Chess and Psychotherapy

Chess therapy is now used by numerous psychiatrists and psychotherapists. It has become a popular creative psychotherapy technique in the past 20 years. This therapy has been known to produce positive results with children who have ADHD, and neurobehavioral disorders.

Chess therapy is a form used to form bonds between the psychiatrist and his/her clients. It is an alternate diagnosis for neurobehavioral and mental issues that a client may suffer from. Chess therapy helps in cultivating an intentional rapport and connection between the psychotherapist and his patient to help him through any psychological or emotional problems that he may be facing. Unlike other forms of therapy, chess therapy does not require the patient to lie down on a couch and pour his heart out to his therapist. Chess therapy involves active participation from both parties―the client as well as the therapist―to engage in a game of chess.

Chess therapy was founded as early as AD 852-932 by a certain Dr. Rhazes who was chief physician at Baghdad Hospital. Dr. Rhazes uses chess strategies and tactics as metaphors in real life to help patients think clearer.

Wikepedia reported, "One of the earliest reported cases of chess therapy involves the improvement in an isolated, schizoid, 16-year old youth that took place after he became interested in chess. Chess provided an outlet for his hostile impulses in a non-retaliatory manner. Good use was made of the patient's digressions from the game and his newly acquired ability to speak about his feelings, fantasies and dreams which the particular emotional situation of the game touched off. The report demonstrates how the fact that chess is a game, and not real, enabled the patient to exert some conscious control over his feelings and thus learn to master them to a limited extent."

Findings showed that chess as psychotherapy can lead to better doctor-patient relationships, confirmatory or alternate diagnosis, and total recovery/healing.

Manny's Therapy

My fellow Filipino, Manny Pacquaio, world boxing champion, is a sportsman who uses chess as therapy. He plays well even in this game, besting some of our best players around. Appreciative of the game, he supported international and national chess tournaments in our country.

The other day, I was talking to one of his aides in Congress (he's also a congressman!) inside a television studio. He said Manny was even able to beat a grandmaster during a tournament in his Forbes home! Before crucial boxing matches, I was told he'd play chess in the dugouts behind the ring.

The best thing about chess therapy is that it's for all. No one really need to suffer from any significant mental or emotional problems to enjoy the benefits of it. A game of chess can be played even at home, to completely relax and energize yourself. It improves your concentration, but also strengthen the bond you share with people around you.

Congrats, Magnus!

As I write this, Magnus Carlsen has just recently become the new World Chess Champion. He is the youngest ever at age 22. People call him the "Mozart of Chess."

Congrats, Magnus!

Playing Chess With Women

According to Dr. Sigmund Freud, founder of psychoanalysis, there is, in males especially, the psychological “unconscious conflict” of “murdering the father.” In chess therapy, the game is believed to serve a defensive containment purpose to better manage the said unconscious tendency. While playing, the therapist may then use chess metaphors to provide fitting intervention to the internal distresses of the patient.

Chess is generally dominated by males. But nowadays, there is an increasing number of excellent or world-class female chess players and grandmasters like the Polgar sisters of Hungary. Can the “murdering the father” theory from the chess unconscious apply to women players too? Personally, I believe there could be other factors (e.g. art) involved on why women would play chess or how they’d view the King in the chess play space.

I tried chess with my daughter, Angel, when she was younger. After teaching her the basics, I eventually enrolled her in a chess tournament where she surprisingly won a medal. I noticed that, when she played chess with me, our conversations turned to fun and she’d play impulsively unable to tolerate waiting. That became an avenue for me then to teach her an important life lesson in the atmosphere and metaphors of play therapy.

Possibly, chess can be used as an adjunct to women psychotherapy. If a troubled woman is comfortable in expressing her self and her issues in playing chess, then the game could be incorporated in the sessions.

Mike Tyson Plays Chess With Muhammad Ali

World boxing champs Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali in a chess duel?  Uhmm, here's proof:

http://youtu.be/CJY8YQKFjfo

Mike Tyson, amidst his fame and luxuries in life, once confessed, "I'm bored."  Recently, he launched a TV program entitled "Being: Mike Tyson."

A Life Lesson

Often, to learn from His moves.

Chess as Mood Therapy in Hospital

Associated Press reported that chess is being used at Siteman Cancer Center and Washington University School of Medicine.


Here's its short news article, 2009:

"A chess-playing program designed to brighten the lives of cancer patients and their caregivers will be offered soon in St. Louis. The Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine will offer 'Chess for Life' beginning Oct. 9. The program was developed in conjunction with the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.

'Chess for Life' was inspired by Siteman Cancer Center patient Jim Corbett, who found that his mood improved when he began playing chess. Corbett died last December. The program is a tribute to him."