user3359: I played chess when I was a child, but never got into it seriously (I didn't know it was possible at that age). Nowadays I'm playing regularly as a hobby and I'm interested in how this can affect my performance in other aspects of my life (specially in my job as a mathematician and a computer scientist).
Now I know it is highly beneficial to play chess as a child but I wonder if there is any research showing any benefit from learning chess as an adult (it's obvious that professional players and even amateur players are intelligent and have developed amazing mental skills... but they usually start playing at an early age).
Also, what different approaches could an adult take to learn chess? (if there is any research about it).

user-1: My case is a bit particular as I have Asperger Disorder, but I returned to chess as an adult after leaving it at 10 years old and I could say it might have saved my life. I would say I might not have graduated without chess. It improved my concentration when studying for exams, but it also taught me not to be so impulsive, which has helped me in most facets of life. 

About your particular case, as mathematician you might improve your speed in calculus, especially if you do tactics exercises (a needed step, answering your second question), as well as have some other medical benefits like those related to Alzheimer's.
Understanding positional chess and strategy may also encourage your brain to better solve abstract math problems.
It might be positive for your profession and help you not to lose capabilities, as, note it, most of Science's extraordinary discoveries and works are done at a young age (around 25/30) and we all lose capabilities with age. 
Also, if you reach a level to compete you can go to a club and socialize, which is always nice for health and happiness. 
So if you like and enjoy the game, be sure it has some benefits for your brain and your health in general. 

user19285: From my own expierence , I started learn chess in my 50's.  I also have dyscalcula (fancy word, it just means I don't visualize numbers so they get jumbled up for me, like how a dyslexic gets when they try to read words ).
Chess is teaching my to watch the entire board, note how my actions can affect the actions of another,  also notice how one action can have far-reaching consequences, like playing the wrong chess piece the wrong way (kinda like the chaos theory! ).  
It helps me to understand that if I want to win, I have to look at the big picture (opponents set up, potential moves, can they check me , my set up , my potential moves, can I check them ) all at the same time,   and on top of that, it's never the same game twice so I can't play on memory, I have to adjust every single time.
.......AND it's great fun too!!
Just my two cents!

user1967: The benefit I like the most (I'm almost 60) is that it prevents, or slows down the onset of,  Alzheimer's disease.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/24/opinion/checkmating-alzheimer-s.html
http://gambit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/07/can-playing-chess-prevent-alzheimers/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

user18809: I think you are asking the wrong question. There's been recently a lot of (horrible?) marketing relating chess to Alzheimer's disease prevention, abstract reasoning skill improvement and so on. While this is all great, and very interesting from a scientific point of view, I'll say it's irrelevant!
The reason for that is that nobody plays chess because it's good for them. People play chess because they enjoy it, regardless of whether it serves them for any further purpose or not. By the way, pretty much any hobby you can think of has some type of benefit, and by choosing chess, you are therefore harming yourself in some way! The same principle applies to people who go to the gym. Either you enjoy your training our you will eventually quit.. And if you enjoy your training, then why do you need it to be beneficial?
With regards to the "which approach to choose for learning", just forget about research! If your goal is to play better chess, no scientist in the world can give you the domain-knowledge of an actual experienced chess coach... But you don't even need to hire a coach at all! Just learn by doing! Play a few games, analyse them (by yourself, not with a chess engine) and if you want to train some specific aspect, the best thing you can do is focus on the ones you will actually enjoy training!
In summary, chess will have an impact on your intellectual skills. But you have to achieve that as a side-effect, not as a target

3359: <p>I played chess when I was a child, but never got into it seriously (I didn't know it was possible at that age). Nowadays I'm playing regularly as a hobby and I'm interested in how this can affect my performance in other aspects of my life (specially in my job as a mathematician and a computer scientist).</p>

<p>Now I know it is highly beneficial to play chess as a child but I wonder if there is any research showing any benefit from learning chess as an adult (it's obvious that professional players and even amateur players are intelligent and have developed amazing mental skills... but they usually start playing at an early age).</p>

<p>Also, what different approaches could an adult take to learn chess? (if there is any research about it).</p>
 -1: <p>My case is a bit particular as I have Asperger Disorder, but I returned to chess as an adult after leaving it at 10 years old and I could say it might have saved my life. I would say I might not have graduated without chess. It improved my concentration when studying for exams, but it also taught me not to be so impulsive, which has helped me in most facets of life. </p>

<hr>

<p>About your particular case, as mathematician you might improve your speed in calculus, especially if you do tactics exercises (a needed step, answering your second question), as well as have some other medical benefits like those related to Alzheimer's.</p>

<p>Understanding positional chess and strategy may also encourage your brain to better solve abstract math problems.</p>

<p>It might be positive for your profession and help you not to lose capabilities, as, note it, most of Science's extraordinary discoveries and works are done at a young age (around 25/30) and we all lose capabilities with age. </p>

<p>Also, if you reach a level to compete you can go to a club and socialize, which is always nice for health and happiness. </p>

<p>So if you like and enjoy the game, be sure it has some benefits for your brain and your health in general. </p>
 19285: <p>From my own expierence , I started learn chess in my 50's.  I also have dyscalcula (fancy word, it just means I don't visualize numbers so they get jumbled up for me, like how a dyslexic gets when they try to read words ).
Chess is teaching my to watch the entire board, note how my actions can affect the actions of another,  also notice how one action can have far-reaching consequences, like playing the wrong chess piece the wrong way (kinda like the chaos theory! ).  </p>

<p>It helps me to understand that if I want to win, I have to look at the big picture (opponents set up, potential moves, can they check me , my set up , my potential moves, can I check them ) all at the same time,   and on top of that, it's never the same game twice so I can't play on memory, I have to adjust every single time.</p>

<p>.......AND it's great fun too!!
Just my two cents!</p>
 1967: <p>The benefit I like the most (I'm almost 60) is that it prevents, or slows down the onset of,  Alzheimer's disease.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/24/opinion/checkmating-alzheimer-s.html" rel="noreferrer">http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/24/opinion/checkmating-alzheimer-s.html</a></p>

<p><a href="http://gambit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/07/can-playing-chess-prevent-alzheimers/?_php=true&amp;_type=blogs&amp;_r=0" rel="noreferrer">http://gambit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/07/can-playing-chess-prevent-alzheimers/?_php=true&amp;_type=blogs&amp;_r=0</a></p>
 18809: <p>I think you are asking the wrong question. There's been recently a lot of (horrible?) marketing relating chess to Alzheimer's disease prevention, abstract reasoning skill improvement and so on. While this is all great, and very interesting from a scientific point of view, I'll say it's irrelevant!</p>

<p>The reason for that is that nobody plays chess because it's good for them. People play chess because they enjoy it, regardless of whether it serves them for any further purpose or not. By the way, pretty much any hobby you can think of has some type of benefit, and by choosing chess, you are therefore harming yourself in some way! The same principle applies to people who go to the gym. Either you enjoy your training our you will eventually quit.. And if you enjoy your training, then why do you need it to be beneficial?</p>

<p>With regards to the "which approach to choose for learning", just forget about research! If your goal is to play better chess, no scientist in the world can give you the domain-knowledge of an actual experienced chess coach... But you don't even need to hire a coach at all! Just learn by doing! Play a few games, analyse them (by yourself, not with a chess engine) and if you want to train some specific aspect, the best thing you can do is focus on the ones you will actually enjoy training!</p>

<p>In summary, chess will have an impact on your intellectual skills. But you have to achieve that as a side-effect, not as a target</p>
