Intelligence Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Intelligence, including details on iq, testing, nature vs nurture, cognition.

How intellectual is chess? -- a reply to Howard.

Bilalic M, McLeod P

University of Oxford, UK.

Howard's (2005) claim that male dominance in chess is 'consistent with the evolutionary psychology view that males predominate at high achievement levels at least partly because of ability differences' (p. 378) is based on the premise that top level chess skill depends on a high level of IQ and visuospatial abilities. This premise is not supported by empirical evidence. In 1927 Djakow et al. first showed that world-class chess players do not have exceptional intellectual abilities. This finding has subsequently been confirmed many times. Different participation rates, or differences in the amount of practice, motivation and interest for chess in male and female chess players, may provide a better explanation for gender differences in chess performance.

Published 14 April 2006 in J Biosoc Sci, 38(3): 419-21.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Intelligence Research Today. All Rights Reserved.