I’m a Chess Addict and Proud!

As a neurodivergent person dealing with:

• Impulse control and

• Sustained attention challenges,

Chess has become one of my favorite tools. It’s a strategy game that helps with:

• Planning

• Thinking under pressure, and

• Executive functioning

Especially under time conditions. Sound familiar to work projects and deadlines?

My Journey with Chess

When I started, I expected instant benefits. It took years, but it gradually improved my thinking in sequences instead of scattered thoughts.

My scattered thinking still shines for brainstorming ideas and concepts, divergent thinking, but during focused work time? Chess has helped a tonne.

Key Benefits I’ve Experienced:

1) Impulse Control & Patience 

You can’t rush moves without consequences! This builds self-regulation and reduces hyperactivity.

A 2023 randomized trial found that chess-based training significantly improved emotional regulation and inattention in ADHD teens.

At work, it helps me slow down, review tasks, and catch mistakes I used to miss. Amazing what a few extra moments reveal.

2) Emotional Self-Regulation & Focus

Better impulse control means fewer blurting moments in meetings or open offices—reducing that "crazy interruptions" feeling and lowering burnout risk.

Research reviews confirm chess therapy effectively reduces overall ADHD symptom severity.

3) Pressure Management & Resilience 

Handling time controls trained me to stay calm under deadlines and recover gracefully from setbacks.

4) Strategic Planning & Decision-Making 

Thinking 3–5 moves ahead sharpened my ability to

• Prioritize workloads

• Plan career moves, and

• See the big picture

All countering time blindness on long-term goals.

5) The Dopamine Payoff

The best part for me is the dopamine I get when the planning (along with the setbacks) comes to fruition I.e. deadlines met, strong deliverables.

Being a strategic thinker has become my biggest neurodivergent asset.

Final Thoughts

They say, "The sign of a chess master is a sign of a wasted life." But for my neurodivergent challenges? I’m happy to keep cracking on. I’ve put my kids on it at school.

What about you? Have you tried chess? Start small, 10-15 minutes on an app works wonders. If chess is not your thing, share what works for you!

If you enjoyed this post, or know people who can benefit from it. Please spread the word. They can subscribe at neurodiversediary.io/subscribe

Lastly,

Stay Different,

The AuDHD Exec

Disclaimer: I am not your psychiatrist, coach, doctor. Neurodiverse Diary does not provide medical services or professional counselling and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Everything I publish represents my opinions, experience, not advice.