| If the title seems a little odd and you're thinking that | | | | of other activities that require a great deal of |
| there is some snake oil being sold here, you might | | | | thought. It is believed that chess is one of the best |
| want to read what comes next before you make | | | | ways to keep the mind active. In an MS patient, this |
| any judgments. Chess can actually help slow such | | | | can literally add years to their lives, even though MS |
| terrible diseases as MS and Alzheimer's. What follows | | | | in itself is not fatal. |
| will try to explain why, in simple terms that even non | | | | For Alzheimer's patients, this mental activity is even |
| medical people can understand. | | | | more important as this disease swiftly takes the |
| Chess is probably one of the most difficult games in | | | | patient's memory from him. By actively playing a |
| the world to play. Not because it is physically | | | | game of chess, the patient is forced not only to |
| demanding but because of the amount of brain | | | | remember how each piece moves but also what |
| power it takes to play the game well. Chess requires | | | | openings, middle games and end games to play in a |
| you to make a number of moves, at least in | | | | certain situation. The encyclopedia of knowledge that |
| tournament play, in a certain amount of time. With | | | | a person needs to posses in order to play a |
| the infinite number of moves available to a player, | | | | competent game of chess is vast. The longer this |
| especially as the game progresses, this becomes no | | | | person is able to retain this knowledge the longer he |
| small task. Some of the greatest minds of our time | | | | will be able to retain knowledge and memories of |
| become extremely fatigued in the latter stages of a | | | | other things in his life. This ultimately leads to the |
| chess game, especially if the game goes beyond 40 | | | | person stalling the course of the disease, at least for |
| moves, which many games do. In order to continue | | | | a time. |
| play at the highest level at this stage of the game | | | | Please understand, chess is not a magic cure. |
| requires amazing concentration. | | | | Eventually these diseases will take all of those who |
| So how exactly does this help people who suffer | | | | suffer from them. But in engaging in a thought |
| from MS and Alzheimer's and other neurological | | | | producing game like chess, the person can at least |
| diseases? | | | | enjoy as much of his later years while living with their |
| Studies have shown that people who suffer from | | | | illness as possible. Not only that, but in the process |
| these diseases in general are less likely to suffer | | | | they will be engaging in a game that is enjoyable, |
| from a swift deterioration of the disease if they are | | | | gives one a sense of accomplishment and is |
| mentally very active. This activity can take the form | | | | unequalled by any game in this world as far as |
| of many things, such as doing crossword puzzles, | | | | prestige. |
| math problems, computer programming and a number | | | | It's what they call going out with honor. |