Chess and elder people

• Lecture London Chess Conference 2015 by Karel van Delft• www.chesstalent.com www.schaakacademieapeldoorn.nl

• Text based on book Ernst Strouhal and some additional sources

Schach und Alter = Chess and age

Book ‘Schach und Alter’ (chess and age) of Austrian culture scientist Ernst Strouhal (2011, Springer-Verlag, Vienna)

Sources: medical doctors, sociologists, psychologists, culture scientists

www.maxeuwe.nl/index.php/activiteit/columns/86-columns/184-kwaliteiten-van-het-oudere-schaakbrein

Dutch article site Max Euwe Centre

Summary

Chess is gymnastics for the mind. Brains are like muscles: ‘Use it or lose it.’ Who plays regularly stays mentally fit on a elder age. Via chess people keep social contacts, which makes them feel better. Feeling better influences positively fysical shape. Research indicates chess prevents and/or retards dementia. The brain is plastic, elder chess players can perform until high age.

Precaution

Don’t jump easily to conclusions: In a country 10 to 20 percent of people play chess. Often these people have high education, hea lthy jobs, better food.

More elder people

In 2030 25 percent of western population is 60+. So more people will have fysical and mental (loneliness) problems.

What chess can do for them becomes more important.

Calendar age

Doctor Katharina Pils: calendar age and biological ages. Calendar age correlates with self-image of people and life style. Chess can play a stimulating role.

Cognitive performances during life span Psychologist prof. Neil H. Charness investigates cognitive

performances during life span. Conclusions:

To perform you have to practise. Younger people can process information faster and are better in

tactics. Elder people can compensate by experience and knowledge (of

patterns), so they can be better in positional play.

Transfer ?

Probably no direct transfer of chess skills to other life domains.

But… indirect transfer via thinking about thinking being active planning of activities more selfrespect by performing

Elderly can learn new things

Eldery (65+) can learn new things.They have:‘fluid intelligence’: abstract logical reasoning and problem solving‘crystallized intelligence’: lots of knowledge and experience

Pfleger

Helmut Pfleger is GM, medical doctor, psychotherapist and journalist.

There are many GMs who play well at high age: GM Viktor Korchnoi, GM Andor Lilienthal, GM Miguel Najdorf, GM George Koltanowski.

Pfleger: remarkebly no dement top chess players.

3 reasons why chess keeps the brain fitPfleger:

Chess asks for concentration and flexible thinking. Via games you communication with other people and you have fun. Chess is a lifelong passion.

Chess gives a ‘cognitive reserve’.

Elder brain is plastic

The brain controls behaviour and skills. Via behaviour and excercises one can improve qualities of the brain.

Prof. Margriet Sitskoorn, clinical neuropsychologist.

Brain can improve after 60+ by exercices

After 50+ memory is less. Better dealing with stress. More experienced about decision making.

Prof. Eddy van der Zee, moleculair neurobiologist.

Advices to keep the elder mind healthy Enough movement, at least three times a week half an hour. 1,5 liter water a day. Modest with meals. Conscious living (reflect) keeps brains active. Reading books keeps brain active. Following courses, learning music instrument, language or chess.

Not effective: Gin-Seng, memory pills, continue solving same puzzles.

Prof André Aleman, neuropsychologist.

Conclusions

Chess stimulates health of elderly.

Via chess contacts with other people.

Via chess success experiences, positive self-image.

Playing chess can reduce costs of medical care.

Project idea: chess in revalidation centre Because of stroke, accident etcetera people can stay for a long time in

a revalidation centre. It seems good idea to start chess lessons and clubs in such centre.

Distraction Succes experiences by learning new things Social contacts Feeling mentally better is good for fysical shape