A mind sport is a sport or a game of skill where the mental component is more significant than the physical.

 

Such games which include chess, checkers, darts and dominoes are not only fun and enjoyable but they promote good mental health and social skills

 

Mind games challenge the brain and trains the mind and this improves memory, cognitive ability, thinking, reaction time and many other skills that are essential for development and growth.  A simple game of checkers, chess, or draughts are the keys to unlocking thinking skills and can promote healthy brain function in the elderly, and stimulate brain development in younger children.

 

Checkers is an age old game that requires a lot of strategy to be good at, but little to play and it keeps you thinking logically and encourages critical thinking. Children who are exposed to playing checkers at an early age tend to show more potential in school.

Chess is another great board game that forces immense thinking skills and it is now becoming a popular game at some schools that participate in inter-school chess tournaments.

 

Being a good player means recalling the moves of your opponent and problem solving skills and this leads to better organizational skills in children, better memory and improve concentration.   Numerous studies of students in the U.S., Russia, China, and elsewhere showed that the intense concentration that the game demands improves young people's ability to focus.

 

Another study of 4,000 Venezuelan students produced significant rises in the IQ scores of both boys and girls after 4 months of chess instruction.

 

There are obviously many benefits from getting involved in mind sports, most of which are inexpensive and easily available.