Name: Mahadevappa S N & C Venkatesh
Country: India

Year: 2026
Volume: Volume-11, (Special Issue: March 2026)
Page Number: 43-48
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19219035

ABSTRACT
The present study examines selected psychological and mental health variables among chess players and non-chess players based on a comparative framework. A total of 200 university students (100 chess players and 100 non-chess players) aged 18–26 years from Karnataka State Law University were included in the study. The variables analyzed included intelligence, reaction time, attention, reasoning ability, personality traits, and mental health. Standardized psychological tools such as Raven’s Progressive Matrices, Reaction Time Apparatus, Logical Reasoning Test, Eysenck Personality Inventory, and Youth Mental Health measures were used for assessment. Comparative statistical
analysis indicated that chess players demonstrated relatively higher mean scores in intelligence, attention, and reasoning ability, along with faster reaction time and better mental health indicators compared to non-chess players. The results suggest that participation in chess as a mind sport may be associated with favourable cognitive and psychological characteristics among youth participants. The study highlights the relevance of cognitive sports within sports psychology and youth development
perspectives and supports the inclusion of mind sports in institutional sports and educational frameworks.

Keywords: Chess players; Psychological variables; Mental health; Mind sports; Youth development