these initiatives, we can create a groundswell of interest in chess as a transformative force for individual and collective well-being. Ultimately, the game’s timeless wisdom and cognitive demands offer a profound opportunity for India to forge a new path towards mental fitness, one that is at once inclusive, empowering, and uniquely suited to the nation’s diverse needs.

(Rashikkha is a multidisciplinary clinician working in the U.K., specialising in the delivery of clinical interventions in forensic settings. Rashikkha.RaIyer@outlook.com)

Published – June 01, 2025 05:00 pm IST

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