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Effects of Caffeine on Chess Performance and Cognitive Function in Professional Chess Players
Sponsor: St. Louis University
Summary
This study will examine whether caffeine improves cognitive and competitive performance in professional chess players during tournament-style games. In a randomized double-blind crossover design, participants will complete two experimental sessions in which they consume either caffeinated coffee or decaffeinated coffee before playing a standardized chess match. Cognitive performance will be assessed using attention and reaction-time tests, including the Stroop Test, Trail Making Test, and Puzzle Rush task. Chess performance outcomes such as move accuracy, time management, and error rates will also be evaluated. The study aims to determine whether moderate caffeine intake enhances focus, alertness, and decision-making during prolonged competitive chess play.
Official title: GRANDMASTER: Gauging the Role of Alertness and Neurostimulation With Dietary Caffeine in Master-Level Chess; A Double-Blind Randomized Crossover Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 50 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
12
Start Date
2026-08-25
Completion Date
2027-08-30
Last Updated
2026-09-30
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Caffeinated Coffee
Black caffeinated coffee prepared from 15 g of ground coffee brewed in 200 g of water, providing approximately 100 mg of caffeine. The beverage will be consumed approximately 30 minutes before cognitive testing and tournament-style chess gameplay.
Decaffeinated Coffee Placebo
Black decaffeinated coffee prepared from the same batch of coffee beans and matched for taste and appearance to the caffeinated condition. The beverage will be consumed approximately 30 minutes before cognitive testing and tournament-style chess gameplay.
Locations (1)
Saint Louis University
St Louis, Missouri, United States