Chess is an age-old game that can range from people competing to be the best worldwide, or others simply playing for fun and to pass the time. But, you might not know the hidden benefits that the game of chess can have.

From improving your patience and perseverance to increasing your creativity, chess is a game that may make you smarter. According to ymcapkc.org, “Playing chess requires a great deal of critical thinking, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills.”

By trying to think ahead of your opponent and stay one step ahead of them, chess can also increase your mental sharpness and alertness. In fact, “…studies have shown that chess players tend to have better memory, attention span, and overall brain function than those who do not play [regularly].”

And while playing just a few games of chess won’t make much of a difference, playing chess for a long period can be sure to have a few surprising benefits. Chess is also a game that requires players to be able to see the future of a game by determining what pieces their opponent might choose to play.

In doing so, “It requires patience and perseverance to see a game through to the end, and even more so to become a skilled player.” Additionally, “This type of persistence can be beneficial in all areas of life, teaching players to stick with difficult tasks and see them through to the end.”

Alongside patience and perseverance, chess players oftentimes have a higher sense of creativity than others around them. Because in order “To come up with winning strategies, players must think outside the box and be able to envision different scenarios and outcomes.” Which can, “…translate into other areas of life, helping players to become more creative problem solvers.”

Only through patience and creative thinking can players defeat their opponents in chess, naturally improving their cognitive skills, creativity, and patience all at once.

So, the next time you see someone playing chess, don’t think of them as playing a game and wasting time, but improving their creativity and perseverance all at once.