What chess can teach us about resilience
Illustrations by Jung Kwak, a freelance graphic designer and potter, pursuing a future in landscape design in Austin, Texas.
by Sanaphay Rattanavong
Regular Medicinal Media contributor Sanaphay Rattanavong is a writer, editor, and tutoring specialist across K-12 and higher education, with a diverse background in arts, culture, and technology.
“We learn by chess the habit of not being discouraged by present bad appearances in the state of our affairs, the habit of hoping for a favorable change, and that of persevering in the search of resources.”
— Benjamin Franklin
Like many, I learned the game of chess as a child and didn’t see another board until decades later. A few years before COVID-19 reared its spiked-protein head, I was fortunate enough to find myself at local chess clubs. As I struggled with mental health issues, chess, along with the support of friends and family, the luminous company of books, revitalizing nature walks, and music, helped me find the lost resilience of my younger self. Like our understanding of resilience, and mental health in general, the game of chess has evolved over the centuries. Recently, chess has surged in popularity. To an extent, it’s morphed from a pastime into a metaphorical and practical tool for fostering resilience. In parallel to chess’s rise as a cultural phenomenon is the increased emphasis on mental health struggles—not as something that befalls the few unfortunate like a bout of pneumonia, but as a vital aspect of both our individual and collective well-being and growth.
To learn more and clarify the finer points of resilience as it relates to mental health, I spoke to two experts who have a combined near-century’s worth of experience in the field of mental health: Dr. L. Eugene Arnold, MD, MEd, CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) Resident Expert; and Dr. Gene Beresin, MD, MA, Executive Director of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Dr. Beresin is also a full professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and senior educator in child and adolescent psychiatry at MGH.
Understanding Resilience
The American Psychological Association describes resilience as "the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.” This definition emphasizes resilience as a dynamic process rather than a static trait, highlighting the capacity for positive adaptation and growth through difficult experiences. Experts across many disciplines have proposed various models of resilience, suggesting that it can manifest in very diverse ways.
In line with this definition, Dr. Beresin emphasizes that resilience is not innate but something we develop through learned experiences. “It's not a characteristic,” he tells me, but “a process that you learn, [and while it’s] protective, it's also a skill."
So, what do the fruits of this wound-healing look like? "The two main components of resilience are engagement with others...and awareness of one's emotions, behavior, and how it affects you internally and how it affects other people,” Dr. Beresin explains. “Besides engagement and awareness, there's also meaning and purpose, healthy thinking, emotional regulation, flexibility, confidence."
“Chess helps you to concentrate; improve your logic. It teaches you to play by the rules and take responsibility for your actions… how to problem solve in an uncertain environment.”
—Garry Kasparov (former World Chess Champion)
Jung Kwak
The Role of Resilience in Mental Health
Dr. Beresin’s clinical experience has instilled in him a nuanced perspective on resilience. "In my experience, resilience is a double-edged sword,” he says. “On one edge, it prevents adversity. And on the other edge it provides you coping skills to deal with adversity when it happens… it's the capacity to withstand hardship to repair yourself to have positive adaptation in the face of stress." This implies that it’s the painful sharpening of such skills that reminds us that we all bleed.
Indeed, our mistakes shape who we are. But Dr. Beresin emphasizes that it’s also the “teaching and modeling of self-care, creating opportunities to engage in problem-solving, healthy habits such as exercise, sleep, meditation, nutrition, focusing on positive emotions...” Thus, he believes that parents who excessively shelter their children are robbing them of opportunities to build such skills. “What’s important is allowing young people to make mistakes. Because we learn from our mistakes."
Resilience and ADHD
Since we are all vulnerable to the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, as the Bard reminds us, we all require competency in resilience to truly thrive. For those diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), developing such skills can take on additional salience. Dr. Arnold explains that ADHD presents as “inattentive, hyperactive, impulsive, and combined [a combination].” Dr. Arnold’s nearly 55 years of experience in child psychiatric research includes the multi-site National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD (commonly known as “the MTA”). While there are two types of medications available to treat those with ADHD—stimulants, and a class of non-stimulants—only about two-thirds of patients respond to either. Given this, Dr. Arnold has researched alternative treatments (he conducted a zinc pilot study) and lifestyle changes and has worked on NIMH Multimodal Nutrients studies.
