Empowering NC Senior Centers: Launching Chess Clubs with Cognitive and Social Benefits

Did you know that August 21 is National Senior Citizens Day? Although we’re not quite ready to say goodbye to spring and usher in the dog days of summer, we’re already celebrating the chess achievements of older Americans who are enjoying the benefits of the game at some of our local senior centers. 

“Challenging the brain sustains the brain,” says Dr. Gerald M. Levitt. While we know that board games are good for cognitive stimulation, the health benefits of chess are in a league of their own. “Lifestyle Enrichment in Later Life and Its Association with Dementia Risk,” a 2023 article in JAMA, reports that “the cognitive stimulation from [playing chess] can increase resilience against brain pathologies by increasing the number of neurons, enhancing synaptic activity, and permitting higher efficiency in using brain networks.”

In fact, playing chess lowers the risk of dementia even more than reading does due to its trifecta combination of logical reasoning, critical thinking, and social interaction. And, according to the American Psychological Association, playing chess also decreases depression and anxiety in older adults. To that end, US Chess has partnered with Grouper, a Medicare Advantage benefit which may extend your membership to US Chess for a year for free. Read more here.

Northern Wake Senior Center (NWSC) in Wake Forest, the first senior center to apply for our Game Changer program, has leveraged our grant to start a chess club, offer classes, and even host tournaments. Brian, a member of the Center who has taught three beginner and one intermediate class so far, said that one of the main reasons his students want to learn the game is so they can play with their grandkids. Over the past year the Center has hosted six tournaments open to all ages. In March, 8 and 12-year old chess prodigies participated with the seniors, and April’s tournament found 22 folks taking up the challenge. Brian also said that the NWSC is currently considering hosting the 2025 NC Super Senior Tournament. 

If you’d like to start a chess club at your NC Senior Center or retirement community, consider applying for one of our grants.