user109: Have there been any studies on using chess for therapy?
If so, what conditions or illnesses have benefited most from using chess as a therapy? Are there certain conditions or illnesses were it has actually been more stressful?

user3456: There is a professional chess therapist out there.
http://web.archive.org/web/20170105171446/http://szachoterapia.pl/kontakt.html
NOTE: the original link is dead, and the website is only available on the Wayback Machine in Polish.
Let me quote the overview of her ideas from her website:

chess is the bridge between the therapist and the world of the kid
action on the board serves as an ice-breaker and stimulates the conversation
initially the therapist plays passively and observes the child
only much later the therapist raises the stress level by more active play
this kind of interaction at the chessboard serves as a diagnostic tool
the core of the method: new behaviors learned in chess transfer to the kid's real life
chess therapy ignores correct chess from the competitive point of view


user967: Friends I really had an ill-fated childhood as one of my close relative was acute alcoholic and I had severe mental disorders like OCD and Social Anxiety. However with the help of caring people like parents and treatment in a international Bangalore based Deemed University today I walk free from the shackles of mental illness. I play chess for earning and I play it in India. No I am not that much successful and my ELO Rating is below  1800 but I enjoy playing the game . Though initially I had some problems regarding the physical aspect of competitive chess today with proper diet and exercise I have overcome that. Thankfully my chess coach is understanding and due to my exposure to life, chess has given me a new view  to life. High level competitive chess is helping me to do my other works nicely as it is helping me to have a definite goal and structured thinking pattern. Obviously I do not practice for hours as that can be detrimental but I do practice for about 7-8 hours weekly. I know that to do well  I should practice a little more, say about 15-16 hours per week but not more than that as everyone's brain has its limitations. Chess has really empowered me and due to the fact that I can count my blessings(that at least I am winning some games) I am happy with my life. Thank you chess.

user787: Chess is especially great for men. As you may know, when men are stressed out by really big problems it helps to divert their attention to a hobby. That way they can be working to solve smaller problems. People say chess makes you think hard. I think the guys who play it actually want to relax. It's like watching football.

"But I play chess to not think."
--CLUB PLAYER

For me it becomes very zen, especially when just playing with my friends. In America our attitude is very task oriented or goal focused. When you're playing with a friend and you've got the game all wrapped up, it's more about being there. Asian cultures generally have this attitude. It's about the experience of the leaves, the air, the black tea, or the fountain behind you. The friendly curiosity of girls walking by on their way to class. Maybe the encouragement of a few spectators gathered around your board to watch.

user838: I am not an expert, but an active chess player at chess.com and participate in its forums. Yes, chess can be therapeutic. Playing chess involves co-ordination of different mental abilities like strategy, tactics, intuition, visual imagery, risk analysis, control of emotions, etc. Actively playing chess everyday keeps the mind sharp and attentive. In most cases, it has also shown improvements in mental conditions like ADHD, OCD, Depression, etc.
However, over indulgence into anything is bad and playing compulsively over long duration can effect the individual's thought process. Many schizophrenic persons who play chess start visualizing everything including this life, its people and events as chess moves. If the connection with chess is too deep, real life relations with people are affected. These studies are not confirmed, and are said to be more like "adding order to chaos" from schizophrenic mind's perspective.

109: <p>Have there been any studies on using chess for therapy?</p>

<p>If so, what conditions or illnesses have benefited most from using chess as a therapy? Are there certain conditions or illnesses were it has actually been more stressful?</p>
 3456: <p>There is a professional chess therapist out there.</p>

<p><a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20170105171446/http://szachoterapia.pl/kontakt.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://web.archive.org/web/20170105171446/http://szachoterapia.pl/kontakt.html</a></p>

<p>NOTE: the <a href="http://chess-therapy.org" rel="nofollow noreferrer">original link</a> is dead, and the website is only available on the Wayback Machine in Polish.</p>

<p>Let me quote the overview of her ideas from her website:</p>

<ul>
<li>chess is the bridge between the therapist and the world of the kid</li>
<li>action on the board serves as an ice-breaker and stimulates the conversation</li>
<li>initially the therapist plays passively and observes the child</li>
<li>only much later the therapist raises the stress level by more active play</li>
<li>this kind of interaction at the chessboard serves as a diagnostic tool</li>
<li>the core of the method: new behaviors learned in chess transfer to the kid's real life</li>
<li>chess therapy ignores correct chess from the competitive point of view</li>
</ul>
 967: <p>Friends I really had an ill-fated childhood as one of my close relative was acute alcoholic and I had severe mental disorders like OCD and Social Anxiety. However with the help of caring people like parents and treatment in a international Bangalore based Deemed University today I walk free from the shackles of mental illness. I play chess for earning and I play it in India. No I am not that much successful and my ELO Rating is below  1800 but I enjoy playing the game . Though initially I had some problems regarding the physical aspect of competitive chess today with proper diet and exercise I have overcome that. Thankfully my chess coach is understanding and due to my exposure to life, chess has given me a new view  to life. High level competitive chess is helping me to do my other works nicely as it is helping me to have a definite goal and structured thinking pattern. Obviously I do not practice for hours as that can be detrimental but I do practice for about 7-8 hours weekly. I know that to do well  I should practice a little more, say about 15-16 hours per week but not more than that as everyone's brain has its limitations. Chess has really empowered me and due to the fact that I can count my blessings(that at least I am winning some games) I am happy with my life. Thank you chess.</p>
 787: <p>Chess is especially great for men. <a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/006016848X" rel="noreferrer">As you may know,</a> when men are stressed out by really big problems it helps to divert their attention to a hobby. That way they can be working to solve smaller problems. People say chess makes you think hard. I think the guys who play it actually want to relax. It's like watching football.</p>

<blockquote>
  <h2>"But I play chess to not think."</h2>
  
  <p>--CLUB PLAYER</p>
</blockquote>

<p>For me it becomes very zen, especially when just playing with my friends. In America our attitude is very task oriented or goal focused. When you're playing with a friend and you've got the game all wrapped up, it's more about being there. Asian cultures generally have this attitude. It's about the experience of the leaves, the air, the black tea, or the fountain behind you. The friendly curiosity of girls walking by on their way to class. Maybe the encouragement of a few spectators gathered around your board to watch.</p>
 838: <p>I am not an expert, but an active chess player at <a href="https://www.chess.com" rel="nofollow noreferrer">chess.com</a> and participate in its forums. Yes, chess can be therapeutic. Playing chess involves co-ordination of different mental abilities like strategy, tactics, intuition, visual imagery, risk analysis, control of emotions, etc. Actively playing chess everyday keeps the mind sharp and attentive. In most cases, it has also shown improvements in mental conditions like ADHD, OCD, Depression, etc.</p>

<p>However, over indulgence into anything is bad and playing compulsively over long duration can effect the individual's thought process. Many schizophrenic persons who play chess start visualizing everything including this life, its people and events as chess moves. If the connection with chess is too deep, real life relations with people are affected. These studies are not confirmed, and are said to be more like "adding order to chaos" from schizophrenic mind's perspective.</p>