Many who suffer from ADHD struggle with executive function deficits, impulsiveness, and lack of emotional regulation. Dr. Arnold points to how these factors stymie the robust development of resilience, making an already tough task even tougher. Along with medication, exercise, and nutrition, there are some video games that have been designed to help practice executive functions. Perhaps the impetus for doing so was to make developing cognitive skills more amenable to youth. (Dr. Arnold is careful to note that there has been no solid evidence of their efficacy yet.) But it’s not all dread and deficit. In his experience, Dr. Arnold has observed that many with ADHD excel at jobs “that require one to adapt to the new situations." In fact, many with the condition thrive on novelty.
“Your body has to be in top condition. Your chess deteriorates as your body does. You can’t separate body and mind. ”
– Bobby Fisher (former World Chess Champion)
The Rise of Chess and Mental Health Awareness
Jung Kwak
The game of chess contains a pocket universe of novelty in its roughly 10 to the 40th power possible permutations (what is known as the Shannon Number, though more recent mathematical analysis places the upper limit lower—it’s still a mind-boggling number). From the eccentric American chess genius Bobby Fischer to the fictional Beth Harmon of Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit, the game’s protagonists are often associated with mental health struggles. Fischer was likely on the autism spectrum, while Harmon is an autistic-coded character. Yet, when OTB (“over the board”), they exemplify the highest levels of strategic thinking, foresight, and emotional regulation. Their cognitive and socio-emotional deficits are set in relief to their stratospheric performance. One likely forged in the travails of resilience-building.
Dr. Beresin—no stranger to media himself, having consulted on shows like ER, Law and Order SVU, as well as several Emmy Award-Winning HBO specials—acknowledges the value of playing chess as you’re engaged with another person. “You're aware of what the possibilities are and how your behavior affects them. You know, from eye contact to nonverbal communication… and you're using a lot of these skills that I was talking about [engagement and awareness], you're using your cognition, you're using your emotions, you're attempting to predict what this other person is going to do based on their past performance.”
Dr. Beresin observes that chess enhances self-awareness, allowing players to recognize their motivations and emotional states, such as insecurity. Observing others play chess or competitive games reveals the importance of understanding both one's weaknesses and strengths. This insight leads to greater resilience in performance. While anxiety is common among performers, from seasoned professionals on stage to chess players, a moderate level of anxiety can be beneficial. However, performance declines when anxiety becomes excessive.
“So,” Dr. Beresin sums up, “I think chess is a very good example of capturing all of these elements that go into play with resilience.”
“Chess is a miniature version of life. To be successful, you need to be disciplined, assess resources, consider responsible choices, and adjust when circumstances change.”
—Susan Polgar (former Women’s World Chess Champion)
Chess and Growth
Elite chess players’ brains are different from those of mere mortals like us, as are the brains of, say, London taxi drivers. This doesn’t mean that most, if not all, of us wouldn’t benefit from engaging in the game of chess. As noted above, it’s a safe space to hone key components of resilience: strategic thinking, foresight, emotional regulation, learning from your losses, and persisting in the face of setbacks.
Dr. Beresin endorses the PERMA approach, emphasizing Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishments as key well-being principles. While these elements don't guarantee complete health, they are crucial for resilience.
Moreover, resilience involves a growth mindset, incorporating aspects such as sleep, nutrition, and exercise. The work environment also plays a significant role, including physical, social, and cultural aspects, along with economic security. Having most of these elements, he says, is vital for resilience.
“The great thing about chess is it's a game for oneself. You don't work on what you can't control, you just work on yourself. And I think if more people did that, we'd all be a lot better off.”
—Daniel Naroditsky (chess educator and commentator)
The Criticality of Attention Control in ADHD
ADHD presents a unique challenge in mental health due to its diverse symptomatology. Dr. Arnold points out the complexity of diagnosing ADHD, noting that individuals with the disorder may not share any symptoms due to the broad criteria for diagnosis. For instance, one person may exhibit symptoms of inattention without any hyperactivity or impulsivity, while another might display just the opposite. This variability means two people with the same ADHD diagnosis can have entirely different experiences.
