Do the benefits of chess instruction transfer to academic and cognitive skills a meta-analysis

This meta-analysis evaluated the effects of chess instruction on children's academic performance and cognitive skills, analyzing 24 studies. The findings revealed moderate benefits in mathematics, reading, and cognitive abilities, with the strongest effects seen in mathematics. Longer durations of chess instruction (over 25 hours) produced greater improvements. However, the review cautioned that most studies lacked rigorous control designs, raising concerns about placebo effects or other confounding factors influencing results.

Introduce chess as a supplementary activity for children to enhance problem-solving and mathematical skills. To maximize benefits, engage in regular, structured sessions lasting over 25 hours. While the evidence supports some educational gains, these effects may vary, and more robust research is needed to confirm the findings.