Benefits of chess

Social Benefits

Chess has many social benefits, especially in the modern age. Foremost, chess is very inexpensive to start learning and requires few items. Large consumer retailers such as Amazon and Walmart likely have less expensive, mass-produced sets. Otherwise, if you are on a tighter budget, you can most likely find a set at a local thrift shop or flea market. Once you have gained some practice, if you find that you really enjoy the game, you can even spring for a custom-made set. Furthermore, chess can be played by anyone, regardless of their skill level. Due to its inexpensive and highly accessible nature, it can be straightforward to find a person, or a whole group to play with. Technology has made that even easier, because now there are free apps on many different platforms that let you connect and play with people across the globe.

Personal Gratification

While chess is more accessible than ever, it can still be a great challenge for people eager to test themselves. As the old adage goes, chess is "easy to learn, but hard to master." Many today still use chess as a benchmark for high intelligence (although it is not as prevalent in today's era). It takes a lot of time and dedication to grasp all the complex moves and tactics high-level players use. Chess Grandmaster is a highly sought after rank, and according to the Chess Journal, only "approximately 2,000 currently hold the rank globally today" (Chess Journal); this is less than 1% of the earth's population. Achieving Grandmaster rank is such a prestigious accolade, and if you start your journey now, you could be the next to earn that title!