Attention control is a critical issue in ADHD, involving two main functions: the ability to maintain focus on desired tasks and the capacity to shift attention when necessary. Some individuals struggle particularly with this “shift” function, finding it difficult to disengage from activities that provide a dopamine surge, such as engaging in video games. This challenge is not just about focusing too little but also about focusing too much or being unable to transition smoothly between activities—a problem often shared by individuals with autism.
Dr. Arnold also highlights the developmental lag in attention span among people with ADHD, which can place them several years behind their peers in terms of attentional capacity. This discrepancy can lead to misunderstandings and unmet societal expectations, as people often overlook the inattentive presentation of ADHD, focusing instead on the more recognized combined or hyperactive-impulsive types. Understanding the nuances of attention control and the developmental aspects of ADHD can inform more effective support and interventions for individuals with this condition.
Incorporating the insights from Dr. Arnold on ADHD and attention control with findings from recent research on video gaming and cognition offers a deeper understanding of attentional dynamics. A study examining "League of Legends" players found significant cognitive differences between experts, regular players, and non-players, particularly in visuospatial working memory and attention control. Expert gamers outperformed both regular players and non-players in working memory tests, and all players demonstrated superior attention compared to non-players.
These insights suggest that tailored interventions, possibly incorporating elements from video gaming, could offer novel approaches for enhancing attention and resilience in individuals with ADHD, while acknowledging the nuanced spectrum of symptoms and the importance of personalized mental health strategies. (Indeed, engaging in regular chess practice helps protect against such conditions as dementia, according to this study.)
“You need to motivate yourself, no matter what-definitely when things are bad, but also when things are good. Or else, you risk becoming complacent.”
—Viswanathan Anand (former World Chess Champion)
From Chess-Curious to Chess-Able
Chess, with its unique cognitive demands, emerges as a powerful ally in developing resilience, attention control, and emotional regulation. We invite you to reflect on your own experiences with chess and resilience. How has the game influenced your mental health and coping strategies? New to the game? It’s never too late, or early, to learn. Like the fictional Beth Harmon or The Great Carlini in the video below, your journey can inspire others and contribute to a deeper understanding of resilience and mental health.
If You're Struggling Too, Never Give Up! Never Surrender!
A Message From The Great Carlini
Play/Learn Chess Now:
https://www.chess.com/play/online
Watch Chess Made Fun:
American Super-GM Hikaru Nakamura: https://kick.com/gmhikaru
Chess edutainment by Canadian GMs Eric Hansen and Aman Hambleton: https://kick.com/chessbrah
The Botez Sisters: https://www.twitch.tv/botezlive
FM Anna Cramling, Spanish-Swedish YouTuber and daughter of https://www.youtube.com/@AnnaCramling
GM James Canty: https://www.twitch.tv/gmcanty
IM Levy Rozman: GothamChess
Coffee Chess, where good-natured trash talking and community thrive: https://www.youtube.com/c/CoffeeChess
Mini-Guide to Resilience: Key Points
Cognitive Challenges and Emotional Regulation: Engaging in complex activities like chess enhances cognitive skills and emotional control.
Understanding ADHD and Attention Control: Recognizing the diverse symptoms of ADHD and the importance of attention management in resilience.
Growth Mindset: Adopting a perspective focused on learning and development to navigate challenges effectively.
Tailored Mental Health Strategies: Implementing personalized approaches to mental wellness, considering individual differences.
Holistic Approach: Combining traditional methods with innovative strategies to foster mental resilience and overall well-being.
Mental Health Resources:
https://chadd.org/ | CHADD - Improving the lives of people affected by ADHD
https://www.mghclaycenter.org/ | Mental Health Education | Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds
https://www.mghclaycenter.org/multimedia/podcasts/ | Podcast Archives - Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds
https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/mental-health-resources/ | Mental Health Resources - Mental Health First Aid
https://www.nami.org/Home | Home | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness