A Study on the Correlation between Intelligence and Spatial Orientation in Children Who Practice Chess at School

Abstract

The game of chess requires many hours of training in order to achieve the title of FIDE Master. The complex nature of the game requires higher cognitive skills and implicitly helps their development. We selected 2 third grade classes that have a total number of 67 pupils. They were assessed initially and finally to measure the intelligence quotient (I.Q.) and the level of spatial orientation. For testing the I.Q., we used the Raven Progressive Matrix and for the level of spatial orientation, the Bender-Santucci test. To check if the progress is statistically significant, we used paired samples t-test and calculated Cohen's d to quantify how large the difference between the two tests is. We performed a simple linear regression between intelligence and spatial orientation to see if the intelligence quotient is a predictor of the level of spatial orientation. We discover an upward regression line between I.Q. and spatial orientation. In conclusion, the level of spatial orientation can be improved through chess and this will positively influence the student's academic progress.