The Effects of Chess on Cognitive Abilities and Critical Thinking of High School Students in Riyadh
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study investigates the relationship between chess proficiency and diverse cognitive functions in high school students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.While previous research has documented the benefits of chess on problem-solving, critical thinking, and memory in Western contexts, little is known about its impact within rapidly modernizing educational environments such as Riyadh.Utilizing a purposive sample of 120 tenth-grade students familiar with basic chess rules, participants completed three standardized cognitive assessments: the Trail Making Test (pattern recognition and cognitive flexibility), the Stroop Test (inhibitory control), and the Backward Digit Span (short-term working memory).Chess skill was quantified via Elo ratings ranging from 100 to 1750.Correlational analyses revealed a modest positive association between Elo and Trail Making accuracy (r = 0.215, p < .01),suggesting that higher chess expertise corresponds to superior visual-spatial processing and cognitive flexibility.The relationship between Elo and Stroop performance was weakly positive for correct responses (r = 0.055, p = .40)and negative for errors (r = -0.177,p < .05),indicating a slight enhancement of inhibitory control among stronger players.No significant correlation emerged between Elo and Backward Digit Span scores (r = -0.070,p = .28),implying that chess proficiency may not generalize to non-domain-specific working memory tasks.These results align with domain-specific transfer theories and underscore the multifactorial nature of cognitive skill development.Findings highlight chess as a valuable, yet targeted, tool for fostering certain executive functions in adolescents.Future research should employ longitudinal and experimental designs to establish causality and explore additional cognitive domains.
Authors: Jehad Darwish, Ghaith Saad, Aala Maayah, Omer Hassan, Abdulmalik AlShehri, Mohammed Abdelrahman
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410756384