Does Chess boost IQ?

Chess is a game where you try to trap your opponents King (checkmate), using  and positioning other pieces, implementing: strategy, anticipation and a working memory.

Chess is a great game in developing your intelligence and exercising your mind, although it is uncertain if chess actually boosts your IQ, or if it just helps your mind in reaching its very near full potential. 

1. Concentration and Patience.

If you're going to learn to play chess, or if you already do, you will know, or come to know, that a monstrous amount of concentration is needed. You will need to be concentrating on every move you and your opponent makes, needing to think of benefits and consequences of each move made. Patience is also better established in this procedure.

As you progress to a higher level of chess, it is made clear early on that one wrong move, can cost you the game. To avoid such a catastrophic mistake then, concentration must be applied and used effectively. 

For example: I was playing a friend at chess, and I had a lapse in concentration. He was then able to take my queen and gain control over the board. 
From that point on, it just went downhill. However I then struck lucky, as he had a lapse in his concentration, allowing me to take his queen and regain control of the game. - I went on to win the match. This illustrates what a lack of concentration can do.

2.  Analysis.

Chess helps to develop analysis and how you go about in doing it. In fact some results taken show that teenagers who started to play chess, strengthened their numerical and verbal skills. It also suggested that increased memory could be a by-product of this depth analysis. 

3. Spatial Intelligence.

The need to foresee moves and strategical possibilities, is essential in the game of chess. This has the ability to build up knowledge and memories of previously played games, using strategical comprehension from those games and executing them into new games.

You will also need to develop the technique of looking at moves further on in the game. Some players are able to look 10-15 moves into the game and then use their understanding of the game, to decide if its for the best or worst.

Lists of Benefits you can expect from chess, young or old.

• Independence,
• Logical thinking and understanding,
• Concentration,
• Working memory,
• Fluid reasoning,
• Knowledge.

If you want a full list of the benefits, then check out this post: 10 Reasons why you should Play Chess.