Chess is a strategy game in which two people challenge each other in front of a grid board with 64 squares and two groups of figures, 16 for each player, some white and others black: a king, a queen, two bishops, two knights. , two rooks and eight pawns. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) considers it a sport and the International Chess Federation (FIDE) regulates international competitions.
The goal of chess is to overthrow the opponent's king, and for this, each player must try to approach the square occupied by this figure and press until it is unprotected and can say checkmate. Game over.
Chess is considered a mental sport, since it transcends the game itself. Some even elevate it to the category of art and science. In addition, it is fun, healthy and can be practiced by people of all ages. It is never too late to learn to play, especially because of the many benefits it brings.
A study from the University Hospital of Valencia concludes that chess stimulates mental activity and memory. The research involved 120 people between the ages of 57 and 87, divided into two groups of 60. The first received a chess course for a year and the second activities that required little brain performance. The results were revealing: 65% of the people who played chess improved their space-time orientation and mental speed, while the second group did not. Therefore, chess can be used as an excellent cognitive stimulation therapy and to prevent diseases such as Alzheimer's.
