Chess can support mental health

The first study examined how this approach helps people with alcohol addiction as part of their rehabilitation. A structured program with chess tasks was added to the standard treatment.

The results were promising, as the participants were better able to maintain their attention compared to the control group and reported a higher quality of life after the intervention. In addition, group sessions enhanced communication and social interaction. An important indicator of engagement was the willingness to recommend the program to a friend; this willingness increased noticeably during the study and remained at that level three months after its completion.

The second study involved adolescents aged 13–17 who were undergoing psychiatric treatment. For six weeks, in addition to the main therapy, they engaged in chess‑oriented cognitive training. The adolescents showed improved working memory performance, and their subjective assessments of psychological well‑being and quality of life increased compared to the control group. The method may affect not only cognitive skills but also the patients’ internal well‑being.

It is particularly valuable that similar positive effects were observed in two very different groups — adults with alcohol addiction and adolescents with mental disorders. Improving the quality of life is the key goal of therapy: it determines how well a person is able to cope with everyday tasks, build relationships, and return to an active social life.

Chess training is not intended to replace established treatment methods. It is seen as an accessible and practical additional component. Currently, the results have been obtained through pilot studies, and the next step should be larger‑scale work to understand which patient groups benefit the most and how to better integrate such training into existing protocols.